The Colorado Buffaloes have faced plenty of adversity this season but they faced a new kind of challenge on Saturday when Oregon State sent things into overtime on a 60-yard field goal.
But Brendon Lewis and company didn’t fret and scored on both overtime possessions to take down the Beavs, 37-34. True freshman kicker Cole Becker played hero, among many others, when he nailed the game-winner from 42 yards out.
Head coach Karl Dorrell said his young Buffs took another step forward in terms of maturation. Perhaps the “binky,” as Dorrell coined, is slowly making its way out.
“They’re starting to navigate and find a way,” Dorrell said. “They’re starting to deal with the difficult circumstances and overcoming those things. By no means are we where we need to be, and I’m not saying that all of a sudden we got the answers —no, I’m not saying that. But I feel that they’re starting to learn how to deal with some stressful moments.”
Following a Brendon Lewis to Brenden Rice 2-yard touchdown, Colorado held a 10-point lead in the third quarter. Oregon State, however, answered against a Nate Landman-less Buffaloes’ defense and scored 14 unanswered points to take a 24-20 lead midway through the fourth quarter.
The Buffs’ offense was now needing a touchdown, and they delivered. Jarek Broussard, who rushed for a season-high 151 yards, found 49 of those to bring CU’s offense down to the OSU 23. A few failed plays later, Colorado was facing a third-and-15 when Lewis connected with Montana Lemonious-Craig just inches inside the endzone.
Colorado’s freshman QB has now thrown for six touchdowns in his previous two games.
“My confidence has skyrocketed,” Lewis said. “I feel like if we hit plays early in the game, then my confidence goes up from there, and then the rest of the game is just a breeze. Like I said earlier, my teammates, when I see them make plays, it makes me want to keep going.”
But after OSU missed a field goal on its ensuing drive, Colorado was unable to run out 32 seconds of the clock. OSU kicker Everett Hayes then nailed an impressive 60-yard field goal to send the game into overtime.
In CU’s first overtime possession, Lewis once again delivered in the clutch with a 9-yard rushing touchdown. The Beavers retaliated with a touchdown of their own but then missed a field goal on the first drive of the second overtime.
All Colorado needed was a score and Becker’s 42-yard field goal was enough to send the homecoming crowd home happy.
“That’s the moment all young kickers dream about,” Becker said.