Boulder – If Colorado was looking ahead to its Big 12 Conference opener next weekend against fourth-ranked Oklahoma, the Buffaloes sure did a good job Saturday of keeping their feet on the ground at the same time.
Finally getting its running game going, Colorado (2-2) tuned up for the Sooners with a 42-0 laugher over Miami (Ohio) that brought smiles to CU players working on both sides of the ball.
“This was really good for the guys,” CU quarterback Cody Hawkins said after throwing for 275 yards and two touchdowns, with two interceptions. “But we know Miami isn’t Oklahoma.”
Heck, even Miami of Florida isn’t Oklahoma. But at least this game served as an almost perfect tuneup. A Folsom Field crowd of 45,243 watched Colorado post its first shutout since a 34-0 win at Oklahoma State in 2005.
The Buffs had combined for a measly 5 yards rushing (including sacks) in games against Arizona State and Florida State, but netted 359 yards Saturday – the most since getting 372 yards rushing at Missouri in 2002.
Senior tailback Hugh Charles (123 yards on 17 carries) reached the century mark for the sixth time in his career and was almost joined by two teammates. Redshirt freshman Demetrius Sumler finished with 91 yards. Brian Lockridge, a 5-foot-7, 180-pound true freshman who bursts through holes without fear, gained 90 yards. Each ran for a touchdown.
“A big part of what we did today was all the criticism we got during the week,” Charles said. “We knew what we had to do.”
The running backs pumped their knees and ran with more zeal. It’s too bad this wasn’t a morning game because CU blockers delivered some serious pancakes. CU amassed 634 yards of offense, the most since setting the school record with 767 against San Jose State in 1999.
“We always knew we could run the ball,” Cody Hawkins said.
Meanwhile, Colorado’s defense limited Miami (1-3) to 139 total yards. RedHawks quarterback Daniel Raudabaugh completed just 11-of-32 passes.
“Anytime you make (the opponent) finish with a zero, I think it makes your defense feel complete,” CU coach Dan Hawkins said.
The score could have been more lopsided.
Cody Hawkins threw a second-quarter interception from the Miami 26-yard line. CU wide receiver Patrick Williams, running on an end-around, lost a fumble at the Miami 4-yard line early in the third quarter. And an apparent 56-yard touchdown run by Lockridge later in the third quarter was nullified by a holding penalty.
Colorado had to punt away its first possession, but a 16-play, 72-yard march on its second drive offered a glimpse of good things to come.
The Buffs converted four third-down plays in the drive and scored the game’s first points on fourth down when Cody Hawkins flipped a 1-yarder to senior tight end Tyson DeVree off a play-action fake.
The drive included a 9-yard pass to 6-foot-8, 270-pound tight end Nate Solder, the first career catch for the redshirt freshman from Buena Vista who has intriguing potential.
This marked only the second time Colorado has played a current member of the Mid-American Conference. Perhaps the Buffs should try to schedule MAC teams more often. CU blanked Kent State in 1977, also 42-0.
“We knew (Colorado) was a very good defensive team; they might’ve been a little better than we expected,” Miami coach Shane Montgomery said.
CU: THE GRADES | By Tom Kensler
Offense
A: Colorado appeared to actually have a ground game. They made some mistakes that ended scoring threats, but an impressive effort nonetheless.
Defense
A: No, this wasn’t the Miami Hurricanes, or even one of those good Miami RedHawks teams. But a shutout is a shutout. CU pass rushers barely gave Dan Raudabaugh enough room to breathe in the pocket.
Special teams
A: No complaints here, either.
Overall
A: The perfect elixir for a CU offense that must have wondered about its ability to score points after struggles against Arizona State and Florida State.
Staff writer Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
