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November 9th – at Texas Tech No. 21 Colorado 41, Texas Tech 27
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No. 21 Colorado rallied from a 13-0 first quarter deficit to take down Texas Tech, 41-27. A sellout crowd and Fox Big Noon Saturday’s first trip to Lubbock helped the Red Raiders take an early advantage, but the Buffs fought back … looked to turn the game into a rout … then squandered chances to put the game away. Finally, Shilo Sanders returned a fumble six yards for a touchdown with less than a minute to finally end the upset bid by the Red Raiders.
Shedeur Sanders completed 30-of-43 passes for 291 yards and three touchdowns, with Travis Hunter collecting nine passes for 99 yards and a 24-yard touchdown. The Colorado defense, scored upon on Texas Tech’s first three drives of the game, came through time and time again in the second half with sacks and turnovers to help CU get to 7-2 for the first time since 2016. The Buff defense finished with three turnovers (all in the fourth quarter) and six sacks.
Colorado finished with 351 yards of total offense. Texas Tech had 388 yards of total offense, including 180 yards in the fourth quarter, a quarter in which the Red Raiders settled for only seven points.
“It’s almost like they got to get hit in the face,” Coach Prime said of his team’s slow start. “They got to get slapped. They got to feel it and I don’t know why we’re like that, because we do everything in our power, even the way we script practices, to get started fast. The emphasis is let’s get out to a good start. Because we know if we get out to a good start, the sky’s the limit.”
The win gave Colorado a 7-2 overall record, 5-1 in Big 12 play. With three games remaining in the regular season, the Buffs, coupled with Iowa State’s second consecutive loss, took control of their own destiny when it came to playing for the Big 12 championship game. Wins over Utah, Kansas, and Oklahoma State would guarantee the Buffs a spot in the title game, regardless of the outcome of any other Big 12 games.
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Game Story … Playing as a ranked team for the first time in the 2024 season, the Buffs opened their road game against Texas Tech looking much more like the 2022 Buffs.
After surrendering a 46-yard kickoff return to open the game, the CU defense got off the field in only four plays … but it was after four plays and a touchdown. A 35-yard completion from Red Raider quarterback Behren Morton to wide receiver Josh Kelly was followed, two plays later, by a 17-yard touchdown pass from Morton to Jalin Conyers. A mere 70 seconds in the game, the Buffs were already down, 7-0.
The CU offense then did its part to complement the poor play of the Buff special teams and defense. A 12-yard completion from quarterback Shedeur Sanders to wide receiver Travis Hunter on CU’s opening drive, followed by a ten-yard completion to LaJohntay Wester, were not enough to maintain possession, with the Buffs punting the ball away after six plays.
Texas Tech’s second drive opened as well as its first, with a pair of 17-yard completions to Josh Kelly and running back Tahj Brooks quickly put the ball on CU’s side of the field. Thereafter, the Buff defense stiffened, but Red Raider kicker Gino Garcia was up to the challenge of a 53-yard field goal. Midway through the first quarter, it was 10-0, Texas Tech.
The CU offense responded to the double-digit deficit by … going three-and-out.
After a shanked 27-yard punt by CU punter Mark Vassett, the Red Raiders set up shop near midfield for their third drive of the quarter. A 27-yard completion from Behren Morton to wide receiver Coy Eakin set the Texas Tech offense up in the CU red zone, with a first down at the Buff 15. A sack of Morton by linebacker BJ Green II, though, thwarted the drive, with the Red Raiders settling for a Gino Garcia 39-yard field goal. Texas Tech 13, Colorado 0, late in the first quarter.
A pair of three-and-outs by the respective offenses, with the Buffs stopping the Red Raiders for the first time all game thanks to a sack by defensive lineman Arden Walker, gave the ball back to the Buff offense at their 42-yard line.
A 19-yard completion from Sanders to Will Sheppard put the ball into Red Raider territory, with an eight-yard completion to Sheppard two plays later netting another first down. Then, at the Texas Tech 23-yard line, Sanders connected with LaJohntay Wester for a score. Midway through the second quarter, the Buffs were finally on the board, 13-7.
The Red Raiders were able to get one first down on the ground on their next drive, but, after six plays and 14 yards, punted the ball back to the Buffs.
Taking over at its 18-yard line, the CU offense quickly moved into Texas Tech territory. Back-to-back passes from Shedeur Sanders to Travis Hunter, the first for 17, the second for 22, gave the Buffs a first down at the Red Raider 43. Three plays later, the Buffs faced a fourth-and-one at the Texas Tech 34, which became a fourth-and-six after a false start against the Buffs. No matter … as Sanders scrambled for nine yards on the next play, giving the Buffs a fresh set of downs.
After a nine-yard completion from Sanders to running back Isaiah Augustave gave CU a first down in the red zone, the Buff drive stalled. On fourth-and-four at the Texas Tech eight-yard line, Buff kicker Alejandro Mata hit a 25-yard field goal. With 30 seconds left in the half, the new score was 13-10.
But the fireworks weren’t over just yet. A 57-yard kickoff return by Red Raider J’Koby Williams gave Texas Tech a chance at more points. Three plays from the CU 42 netted seven yards, with Texas Tech kicker Gino Garcia missing his first field goal of the season, his second 53-yard attempt of the game, as time expired.
Halftime score: Texas Tech 13, Colorado 10
A 13-yard completion from Shedeur Sanders to LaJohntay Wester for 16 yards got CU’s first drive of the third quarter off to a good start. A pair of defensive penalties wrapped around a 12-yard run by Sanders set the Buffs up at the Texas Tech 17-yard line. After Sanders connected with tight end Sav’ell Small for a ten-yard gain, Sanders ran up the middle for a seven-yard touchdown, and CU’s first lead of the game, at 17-13.
The Red Raiders didn’t blink, though, with the offense needing only nine plays to retake the lead. The Buff defense did force a fourth-and-one at the CU two-yard line, but Tech running back Tahj Brooks ran around end for a two-yard score and a 20-17 Texas Tech lead midway through the third quarter.
Next, it was the Buffs’ turn to respond. Converting on a third-and-six at the CU 31 with a Sanders-to-Wester seven yard completion got the drive started. A completion to Travis Hunter, coupled with facemask penalty, followed by a defensive holding penalty on the next play, set the Buffs up at the Tech 27-yard line. After a five-yard run by Isaiah Augustave, Sanders hooked up twice with Will Sheppard, first for 17 yards, the second for a five-yard touchdown. With 4:25 to play in the third quarter, the Buffs had the lead for good, at 24-20.
The Red Raiders next three plays netted only five yards, giving the CU defense its third three-and-out of the game. But … instead of punting on fourth-and-five at their own 31-yard line, Texas Tech head coach Joey Johnson went for a fake punt. The upback’s pass, though, fell incomplete, giving CU a golden opportunity.
And the Buffs took advantage. At the Tech 24-yard line, Sanders threw a short pass to Travis Hunter, with Hunter doing the rest. Colorado 31, Texas Tech 20, late in the third quarter.
The Red Raiders did push the ball into Colorado territory on their next drive, but, facing a fourth-and-nine at the CU 34-yard line, Texas Tech went for the first down. Instead of converting, the Buff defense forced a turnover on downs, with Red Raider quarterback being sacked for an 11-yard loss by Arden Walker and Keaten Wade.
Set up at the CU 45 with an 11-point lead, the Buff offense … went three-and-out, punting the ball away after a 65-second drive.
Again, the Buff defense rose to the occasion. After a Tahj Brooks 18-yard run got Texas Tech out near midfield, CU linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green snagged a pass from Tech quarterback Behren Morton, returning the interception 12 yards to the Texas Tech 39-yard line.
A 16-yard completion from Sanders to Will Sheppard put the Buffs in position to go for the kill. Instead, the next three plays gained only eight yards. With 9:46 left to play, CU kicker Alejandro Mata hit a 33-yard field goal. Colorado 34, Texas Tech 20.
On Tech’s third play of its next possession, quarterback Behren Morton was sacked by Buff linebacker B.J. Green, with Green forcing a fumble. Safety Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig at the Texas Tech 16-yard line.
Up two touchdowns … with the ball at the Tech 16 … a rout was in the making.
Except … Silmon-Craig was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after the play, forcing the CU offense to start at the Tech 31. From there, the CU offense went backward, including a sack of Shedeur Sanders. With CU going from a red zone opportunity to a punt, the Red Raiders were still alive.
Tech’s next drive covered 12 plays, went 80 yards … and netted no points. On fourth-and-goal at the CU one yard line, running back Tahj Brooks was tackled for a three-yard loss by defensive lineman Amari McNeill and linebacker LaVonta Bentley.
The CU offense responded by going three-and-out … in a drive which lasted 26 seconds.
Taking over at the CU 43-yard line, the Red Raiders looked to keep it a game. It took eight plays, but only 1:43 of game clock, for Texas Tech to make it a one-score game. The Red Raiders faced a second-and-23 on the drive, but nonetheless converted, scoring on a 21-yard touchdown pass from Morton to wide receiver Jalin Conyers.
Colorado 34, Texas Tech 27, with 2:12 still on the fourth quarter clock.
The Buffs recovered the onside kick, but were unable to put the game away. With 1:09 to play, CU punter Mark Vassett, who had struggled all game, pinned the Red Raiders back on their own six yard line. On second down, Tech quarterback Behren Morton had the ball knocked away by Amari Walker, forcing a fumble. CU safety Shilo Sanders picked up the ball at the Texas Tech six, taking the ball in untouched to finally put the game away.
The Red Raiders managed to get the ball to the CU red zone in the final minute, with a final pass by Morton falling incomplete in the CU end zone.
Final score: No. 21 Colorado 41, Texas Tech 27
“We started out slow and that’s not indicative of who we are, but I felt confident that in the second half we were going to do what we ultimately did,” Coach Prime said. “The main thing was stopping the run and giving Shedeur time to throw the ball and I think he was sacked three times. One of them, I think, was on him. A couple of them might have been on him. But other than that, we did a great job.”
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders spread the wealth among his three top receivers, with Travis Hunter collecting nine passes for 99 yards and a touchdown; LaJohntay Wester getting six receptions for 82 yards and a score; and Will Sheppard with eight catches for 79 yards and a touchdown.
Texas Tech stars got their numbers as well, with running back Tahj gaining 137 yards on his 31 carries (though, through three quarters, he had just 58 yards on 23 carries), and wide receiver Josh Kelly posting eight receptions for 108 yards.
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Game Notes …
— Colorado took a 6-5 lead in the all-time series with Texas Tech, picking up just CU’s second road win in the series (the Buffs picking up a 31-26 win the last time the two teams met in Lubbock, coming in 2007);
— The game was a sellout (60,229), marking the 19th time in 21 games of the Coach Prime era in which Colorado had played before a sellout crowd;
— The victory marked the first time in 20 years (2004 at Nebraska) that the Buffs won a road game following a bye week. CU had lost nine consecutive post-bye road games;
— Colorado raised its record to 3-0 in games when its opponents hosted Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff: 2023 at TCU: Buffs win 45-42; 2024 at UCF: Buffs win 48-21; 2024 at Texas Tech: Buffs win 41-27;
— CU won its fourth-straight road game, the most since the 2001-02 season when the Buffs won the last two of the 2001 Big 12 Championship season and the first two of the 2002 season. The victory marked the first time CU had won four straight road games in the same season since 1996 and the first time the Buffs had won four straight by at least 14 points each since the 1989 season when the Buffs won the Big Eight title and had a perfect 11-0 regular season;
— Colorado raised its record to 5-1 in Big 12 play, setting them only behind 6-0 BYU in the conference standings. With Kansas defeating Iowa State earlier in the day, CU gained control of its destiny with three games remaining in the regular season for an appearance in the Big 12 Championship game;
— Travis Hunter had nine receptions for 99 yards. It was his seventh game with 90-plus yards, tied for the CU record for a season. Other than an interception which was negated by penalty, Hunter was targeted zero times in 46 passing plays. On the season, PFF had him targeted just 26 times in 269 defensive passing plays and giving up 16 receptions for 120 yards with no touchdowns and just four first downs;
–LaJohntay Wester grabbed his eighth touchdown of the season, with Hunter getting No. 9. The duo became the first in CU history to both have eight or more touchdown receptions in the same season;
— Shedeur Sanders went 30-of-43 for 291 yards and three touchdowns passing with no interceptions and one rushing touchdown for four total scores. He tied the CU record with 20 straight games with a passing touchdown, matching Sefo Liufau’s record which is both overall and to start a CU career;
— Arden Walker became the 6th different player for Colorado to have a two-sack game in the 2024 season. In 2023, the Buffs had one player with one two-sack game;
— Big play defense … CU’s defense came up with a season high 10 tackles for loss including six sacks and forced three turnovers, all in the fourth quarter, and added three fourth down stops. Despite giving up 180 yards in the fourth quarter, the Buffs surrendered just seven points with one interception and two fumble recoveries, the last of which Shilo Sanders picked up to score his second career defensive touchdown in the game’s final minute to ice the game. CU also had two fourth down stops including one inside the five-yard line in the fourth quarter. CU’s six sacks marked the second-highest total of the season, behind seven at Arizona, also the second-most in a road game in the past 20 seasons since having eight at Washington State on September 11, 2004.
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7 Replies to “No. 21 CU 41, Texas Tech 27”
Still zero run game. Yeah there were a couple of games where it might have amounted for something but its obvious shurmur isn’t about to do anything about it. The rest of the opponents for the season may not require it anyway. Some where Mike Leach is smiling.
This is the reason Shedeur should be the leading heisman candidate along with the RB from Boise. Both teams are riding entirely on their shoulders.
Would it be too much to ask for shurmur to design some plays/schemes that would help the run for the bowl game? If not he might as well resign after the season cause next year there wont be any Shedeur…….unless Lewis decides to abandon the sinking USC ship come here and be the second coming of Shedeur, Does Vegas have odds on that?
Yup,
The penalties, especially the taunting on defense, cause they usually happen during an important big play stop.
Shilo is a good dancer. That is the post period.
Watching some of the other offenses, the Buffs are not the best. Period!! But they are exciting.
Prime has done a dang good job. Killing all the critics. Love it.
Go Buffs.
3 to go.
Note: Utah came oh so close to beating that other school
Note: Buffs got a lot of help the last two weeks to put them in the position they are in. Execute now.
Note: Bowl game is not enough, you already have that.
Note: Get to the big 12 championship game. Win it!! Then on to the tournament.
Great win, but Coach Prime has to get his players to stop the taunting crap. It hasn’t cost them a game yet but could have today. This one should have been over halfway through the 4th quarter instead of in the last 40 seconds or so.
Agree with your taunting comment. I would also like to see the home run ball to Hunter at the end of the game gone too. When we should be focused on using clock.
Totally agree with above comments, was pacing back and forth
That said, kudos to the D for stepping up, they looked dominant with swagger in the last 8 mins or so
I agree and I was yelling the same at the TV when it happened. But… that same intensity and confidence is what is driving to wins in the last half of the games… I DON’T LIKE IT and I want to see it coached so it stops. But after the win I’m forgiving… Because… they WON! And two, they are showing their belief in their ability to finish games.
But that shit will cost them when they get to a bowl or a championship game, conference or otherwise.
So, Prime let’s get that under control. I do like the confidence… and, it’s easier to forgive when they get the stop/win.
Great game. Deion is just getting started in Boulder.
Cannot wait to hear all the “well, #1 qb, heisman winner, anyone could win with that. Let’s see what he can do without em” all offseason.
Go Buffs