A season that started with so much promise ended with a whimper.
Colorado football needed one last victory for a bowl berth, but instead sent Utah to the postseason with a 34-13 defeat Saturday night in Salt Lake City. The defending Pac-12 South Division champions will go without a bowl game for the ninth time in the last 10 seasons. Denver Post college sports reporter Kyle Fredrickson provides five observations from the loss.
1. Bye-week wasted. If CU benefited from extra preparation in the lead up to Saturday, you couldn’t tell. The Buffaloes’ began the first half with an uninspiring performance that included a litany of self-imposed errors. CU was flagged five times for 70 yards in the first two quarters and dropped three passes overall. Utah also appeared the more fresh and physical team, dominating on both sides of the ball en route to a 28-0 halftime score. There was little excuse for such a slow start given the Buffaloes’ bye week.
2. Run over. Arguably CU’s greatest weakness was once again exposed: Run defense. Utah tailback Zack Moss rushed for a career high 196 yards and two touchdowns, and as a whole, the Utes tallied 310 yards with four scores on the ground. It adds to long list of Pac-12 foes that torched CU running the ball this season — Washington (254 yards, three touchdowns), Arizona (413 yards, five touchdowns), Oregon State (280, three touchdowns) and Arizona State (381 yards, three touchdowns). CU must address its physicality up front in recruiting to aid in a failing run defense.
3. Second-half surge. For what itap worth, CU returned from the locker room after halftime with a newfound focus. The Buffaloes received the kickoff and quarterback led a six-play, 73-yard drive that finished with tailback in the end zone. And CU followed it with another touchdown drive on its next possession when Montez rushed in for a score. With less than 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter, CU trailed 31-13 with the ball deep in Utes’ territory. But a Montez fumble recovered by Utah linebacker Cody Barton halted any hope of a comeback.
4. Whatap next? CU coach spoke with KOA-AM 850 radio postgame and said that he has scheduled a 10 a.m. Monday team meeting to address his team one last time before recruiting becomes his sole focus. What did CU learn during its descent from 10 to five wins?
“We’ll look at it and we’ll go over the whole season as staff,” MacIntyre said. “At this time, you don’t know everything. (Former Dallas Cowboys coach) Bill Parcells taught me that. He’d always take a good two weeks to look at everything and see everything, get a feel for it and evaluate correctly without emotions involved. When you do it that way, you make good decisions.”
5. Saying goodbye. It was a forgettable fall for the Buffaloes, but this senior class should long be remembered for its accomplishments. Notable homegrown talents Phillip Lindsay and are among 23 players who played their final collegiate game on Saturday. Lindsay, who finished with 18 carries for 72 yards and a touchdown, also spoke with KOA-AM 850 radio postgame: “I just want to thank (CU) for all the opportunities I’ve been given here. I just wanted to make an impact in people’s lives and do what I can for my state, and represent it the right way with respect and dignity.”