By Jordan Long
The University of Colorado Buffaloes start PAC 12 Conference play this Saturday as they face Arizona State on the road. Colorado comes into this game at 1-2 after 3 non-conference games on a 2 game losing streak. They hope to earn a win against Arizona State.
Colorado started the year on September 3rd defeating the University of Northern Colorado Bears. This was a game they had to win. Northern Colorado plays in the Big Sky Conference, which is in the Football Bowl Subdivision, the division right below Division 1. Colorado dominated to a 35-7 victory, racking up 383 yards. The best part of their game was running the football. They were able to establish the run early and often, rushing for 281 yards. This was a great beginning to the season.
The next week against Texas A & M, who was ranked #5 in the country, Colorado had their chances to win the game. With 4:59 left in the 2nd quarter and Colorado up 7-0, Colorado had a 4th and 1 at the Texas A & M 5-yard line. Instead of taking a 10-0 lead, Colorado went for it and was stopped. They were then outscored 10-0 the rest of the way and lost 10-7. Colorado limited Texas A & M to 288 yards while gaining 260. The difficulty Colorado had was freshman quarterback Brandon Lewis couldn’t find his open receiver or he was pressured. He ended up 13 of 25 passing for 89 yards and 1 interception. That wasn’t an efficient effort. If Lewis could have found his open receivers, the game might have turned out differently.
Last Saturday was the worst effort of the early season against the University of Minnesota. The Colorado defense was on the field way too long. Minnesota had the ball for 40 minutes and 13 seconds. Colorado’s offense had the football for 19 minutes and 47 seconds. Colorado’s defense couldn’t rest because it seemed anytime Colorado’s offense had the ball, it was a 3 and out. They punted, putting the defense back on the field.
Lewis was ineffective passing. He was 8 of 16 for 55 yards. He had time to throw the football but either held onto the ball too long or threw the ball away allowing Minnesota to blitz him all game long even if it was a 4-man rush. Colorado even tried backup quarterback Drew Carter. He was in the game with 9:53 left in the 4th quarter. At that point, the score was 23-0. Carter was 4 of 8 for 27 yards. Colorado was shut out 30-0. Colorado punted 8 times in the game, far too many. The offense couldn’t do anything and the furthest they moved the ball was the Minnesota 37-yard line.
Against Arizona State, Colorado must find a different game plan. They had trouble throwing and running the ball on Minnesota, ending with 63 total yards. They should establish the running game early and often. That will open up the passing game. Against Minnesota they abandoned the running game because nothing was going right, which they shouldn’t do. The running game is key for them to tire out the defense and keep the chains moving. Lewis might start, but if the offense isn’t doing much, don’t wait too long to put in Carter. He might be able to keep Colorado in the game. Colorado needs a better effort against Arizona State on offense. Otherwise, it could be another long game.
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