SAN ANTONIO – Although this football season was delayed, shortened and dramatically impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, there were a lot of aspects to it that mirrored the 2016 campaign for the Colorado Buffaloes.
Including, unfortunately, the ending.
On Tuesday night, the short-handed Buffs were outmatched by No. 20 Texas in the Valero Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome. Texas won 55-23.
It was CU’s first bowl appearance since a 38-8 loss to Oklahoma State in the Alamo Bowl exactly four years earlier, on Dec. 29, 2016.
For the Buffs (4-2), it was a second consecutive defeat after a 4-0 start, but they still put a cap on their first winning season since 2016.
As they did four years ago, the Buffs exceeded preseason expectations, riding a gritty senior quarterback (Sam Noyer), a dynamic running back wearing No. 23 (Jarek Broussard) and a defense that kept them in many games. CU finished that season at 10-4, but lost its last two.
This year, the Buffs were guided by first-year head coach Karl Dorrell, whose team navigated the COVID-19 pandemic to earn a spot in the Alamo Bowl.
Facing its former Big 12 rival, however, CU didn’t display many of the traits that got them to 4-0, although the Buffs were more competitive than they were in this stadium four years earlier.
CU also got a glimpse into the future with some young players, including freshman quarterback Brendon Lewis, who led three touchdown drives.
Lewis’ debut wasn’t enough, though, as the Buffs couldn’t fully overcome a disastrous start.
Texas freshman Bijan Robinson was sensational, with 183 yards and a touchdown on 10 rushing attempts and two catches for 37 yards and two touchdowns.
Robinson scored on an 8-yard run and a 14-yard pass from Sam Ehlinger in the first 10 minutes to stake the Longhorns (7-3) to a 14-0 lead.
CU’s defense held Texas the rest of the half, but a pair of interceptions thrown by Noyer contributed to an ugly first quarter for the offense.
It wasn’t until Lewis got into the game, early in the second quarter, that the Buffs got much going on offense.
The freshman led the Buffs on a 10-play, 50-yard drive, capped by Broussard’s 2-yard touchdown run.
The teams traded field goals before the half, with Texas taking a 17-10 lead into the break.
Considering the Buffs’ start, it was a minor victory to go into the locker room within a touchdown.
That changed in a hurry in the second half, though.
On the first play of the third quarter, Robinson ran 66 yards. On the next, backup quarterback Casey Thompson threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Moore.
About six minutes later, Thompson and Moore hooked up again, this time for a 25-yard touchdown. Another Texas field goal made it 34-10 with 3:33 to go in the third.
At that point, the Buffs put Lewis back into the game for Noyer. This time, Lewis led the Buffs on a 75-yard scoring drive, capped by Broussard’s second touchdown run, this one from 3 yards out, to pull the Buffs within 34-16.
Early in the fourth, Thompson connected with Robinson for a 23-yard touchdown to make it 41-16.
The Buffs and Lewis responded with another 75-yard drive, this one capped by Lewis’ first-career touchdown run, from 2-yards out.
That run pulled CU within 41-23, but just two plays later, Thompson connected on 73-yard touchdown pass to Kelvontay Dixon to put the game away with 11 minutes to go.
Unlike four years ago, the Buffs aren’t a senior-dominated team and, despite the loss to Texas, seem to be poised for better things in 2021.
Dorrell has laid a foundation in his first season at the helm, while several key players are expected to return next season. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, all players have been granted an extra year of eligibility, but itap unclear how many seniors will come back.
Led by Noyer, Lewis, Broussard, outside linebacker Carson Wells and others, however, the Buffs look for better days in the future.
Texas 55, Colorado 23
Play of the game: Texas’ 73-yard touchdown pass from Casey Thompson to Kelvontay Dixon with 11:01 to go in the fourth quarter put the game out of reach for the Buffs.
Turning point: After CU had pulled within 17-10 at the half, Texas opened the third with a 66-yard run by Bijan Robinson, setting up a 13-yard touchdown pass from Thompson to Joshua Moore to make it 24-10. CU never got any closer.
Top 3 Buffs of the game
1. LB Carson Wells: The junior had two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss in the first three quarters.
2. QB Brendon Lewis: The true freshman came off the bench to lead the Buffs to a trio of touchdown drives in the first three-and-a-half quarters, including a 2-yard run of his own.
3. RB Jarek Broussard: CU’s leading rushing all year, he grinding out 77 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries through the first three and a half quarters.
