Rocky Mountain Showdown: 10 things we learned about the Colorado Buffaloes and Colorado State Rams

Getting your player ready...

Finally, the speculation is over and the games are underway.

College football season is officially here, and after Colorado’s 17-3 victory over Colorado State in the Rocky Mountain Showdown, both schools move ahead with a much sharper picture of where they stand.

Here are 10 things we learned from Friday night’s game, with Colorado now 1-0 and CSU at 1-1.

COLORADO

1. Extending plays will be critical for . CU’s 6-foot-5, 225-pound quarterback is a fluid runner who completed several passes outside the pocket with impressive improvisation. Good thing the Buffs have a wealth of talented receivers who can adjust on the fly, like did in the second quarter, streaking into the end zone.

“That one throw was kind of a magical play, wasn’t it?” CU coach said. “(Montez) ran over, stopped, redirected, and then threw a dart (31) yards on the money. He has that talent.”

2. is the real deal. He averaged 7.4 yards per carry including bursts for 45, 18, 15, 14 and 12. Lindsay accounted for 156 all-purpose yards — 45 percent of the Buffs’ total offense. What CU’s senior tailback lacks in size (5-8 and 190), he makes up for with an aggressive, shifty running style. In addition, he’s CU’s most vocal leader.

3. CU’s offense needs major work. The Buffs scored a touchdown with 13:36 left in the second quarter, and never scored again. Chalk it up to first-game jitters or an improved CSU defense, but the much-hyped Buffs’ attack needs a lot of work. CU couldn’t sustain a running game and the passing game was out of sync the final 21/2 quarters.

“Someday, this group will really be explosive,” MacIntyre said. “I can’t wait until they get it under their belts and do it. Hopefully it��ap next Saturday.”

4. is a lock-down cornerback. He’s the first player in six games to limit CSU wideout to less than 100 yards receiving. Oliver broke up four passes and never let Gallup break loose. If he continues to shut down the opposing team’s best pass catcher, CU’s defense could be more stout that most fans thought.

“It was a great test for myself and (Gallup),” Oliver said. “It made us both better. So it��ap a lot of fun.”

5. Next test? Not until Sept. 23 That��ap the Pac-12 opener against Washington at Folsom Field. The Buffs should have cakewalks with home games coming up against Texas State (Sept. 9) and Northern Colorado (Sept. 16).

Colorado Buffaloes running back Phillip Lindsay (23) kisses the Rocky Mountain Showdown trophy as its held by wide receiver Shay Fields (1) after their win over the Colorado State Rams 17-3 on Sept. 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field.

John Leyba, The Denver Post

Colorado State Rams wide receiver Warren Jackson (9) catches a pass in front of Colorado Buffaloes Trey Udoffia (8) in the fourth quarter during the Rocky Mountain Show down on Sept. 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado at Sports Authority Field. Udoffia forced a fumble on the play and recovered by Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Afolabi Laguda (1) and returned for 11 yards. The Buffaloes defeated the Rams 17-3.

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COLORADO STATE

1. The Rams can play some defense. Montez made pointed comments in the week leading up to the game that CSU’s defense had “a lot of weaknesses” the Buffs planned to “exploit.” But the Rams held CU without points for nearly three full quarters. Five Rams had sacks. Montez, who was intercepted twice, changed his tune postgame and said, “They played really well on defense.”

2. needs touches. In his first two college games, the red-shirt freshman tailback has carried the ball 12 times for 86 yards — a 6.9 yards-per-carry average. Boddie is a 6-foot, 225-pound battering ram who figures to work his way into a more prominent role in a crowded CSU running backs room.

3. Don’t panic over the quarterback play. wasn’t at his best — 24-of-47, 309 yards and two interceptions — but he had two touchdowns called back on offensive pass interference calls. Calls like those change a game. His performance was a mixed bag.

“At times we played well at that position and at times we were a little bit high on some throws,” CSU coach said. “We had some opportunities to make some plays for him that we didn’t do. Sometimes we made them and they didn’t count.”

4. Pass blocking needs improvement. CU totaled two sacks but put heavy pressure on Stevens all night. There isn’t just one answer as to how the Rams will keep him upright — improved offensive line play, quicker reads, increased mobility — but he can’t keep taking that punishment.

“Guys were running the wrong routes,” Bobo said, “and Nick is trying to hold on to the ball and find somebody to get it too.”

5. Bobo keeps his cool. It would be hard to blame him for going off on the referees after the game. You could see his anger building from the sidelines. But Bobo took the high road, acknowledging the role key penalties played without assigning blame or playing victim.

“The ball game is over,” Bobo said. “They’re not going to come back and say, ‘Hey, we’re going to play the ball game over.’”

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