At one point, Jordan Webb’s first game as Colorado quarterback seemed to come easy.
The junior transfer from Kansas completed 12-of-14 passes during a stretch of the first half Saturday against Colorado State after beginning the game 0-for-4, with two drops by Buffs receivers.
The second half proved to be a much different story. In the final 30 minutes of Colorado State’s 22-17 victory, Webb managed just 7-for-18 passing for just 52 yards.
He was sacked five times as CSU shifted into a blitz mentality after its secondary got picked apart at times in the first half.
“(Colorado State) changed quite a bit,” Webb said of the Rams’ blitz package. “They put more pressure. We didn’t handle it. I didn’t handle it well. They did a good job against a lot of our play action.”
Webb, who started 19 games in two seasons for Kansas, finished with decent stats: 22-of-41 passing for 187 yards, with two touchdown passes and no interceptions. But he knows the bottom line is always the game’s outcome.
“I was rushed more (often),” Webb said of the CSU defense. “But I wasn’t uncomfortable.”
Webb did miss some open receivers, primarily when he bolted from the pocket and threw on the run. But his job became more challenging as the afternoon progressed because CU’s running attack was almost nonexistent.
Colorado netted just 58 yards on 29 carries, an average of exactly 2 yards per attempt. That team average included losses due to sacks. But even so, CU’s rushing stats were horrid. Starting tailback Tony Jones managed just 43 yards on 16 carries for a 2.7 average. The sophomore’s long carry went for just 8 yards.
Webb said the offensive game plan was to be more balanced between the run and the pass.
“That’s something we have to work on so we can establish the run game,” Webb said. “We wanted to be physical. I think we were physical at times, but we have to keep improving that.”
CU coach Jon Embree said Webb played well overall.
“He gave us a chance (to win), and the receivers an opportunity to make some plays,” Embree said. “He had a real nice pass to Tyler McCulloch for a touchdown. I expect him to continue to play better each week.”
A pivotal play was Webb’s incompletion on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line late in the third quarter, with CSU up 16-14. Colorado receivers were in the back of the end zone, but Webb’s pass sailed too high.
That had to be especially disheartening to the Buffs in failing to capitalize on a possession that began with a fumble recovery at the Rams’ 15.
“That hurt,” Webb said. “They put the ball in my hands and I have to make a play. It definitely hurt.
“We just have to go back to the drawing board and get back to work.”
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280, tkensler@denverpost.com or
