Instant Analysis: Buffs struggle on the road at wet, windy Washington St.
Final Score: Washington State 28, Colorado 0.
KEY MOMENT: Quarterback controversy, anybody? Mike MacIntyre’s decision to bench Steven Montez and go with inexperienced backup Sam Noyer on the road at the outset of the second half was arguably the biggest (and most memorable) moment of the game. WSU led 14-0 at the time, so the Buffs were still in the game. However, WSU drove 75 yards in 9 plays on its opening possession of the third quarter to take a 21-0 lead and you knew at that point the Buffs were in trouble with a young quarterback on the road in the rain against an aggressive WSU defense.
TURNING POINT: The first 12 minutes of the third quarter encapsulated perfectly the Buffs’ frustrating night on offense. On Noyer’s first drive, the Buffs had first down at the WSU 28 but a poor shotgun snap resulted in an 18-yard loss and they had to punt. Then, after WSU took the 21-0 lead, CU twice drove into the red zone but came away empty-handed both times. The first time, Devin Ross appeared to have made a fourth-down reception to give the Buffs a first down, but the call on the field was overruled and the pass was ruled incomplete.
RECAP/NUMBERS DON’T LIE:
The Buffs won the turnover battle (2-1) but failed to convert either of the takeaways into points.
It goes without saying the offensive numbers were horrific: 174 total yards, Montez and Noyer were a combined 11-of-31 passing for 74 yards, the Buffs ran for just 80 net yards on 40 rushes (2.0 per attempt), they were 0-2 in the red zone and they punted 10 times. But the biggest indictment of the CU offense was this statistic: 1-for-17 on third down. You won’t beat many Division II schools with that kind of third down production (or lack thereof). One problem: the average distance on third down was 9.2 yards. The Buffs didn’t make enough plays on first and second down to set up manageable third down situations.
Another indictment of the CU offense: the Buffs average starting field position was their own 38-yard line, 11 yards better than WSU (own 27). Yet, the Cougars did a better job overcoming the disadvantage in field position.
A major key for the Buffs defense Saturday night was making Washington State QB Luke Falk uncomfortable in the pocket. For the most part, that didn’t happen. Compared to some of his previous performances, Falk’s numbers were pedestrian: 17-of-34 for 197 yards and 3 TDs. The Cougars also ran the ball well, amassing 194 yards on 35 carries (5.54 yards per attempt). So, while the CU defense played well at times, they didn’t stop the run consistently.
Handing the ball to RB Phillip Lindsay has been Colorado’s best play call the past few games and that was the case again on Saturday night. Lindsay finished with 98 yards on 29 carries, and surpassed the 1,000-yard plateau early in the game. Unfortunately, he was the Buffs lone offensive bright spot.
WSU got the ball first and drove into Buffs territory, gaining 27 yards on four plays. But Derek McCartney sacked Falk on third down and the Cougars were forced to punt. But the Buffs went 3-and-out on their first possession.
A short punt by Alex Kinney (32 yards) set up WSU at its 45 for its second possession. However, the Buffs quickly forced their first turnover of the night when Javier Edwards jarred the ball from WSU RB Jamal Morrow and CU recovered at their 43.
But the Buffs failed to take advantage of the good field position, going 3-and-out for the second straight possession. On third down, the Buffs somehow forgot to block WSU DL Hercules Mata’afa and he tackled Lindsay for a 2-yard loss. After 2 possessions, CU had 6 plays, 5 total yards.
When the Buffs defense forced a 3-and-out, the punt was downed at the CU 49, again giving the Buffs good field position. But the Buffs went 3-and-out for the 3rd straight possession, giving them 9 total yards on 9 plays to start the game.
A pass interference penalty on Isaiah Oliver was the key play early for WSU as the Cougars moved out close to midfield. A fumble was recovered by WSU and they eventually punted for the third time. Kick catching interference was called on WSU, allowing the Buffs to start their 4th possession from the CU48. The Buffs gave the ball to Lindsay 4 straight times, including a 4th-and-1 play. He picked up 2 yards for the first down.
END 1ST QUARTER: Colorado 0, Washington 0.
Lindsay continued to get the rock early in the second quarter as the Buffs moved close to the red zone. On 3rd-and-6 from the 24, Montez was sacked for a 4-yard loss back to the WSU28. The Buffs gambled on 4th-and-10 and Montez was pressured, forcing him to scramble for his life. The pass was incomplete. Worse, CU offensive lineman Jeromy Irwin was flagged for targeting on a crackback block, and ejected.
WSU took over at its 28 and after Falk scrambled for a first down, Falk delivered a 50-yard TD strike to Tay Martin down the middle of the field. Worse, Oliver was hurt on the play and helped off the field. Scoring Drive: 3 plays, 72 yards, :59 (WSU 7-0).
Lindsay ran for 24 yards on CU’s second play of the ensuing possession. But Lindsay’s next 3 carries yielded 2 yards and the Buffs punted from the WSU 44. Lindsay had 16 carries for 56 yards at the conclusion of the possession. CU’s 1st 5 possessions: 4 punts + turnover on downs. Montez was 0-7 passing.
Falk completed four straight passes for 36 yards as the Cougars moved to the CU32. On 3rd and 4 from the CU18, Falk hit backup WR Brandon Arconado around the 10 on a quick slant and he raced into the end zone to give WSU a 14-0 lead with 4:50 left in the second quarter. Scoring Drive: 10 plays, 81 yards, 4:18.
Devin Ross caught a pass for a gain of 11 yards and fumbled, but was he down? The officials ruled fumble and WSU ball. If upheld, it would be CU’s first turnover in 15 quarters. But the call was overturned, and the Buffs kept possession. No turnover.
Bryce Bobo was called for offensive pass interference, moving the Buffs back to the CU16. Eventually, they punted on 4th-and-24. WSU took over at its 42 looking to expand its lead before halftime. The Cougars drove as far as the CU39 before a fourth-down pass fell incomplete, giving CU the ball with 43 seconds left in the 2nd quarter. But the Buffs did nothing as the first half ended.
CU’s first half tale of woe offensively: 82 total yards, 4-of-13 passing for 21 yards, 5 first downs, 21 rushes for 61 yards, 1-9 on third down.
HALFTIME: Washington State 14, Colorado 0.
Sam Noyer began the second half as quarterback for the Buffs. The second half began on a positive note for the CU offense as Lindsay ran for 13 and 18 yards on the first two plays, and WSU was penalized 15 yards for roughing the passer. However, a poor snap on 1st down at the WSU28 resulted in a drive-killing 18-yard loss. The Buffs punted.
WSU took the ball at the 25 and promptly drove 75 yards in nine plays for a touchdown on a 9-yard run by Jamal Morrow. Moeller dropped what should have been an interception. Falk completed a pair of passes to Dezmon Patmon for 21 and 22 yards prior to Morrow’s TD run. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards (WSU 21-0).
Noyer completed a 9-yard pass to Frazier on CU’s ensuing possession. However, Noyer was sacked on third down on the next series of downs and CU punted. The Buffs caught a break, perhaps their 1st of the game, when the punt struck a WSU player and CU recovered at the WSU 25.
Needing a score desperately and wanting to take advantage of the great field position, the Buffs gambled on 4th-and-2 from the WSU and Noyer threw a pass to the left side to Ross. He grabbed the ball but the pass was ruled incomplete after review, giving WSU the ball at the 17.
After WSU punted, Noyer again led the Buffs offense into the red zone, but his fourth down pass was incomplete. Consecutive trips into the red zone produced 0 points for CU.
The Colorado defense forced a second straight 3 and out and started at the 32 following a 59-yard punt. Noyer was pressured on the first two plays and threw incomplete passes. However, a pass interference on 3rd down gave the Buffs a fresh set of downs.
Noyer threw for 44 yards on 5-13 passing in the third quarter.
End 3rd Quarter: Washington State 21, Colorado 0.
Both teams punted in the opening 3-1/2 mins of the fourth quarter as WSU maintained its 3-TD lead. By that point, the outcome was known. The only question is whether the Buffs would score.
The Buffs moved out to midfield after Noyer’s 13-yard run. On the next series of downs, Lindsay was stuffed for no gain on 3rd and 1 and 4th and 1 from the WSU48 even though they had two TEs on the field, perfectly summing up the night for the CU offense.
An offsides call on CU gave WSU a 3rd-and-1 situation and they converted the first down. A 19-yard shovel pass to Morrow moved WSU into the end zone and gave them a first down at the 15. From there, Falk fired a 5-yard TD pass to Renard Bell on a quick slant pass as Nick Fisher was beaten to the inside. Score: WSU 28, CU 0.
The teams combined for three punts, a fumble and a turnover on downs over the next 4 minutes.
THREE TAKEAWAYS:
1. Mike MacIntyre has some difficult decisions to make this week regarding the Buffs offense: Of course, the most important issue he must address is quarterback. Does Montez stay as the starting quarterback? Did Noyer show enough in the second half to get a shot at being the starter next Saturday against California? Afterwards, MacIntyre said Montez and Noyer will compete for the starting QB job this week heading into the Cal game. Frankly, that's the way it should be. However, quarterback is hardly the only concern. The offensive line couldn’t get any push against WSU’s defensive front as CU averaged just 2.0 yards per rushing attempt and allowed 3 sacks and 8 QB pressures. The O-Line simply lacked toughness. Right now, the only consistently reliable player on offense is Phillip Lindsay. Do you increase his role and give him even MORE carries?
2. Unless the offense gets squared away, the Buffs will be staying home for bowl season: Saturday’s abysmal loss dropped CU to 4-4 overall, so they must find two wins in the final four games against California, Arizona State, USC and Utah. Clearly, next weekend’s Homecoming game (noon, Pac-12 Network) against Cal is a must-wins situation considering the Sun Devils and Trojans are a combined 7-2 in the Pac-12. It’s very possible the Buffs could be 5-6 going into the final game at Utah. If so, CU would need to win that game to go bowling.
3. There is plenty of parity in the Pac-12: This might be CU’s best hope for attaining 6 wins. USC went to Notre Dame Saturday night and got crushed, 49-14. Utah’s offense did nothing against Arizona State in a home loss in Salt Lake City. Right now, unlike the SEC or Big Ten, there is no ‘super team’ in the Pac-12. That might prevent the Pac-12 from getting somebody into the FBS 4-team playoff, but keep things exciting from week-to-week. These last four games are going to be very intriguing for the Buffs.
