Boulder — Colorado’s running game against Florida State was a study in subtraction through addition.
The Buffs added two much-needed running backs to the stable — senior Hugh Charles returning from an injury and true freshman Brian Lockridge making his debut.
However, thanks to 66 lost yards, CU finished the 16-6 defeat by the Seminoles with minus-27 yards rushing. The last time FSU prevented an opponent from finishing in positive yardage came in 2004 against Alabama-Birmingham.
CU came in averaging 80.5 yards (3.0 per carry). Charles, injured on the first series of the season, started the game. On some drives Charles and Lockridge rotated with Demetrius Sumler, who was CU’s leading rusher with 14 yards.
Florida State’s swarming defense had a lot to do with CU’s struggles on the ground.
“Their D-line is probably the best part of their defense,” CU coach Dan Hawkins said.
Sumler, a redshirt freshman, came into the game Saturday with 32 of the 39 rushes by running backs.
Also getting on the field for the first time was CU freshman wide receiver Josh Smith. Although he earned the starting job from virtually the first day of camp, Smith had been sidelined by a bruised kidney. He had the big offensive play of the night with a 38-yard catch from Cody Hawkins.
Culture shock
Half an hour before kickoff, the tennis courts just northwest of the stadium were occupied by students taking advantage of the warm night. The courts were still full at halftime.
“I don’t think you’d see anyone playing tennis at a Florida State home game,” said one woman in FSU colors. Another visiting fan said: “The football atmosphere is totally different here.”
Joined in progress
The 8:15 p.m. start was the latest kickoff in Folsom Field history, but it wasn’t shown on the ESPN national telecast. By the time Alabama’s 41-38 victory over Arkansas concluded, the clock at Folsom showed 1:50 left in the first quarter.
Thin air
For all the fuss about kickoffs from the 30-yard line this season, FSU kicker Graham Gano will take it every day if he can kick at altitude. His first two kickoffs sailed out of the end zone. The third was caught 2 yards deep and returned to the 19. He also launched a career-best 55-yard punt.
Footnotes
Cody Hawkins’ third interception of the season was also the first pick by Florida State this fall. He was also picked off in the end zone on the Buffs’ final play with 3 seconds left in the game. CU had six scoreless quarters over two weeks before the late score in the fourth quarter, which was the first since the first quarter against Arizona State. The Buffs were shut out in the first quarter against FSU for the second time since 2003.
Staff writer Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
