Boulder – Colorado defensive coordinator Ron Collins had a simple answer for why Baylor running back Paul Mosley was able to run 28 yards Saturday for the go-ahead touchdown in regulation.
He made a bad defensive call.
“The last running touchdown, that was on me,” Collins said. “I called a coverage that was more of a pass coverage. (Mosley) hit a seam, we missed a tackle. But I definitely could have called a better call.”
That score gave Baylor a 17-10 lead. Colorado came back to tie the game at 17 before losing 34-31 in three overtimes.
CU’s defense allowed 382 yards and a season-high 31 points to the Bears. Opponents have been increasingly able to score more against the CU defense, which started the season strong. Missouri scored 28 points last week.
Running back shuffle
Keeping to his word during the week, running backs coach Darian Hagan did not stick with Hugh Charles as the workhorse, instead spreading the carries among Charles, Mell Holliday and Byron Ellis.
Charles had 15 carries for 72 yards. Holliday had 11 carries for 65 yards, including a 32-yard touchdown. Ellis carried the ball eight times for 40 yards and a touchdown.
CU coach Dan Hawkins said he didn’t know if that type of rotation would carry into next week’s game against Texas Tech.
Wheatley plays big
Cornerback Terrance Wheatley continues to be the Buffs’ best defensive back. He had two interceptions Saturday, including one in the end zone to stop a Baylor scoring drive.
It was the first multiple interception game of his career. The junior has eight career interceptions, four this season.
Crosby up and down
It’s hard to ever fault kicker Mason Crosby, but he tongue-lashed himself after missing a 36-yard field-goal attempt in the third quarter.
“It was the worst shank I’ve ever hit,” he said.
Said Hawkins: “The ball he missed today was probably the first bad ball he hit in a practice or in a game, ever.”
Crosby was 1-for-2 on field goals Saturday. He is 8-for-13 on the season.
Footnotes
No new injuries were reported from CU. For next week against Tech, defensive end Alonzo Barrett (concussion) is probable; safety Ryan Walters (stinger) is probable; center Mark Fenton (broken fibula) is out; and cornerback Vance Washington had additional knee surgery. His season – and career – are likely over. … Abraham Wright recorded his seventh and eighth sacks of the season. … CU finished a season-best 8-of-17 on third-down conversions. … Fullback Maurice Cantrell and wide receiver Nick Holz made their first career starts.
