The Buffs’ offense will be relying on a few wide receivers to take the next step
Colorado has more of a history at the wide receiver position than one might notice given its history of running the football. The Buffs have consistently developed playmakers on the outside and have pushed that talent to the NFL. The 1990s saw eight different Buffs receivers drafted, including four first-round picks in a seven-year span.
Now in 2022, Colorado is looking for new faces to fill the void left by a few players departing via either graduation or the transfer portal.
Will a new Buff be able to join the ranks of the Michael Westbrooks, the Paul Richardsons and the Laviska Shenault Jrs. of the world?
Ty Robinson caught his first career touchdown pass
Something good happened for the Buffaloes in Eugene.
Faced with a 21-point deficit, Colorado drove 77 yards on nine plays to get on the scoreboard early in the second quarter against No. 7 Oregon.
The drive had a promising beginning when Brendon Lewis connected with Brady Russell on the first snap. Russell fought off multiple Oregon defenders after the catch to complete a nice 28-yard gain. From there, Colorado’s versatile rushing attack carried most of the load. Alex Fontenot, Jarek Broussard and Deion Smith all had runs for at least nine yards to push CU deep into Oregon territory.
Lewis capped off the drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to true freshman Ty Robinson. The leaping end zone grab was Robinson’s first college TD.
RECAP: Small improvements were seen in the CU Buffs’ Pac-12 opener loss to Arizona State
It wasn’t a shutout. but the offense continued to lag in Colorado’s third consecutive loss as the Buffs’ Pac-12 opener went the way of the Sun Devils, 35-13.
Two field goals and a touchdown were all the Buffaloes could muster on Saturday against an Arizona State squad that is a growing threat to win the Pac-12 South.
Despite throwing for just 67 yards, Brendon Lewis took another step forward according to Karl Dorrell. Colorado’s ground attack, however, was the beacon of positivity. Alex Fontenot ran for 65 yards and a touchdown while Jarek Broussard had 35 to become Colorado’s quickest to 1,000 career rushing yards. When all was complete, CU outgained ASU on the ground 183 to 167.
After Cole Becker hit a 51-yard field goal late in the second half, which ended CU’s Pac-12 record 24 consecutive scoreless possessions, the Buffs came out firing in the third quarter. Lewis completed a 26-yard jet sweep to Ty Robinson and it appeared the Buffaloes’ offense had been revived. Fontenot ended the drive with a 1-yard rushing TD and ASU’s lead was trimmed to 14-10.
TEMPE, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 25: Running back Alex Fontenot #8 of the Colorado Buffaloes reacts after scoring on a one-yard rushing touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half of the NCAAF game at Sun Devil Stadium on September 25, 2021 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
“I was really encouraged that we came out of halftime with the ball and we went down the field and scored,” Dorrell said. “That was kind of more reminiscent of what we saw a year ago with how we played with the running game really leading the way.”
In the fourth quarter, Colorado handed the ball off every time but twice despite being down big. The nearly 100% ground attack produced a meaningless fourth quarter Becker field goal.
The Buffs’ defense, which has been solid in 2021, struggled to contain the explosiveness of ASU QB Jayden Daniels. His 75 yards rushing led the team and caused fits in the Buffs’ secondary. Colorado’s defense relinquished seven plays over 20 yards and couldn’t record a sack or a turnover. Nate Landman led with 10 total tackles.
While the effort may have been an improvement over last week, better results are still the goal.
“Progress doesn’t keep you stable,” Dorrell said. “We’re frustrated, we’re all frustrated, they’re frustrated, coaches, everybody is. But that’s kind of the nature of the beast… We got to be big men and grow up and try to get some things fixed in a hurry so we can be productive, and I think we’re pretty close. I don’t think we’re that far away.”
Up next for Colorado will be a home matchup on Oct. 2 with the likewise discombobulated USC Trojans.
