DENVER—Speedy wide receivers Toney Clemons, Travon Patterson and Paul Richardson joined the Colorado lineup Saturday, and senior slot receiver Scotty McKnight still stole the show.
McKnight became Colorado’s career receptions leader with a 27-yard touchdown grab that sparked the Buffaloes to a 24-3 season-opening win over archrival Colorado State on Saturday.
McKnight found himself wide open on the blitz.
“I’d love to tell you I just smoked someone off the line, but it didn’t happen,” McKnight said. “They brought the perfect defense against it and as an older guy, I thought, ‘Wow. I’m going to be wide open on this play.’ … It just seemed like the ball hung in the air for two weeks.”
McKnight’s 168th career catch broke the mark set by Michael Westbrook from 1991-94. The senior finished with six catches for 78 yards. McKnight now has 171 receptions and his 16 TDs are four shy of the school record.
Making his memorable day all the sweeter was having his childhood friend Mark Sanchez, quarterback of the New York Jets, watching from the stands.
“He sat with my family incognito. No one recognized him,” McKnight said.
Sanchez was thankful he was on hand to see his buddy break the record.
“That was a perfect call,” Sanchez told The Associated Press. “I was fired up and to happen on a touchdown like that? It was scripted perfect. It couldn’t have been any better.
“I’m so happy I could be here. I’m so happy that Rex (Ryan) gave us a couple of days off and is so lenient about stuff like this because he knows how important it is to me. He’s like a family member. He deserves it. He worked hard and hopefully it’s a good start to their season.”
This is a crucial year for Colorado coach Dan Hawkins, who has yet to post a winning season since arriving in Boulder from Boise State in 2006.
With three interceptions, freshman quarterback Pete Thomas had a rough debut for the Rams, who lost their last nine games of last season to finish 3-9, same as the Buffaloes.
“I feel like I got that first game under my skin, and we’re only going to get better from here,” said Thomas, who finished 24 of 32 for 196 yards.
Tyler Hansen was 17 of 25 for 192 yards, two TDs and an interception. He scored on a 1-yard keeper.
McKnight has caught a pass in a school-record and NCAA-active-best 38 straight games, counting the 2007 Independence Bowl.
After he hauled in his record-breaking catch, the Buffaloes made it 17-0 on Aric Goodman’s 28-yard field goal that was set up by Travis Sanderfeld’s interception at midfield.
Ben DeLine, whose 37-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Will Pericak at the end of the first half, hit a 43-yarder with 9:36 left for the Rams’ only points.
Patterson, a senior transfer from Southern Cal, opened the scoring with an 18-yard touchdown catch from Hansen. Patterson’s first TD catch since his senior year in high school in 2005 was set up when Jon Major stuffed CSU’s T.J. Borcky for no gain on fourth-and-1 at the Rams’ 44.
Despite his disappointment, Rams third-year coach Steve Fairchild was encouraged by what he saw from Thomas.
“The future is bright,” Fairchild said.
Rams offensive lineman Paul Madsen said he saw the same silver lining in Thomas’ poise and play.
“I would expect him to be very nervous, but the only thing I sensed was a great level of excitement,” Madsen said. “He’s going to be great down the road.”
Colorado freshman safety Parker Orms left on crutches after injuring his right knee covering a punt.
