Gut Punch


2018 Season Archive

Gut Punch

//posted 10.27.2018

At just past 5:00 p.m., sunshine was beating down on Folsom Field.

On an otherwise perfect 68-degree fall afternoon, the sun had come out earlier, just as the Oregon State offense caught fire. The Beavers had rallied from a 31-3 deficit to make it a 34-28 game late in the fourth quarter.

As the game neared its four hour mark, the sun hid behind a cloud, giving those of us on the east side of the stadium a bit of relief from the sun’s rays. It had been cloudy as the Buffs build a 28-point lead, so I was hoping that the return of the clouds would also mean the return of order for the Buffs … and somehow the Colorado defense would figure out a way to make a play against an Oregon State team which hadn’t beaten an FBS team in almost two full years.

My wish was not granted.

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Pac-12 Notes

//posted 10.27.2018

In case you were wondering if things couldn’t get any worse: All four November CU opponents won this weekend, with three of those wins coming over ranked opponents …

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Steven Montez: “We just have to see who brings their A-game on Saturday” … More than bowl eligibility at stake for Buffs against Oregon StateĀ … Neill Woelk Friday’s Fast Five … Depleted cornerback corps to be tested v. OSU …

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Friday Fast Facts

//posted 10.26.2018

Buffs biggest favorite in the Pac-12 this week … Oregon State 100th or worse in 15 statistical categories … Utah posts Pac-12 first … Trivia: What Joel Klatt record is Steven Montez poised to pass this weekend? … What is the connection between OSU and Dal Ward? …

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“T.I.P.S.” for CU’s Homecoming game against Oregon State … Buffs a 23.5-point favorite over the 127th-ranked scoring defense in the nation … How does Darrin Chiaverini’s offense stack up against Brian Lingren’s? …

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Colorado, down a number of starters and playing the back half of a tough road swing, was in the game until the midway point of the fourth quarter, eventually falling to No. 15 Washington, 27-13. The Huskies out-gained the Buffs, 351 yards to 263, in a game controlled by the defenses.

The Huskies were led by quarterback Jake Browning, who went was held to 150 yards passing, but also contributed 25 yards rushing on scrambles. Buff quarterback Steven Montez went 17-for-28 for 144 yards, with one touchdown and one interception, but was harried all afternoon by the Washington defensive line. Travon McMillian led the Buffs in rushing, with 25 carries for 86 yards.

Notably, all of CU’s points were scored by true freshman. With star wide receiver Laviska Shenault out with a toe injury, CU’s touchdown was scored by true freshman wide receiver Daniel Arias, who turned his first career catch into a 37-yard touchdown. The Buff field goals were posted by true freshman kicker Evan Price, who was good from 37 and 26 yards. Price was in for James Stefanou, out with a hip injury.

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Sunday Afternoon Quarterback

//posted 10.21.2018

Buffs fall to No. 7 in my Pac-12 Power Rankings … There’s a new No. 1, while Oregon State (at CU, Saturday, 1:00 p.m., MT, Pac-12 Networks) solidifies its position at the bottom of the conference …

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Anyone who follows CU at the Game knows that I am a big believer in schadenfreude.

The “satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else’s misfortune” is not for everyone. There are those who say they cheer for Colorado State when the Rams are not playing the Buffs, but I have never understood that sentiment. If the Rams and Cornhuskers (as long as they remain on the Buffs’ schedule) go 0-12 every season, that’s just fine with me.

Schadenfreude led me earlier this week to Go Big Redcast, a podcast put out by Nebraska Cornhusker fans. With the Buffs coming off of a tough loss against USC, I wanted to ease my pain by hearing about the suffering of the Husker Nation. Nebraska was off to the worst start in school history (0-6), and in the midst of a school-record ten-game losing streak overall. I tuned in expecting to hear Cornhusker fans mourning the state of their program.

Instead, I heard fans trying to stay upbeat, trying to see the progress being made in Scott Frost’s first year. Sure, they were upset about Nebraska blowing a ten-point lead in the final five minutes in what was to become an overtime loss to Northwestern last weekend, but they still tried to find the positives from the game.

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Pac-12 Notes

//posted 10.20.2018

Oregon State (CU’s next opponent) takes a step backward in 49-7 loss to Cal … Oregon comeback against WSU falls short … Utah dominates USC to take control of the Pac-12 South …

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Colorado Daily

//posted 10.20.2018

Steven Montez: “We have something to prove” … Full list of mid-season award lists for Shenault, Landman, Montez and MacIntyre … Huskies’ revised goal: First Rose Bowl in 18 years … Neill Woelk: Friday’s Fast Five for Washington game …

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Friday Fast Facts

//posted 10.19.2018

Laviska Shenault ties a school record set in 1990 … Ol’ Crimson finally finds its way home … Trivia: What does Washington’s Chris Petersen have in common with a legendary Notre Dame head coach? …

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Your “T.I.P.S” for CU’s trip to Seattle … CU is 0-6 vs. Washington as a member of the Pac-12 (and have been within 27 points only once) … Can the Buffs take advantage of a Washington team down and out after losing to its biggest rival (and losing its chance at the CFP)? …

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