BOULDER — The two alleged known commodities for the University of Colorado football team entering this season are all out of whack. Dynamic offense? Rebuilding defense? Time to recalibrate.
CU defeated Texas State on Saturday with a final score suggesting a rout, 37-3, but with play more resembling a slugfest. Because just like the crowd of 43,822 under the hot sun at Folsom Field, the offense was late-arriving for the Buffaloes’ home opener.
CU was forced to punt on five of its first six offensive possessions. When it notched a quarterback Steven Montez rushing touchdown early in the second quarter, the Buffaloes snapped a scoreless streak that extended nearly four combined quarters dating back to their Rocky Mountain Showdown victory over Colorado State.
Aided by a first quarter Isaiah Oliver punt return fumble turned recovery touchdown run by Laviska Shenault, CU led just 14-0 at halftime against a team picked in preseason to finish second-to-last in the Sun Belt Conference.
“I don’t think there’s any concern, to be honest,” Montez said.
One big reason why? A historic start from the Buffaloes’ defense.
CU now has held each of its first two opponents without a touchdown for the first time since 1958, and on Saturday, the Buffaloes recorded six sacks for the first time since 2011. Texas State was limited to 283 yards of total offense and converted only 2-of-15 third-down attempts.
CU’s defense began the year facing repeated questions as to how it would replace the production of eight missing starters, prompting media skepticism that apparently reached the locker room, as noted by tailback Phillip Lindsay postgame: “You guys sitting here were kind of (ticking) them off when they first started.”
“We’re trying to prove to everyone what we’re really capable of,” said Oliver, who returned a Texas State interception 41 yards in the third quarter, “and we’re trying to prove it to ourselves as well.”
CU’s offense rebounded after halftime, scoring 17 points in the third quarter with flashes of what it could be this season, as Montez connected on five completions of 15 yards or more. Gaining ground traction proved more difficult, though, as Lindsay carried the ball 26 times for 87 yards, just a 3.3-yard average, and one touchdown.
“It takes a couple weeks to start clicking,” Montez said, “and I think we’re just starting to get that chemistry going in the offense.”
Montez, who finished 19-of-31 for 299 yards passing, added he was too quick to exit the pocket in the first half, allowing unintended pass rush pressure to complicate his accuracy and decision-making. Second-half adjustment improved his production and coach Mike MacIntyre said, “I thought he made big strides.”
CU (2-0) gets another test run before Pac-12 play when Northern Colorado visits Boulder for a noon kickoff next Saturday. One more chance to catch fire on offense and another opportunity to showcase what many believed to not be true about the Buffaloes in 2017.
“That defense is nasty,” Montez said.
Game balls
Laviska Shenault, CU
The true freshman receiver recovered an Isaiah Oliver punt return fumble in the first quarter and rumbled 55 yards for a touchdown.
Leo Jackson, CU
The senior defensive end wreaked havoc on Texas State, tallying three sacks and five tackles.
Shay Fields, CU
The Buffaloes’ offense might have struggled, but by no fault of Fields. The senior receiver caught five passes for 110 yards.