MORGANTOWN, W.VA. — A 17-point underdog, Colorado tried to make a game of it Thursday night, but ultimately could not keep up with West Virginia’s explosiveness.
The hard-fought result, a 35-24 Mountaineers victory, was of no consolation to a Colorado team that was hoping to make a statement in front of a national television audience. CU (1-3) has failed to win at least two of its first four games for the third time this decade. The 2004 Buffaloes began 0-4 en route to a 3-8 record, and the 2006 team started with six consecutive losses and finished 2-10.
Things do not get easier. Up next for Colorado is an Oct. 10 road game against second-ranked Texas.
Colorado defensive coordinator Ron Collins said earlier in the week he was concerned about West Virginia’s penchant for producing explosion plays. Collins’ fears were realized on the Mountaineers’ second play from scrimmage when junior tailback Noel Devine made a dancing, cut-back move inside the left guard and then shifted into a full stride for a 77-yard touchdown.
Devine, who finished with 220 yards on 22 carries, also set up a second-quarter TD with a 56-yard run.
“I hope I never see that guy again,” CU coach Dan Hawkins said of Devine.
Mountaineers quarterback Jarrett Brown did his part. The 6-foot-4, 223-pound senior found wide receiver Brad Starks for a 48-yard touchdown pass to take a 21-10 lead early in the third quarter.
West Virginia, which also had an open date last week, improved to 3-1.
Colorado was able to convert four first-half fumbles by West Virginia into just three points: a 39-yard field goal by Aric Goodman.
At times, it appeared that Colorado’s offense was reduced to only three options: runs by tailback Rodney Stewart and passes to wide receiver Scotty McKnight and tight end Riar Geer.
McKnight was the only CU wideout to catch a pass through the first three quarters. That makes it tough to sustain a drive.
CU quarterback Cody Hawkins finishe 27-of-52 for 292 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Stewart finished with 105 yards on 21 carries.
With Jason Espinoza’s availability limited to returning punts for the Buffs, new wideouts Markques Simas, Andre Simmons and Will Jefferson drew more playing time. They did not catch a pass in the first half, however.
CU sophomore tailback Darrell Scott, who has been slowed by a knee bruise suffered in the second game of the season, against Toledo, carried the ball just twice in the first half.
Colorado wasted numerous opportunities to build a first-half lead. Goodman, a junior, missed field goals from 30 (wide left) and 45 yards (hit left upright) before finally making the 39-yarder.
The Buffs went up 10-7 with that Goodman field goal. But the lead didn’t last long — just two minutes and 24 seconds of the play clock, to be precise.
“We had some opportunities for more points in the first half,” Dan Hawkins said. “When you play a good football team, you have to maximize those opportunities. If you do that, you have a chance at a different outcome.”
On the first play of the ensuing West Virginia possession, Devine started out on a sweep and then bolted upfield for 56 yards before CU cornerback Cha’pelle Brown ran him out of bounds. Four plays later, Jarrett Brown connected with Jock Sanders for a 6-yard touchdown on a right-to-left crossing pattern to give West Virginia its first lead, at 14-10 with 1:21 left in the first half.
“Even though we lost this football game, that was our best effort by far,” Dan Hawkins said.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
