CU Buffs’ Struggles Continue in Nebraska: A Game of Missed Opportunities
September 8, 2024, 4:03 pm
The Colorado Buffaloes faced a harsh reality in Lincoln, Nebraska, as they were soundly defeated by the Cornhuskers, 28-10. The game unfolded like a slow-motion train wreck, with the Buffs unable to recover from a disastrous start.
From the opening kickoff, the Buffs seemed outmatched. Their first offensive series ended in a three-and-out, a disheartening omen. Nebraska seized the moment, marching down the field with ease. Dante Dowdell capped a seven-play drive with a 12-yard touchdown run. The Buffs were already on the back foot.
A glimmer of hope appeared when Jimmy Horn Jr. returned the ensuing kickoff 61 yards. The crowd buzzed with anticipation. But hope quickly turned to despair. On fourth-and-1 from the Nebraska 28-yard line, the Buffs faltered. They failed to convert, handing the momentum back to the Cornhuskers.
Nebraska’s defense was relentless. They pinned the Buffs deep in their territory. A 60-yard punt from Brian Buschini left CU at their own 2-yard line. The pressure mounted. On the very next play, disaster struck. Shedeur Sanders’ pass was intercepted by Tommi Hill, who waltzed into the end zone for a pick-six. Just like that, it was 14-0. The Buffs were reeling.
The second quarter offered little respite. Nebraska missed a 32-yard field goal, a brief flicker of hope for CU. But the Huskers quickly extinguished it. Dowdell scored again, this time from a yard out, pushing the lead to 21-0. The Buffs finally found some rhythm, driving to the Nebraska 12-yard line. But their hopes were dashed again when Alejandro Mata’s 29-yard field goal attempt was blocked.
The first half ended with Nebraska in complete control, leading 28-0. The Buffs had not only failed to score but had also squandered opportunities. The offense looked disjointed, and the defense struggled to contain Nebraska’s ground game.
The third quarter was a different story. The Buffs finally found their footing. After forcing a Nebraska punt, they marched down the field. A 27-yard field goal from Mata put CU on the board. The crowd exhaled, but the damage was done. Nebraska still led 28-3.
The fourth quarter brought a flicker of hope. The Buffs managed to score a touchdown, with Sanders connecting with LaJohntay Wester for a 5-yard pass. But it was too little, too late. The final score read 28-10, a stark reminder of the Buffs’ struggles.
Individual performances stood out amid the chaos. Travis Hunter shone on offense, racking up 10 catches for 110 yards. He was a beacon of light in an otherwise dim performance. On defense, Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig was a force, recording 11 tackles and three tackles for loss. But individual brilliance couldn’t mask the team’s collective shortcomings.
The statistics tell a story of missed opportunities. The Buffs managed only 260 total yards compared to Nebraska’s 334. Their rushing game was nearly nonexistent, with just 16 yards on 22 attempts. The offensive line struggled, allowing six sacks and failing to establish any semblance of a running game.
Penalties plagued both teams, but CU’s 9 penalties for 104 yards were particularly damaging. They shot themselves in the foot repeatedly, unable to overcome their mistakes. Time of possession favored Nebraska, who controlled the clock for over 35 minutes.
The Buffs’ season is still young, but this loss raises questions. Can they bounce back? Will they learn from their mistakes? The road ahead is fraught with challenges. They must find a way to build momentum and confidence.
The loss in Nebraska was a wake-up call. The Buffs need to regroup and refocus. They must learn to capitalize on opportunities and minimize mistakes. The season is a marathon, not a sprint.
As they head into the next game, the Buffs must remember this defeat. It should serve as a lesson, a reminder of what happens when preparation meets opportunity. They have the talent. Now, they need to harness it.
In the world of college football, every game is a chance to grow. The Buffs must take this setback and turn it into fuel. The road to redemption starts now. The question is, will they rise to the occasion? Only time will tell.
From the opening kickoff, the Buffs seemed outmatched. Their first offensive series ended in a three-and-out, a disheartening omen. Nebraska seized the moment, marching down the field with ease. Dante Dowdell capped a seven-play drive with a 12-yard touchdown run. The Buffs were already on the back foot.
A glimmer of hope appeared when Jimmy Horn Jr. returned the ensuing kickoff 61 yards. The crowd buzzed with anticipation. But hope quickly turned to despair. On fourth-and-1 from the Nebraska 28-yard line, the Buffs faltered. They failed to convert, handing the momentum back to the Cornhuskers.
Nebraska’s defense was relentless. They pinned the Buffs deep in their territory. A 60-yard punt from Brian Buschini left CU at their own 2-yard line. The pressure mounted. On the very next play, disaster struck. Shedeur Sanders’ pass was intercepted by Tommi Hill, who waltzed into the end zone for a pick-six. Just like that, it was 14-0. The Buffs were reeling.
The second quarter offered little respite. Nebraska missed a 32-yard field goal, a brief flicker of hope for CU. But the Huskers quickly extinguished it. Dowdell scored again, this time from a yard out, pushing the lead to 21-0. The Buffs finally found some rhythm, driving to the Nebraska 12-yard line. But their hopes were dashed again when Alejandro Mata’s 29-yard field goal attempt was blocked.
The first half ended with Nebraska in complete control, leading 28-0. The Buffs had not only failed to score but had also squandered opportunities. The offense looked disjointed, and the defense struggled to contain Nebraska’s ground game.
The third quarter was a different story. The Buffs finally found their footing. After forcing a Nebraska punt, they marched down the field. A 27-yard field goal from Mata put CU on the board. The crowd exhaled, but the damage was done. Nebraska still led 28-3.
The fourth quarter brought a flicker of hope. The Buffs managed to score a touchdown, with Sanders connecting with LaJohntay Wester for a 5-yard pass. But it was too little, too late. The final score read 28-10, a stark reminder of the Buffs’ struggles.
Individual performances stood out amid the chaos. Travis Hunter shone on offense, racking up 10 catches for 110 yards. He was a beacon of light in an otherwise dim performance. On defense, Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig was a force, recording 11 tackles and three tackles for loss. But individual brilliance couldn’t mask the team’s collective shortcomings.
The statistics tell a story of missed opportunities. The Buffs managed only 260 total yards compared to Nebraska’s 334. Their rushing game was nearly nonexistent, with just 16 yards on 22 attempts. The offensive line struggled, allowing six sacks and failing to establish any semblance of a running game.
Penalties plagued both teams, but CU’s 9 penalties for 104 yards were particularly damaging. They shot themselves in the foot repeatedly, unable to overcome their mistakes. Time of possession favored Nebraska, who controlled the clock for over 35 minutes.
The Buffs’ season is still young, but this loss raises questions. Can they bounce back? Will they learn from their mistakes? The road ahead is fraught with challenges. They must find a way to build momentum and confidence.
The loss in Nebraska was a wake-up call. The Buffs need to regroup and refocus. They must learn to capitalize on opportunities and minimize mistakes. The season is a marathon, not a sprint.
As they head into the next game, the Buffs must remember this defeat. It should serve as a lesson, a reminder of what happens when preparation meets opportunity. They have the talent. Now, they need to harness it.
In the world of college football, every game is a chance to grow. The Buffs must take this setback and turn it into fuel. The road to redemption starts now. The question is, will they rise to the occasion? Only time will tell.