(Denver, CO) Coming into Friday night’s rivalry matchup, many expected the 2017 Rocky Mountain Showdown to be more evenly matched than last season. While it certainly was a more balanced competition, the Colorado Buffs came out on top yet again with a final score of 17-3. The Colorado State Rams entered their second game of the season coming off a 58-27 thrashing against Oregon State. Furthermore, many college football analysists determined the Rams to have a very overlooked and underrated offense that can challenge any defense. However, the combination of a focused secondary for the Buffs, along with multiple penalties committed by the Rams’ offense on potential game-changing plays, resulted in the Buffs first win of the season.
The first score of the game came from a 45-yard touchdown run by Buffs Senior Tailback, Phillip Lindsay, who took matters into his own hands and powered through a tight opening to reach the end-zone. Buffs head coach Mike MacIntyre mentioned that he has worked on and consistently emphasized the importance of letting the lineman make the blocks they need to make in order for holes to open up. On the philosophy MacIntyre takes in coaching his players, he explained that “Players make plays and players win games. We can talk about all the coaching we want, but if we recruit, develop and coach them right and believe in their ability, their understanding takes over.” This way, a little patience to let the play develop goes a long way for Lindsay who has the strength to break tackles and the pace to out-run chasing defenders.
The momentum of the game continued to flow in the Buffs’ favor as they were able to score a 39-yard field goal on the following drive by Freshman Australian kicker, James Stefanou. On the very next Buffs’ drive, Sophomore Quarterback, Steven Montez, scrambled away from the rushing defensive linemen and launched a 32-yard beauty of a spiral, to the Senior Wide Receiver, Shay Fields Jr, who reeled it in for six points. The Rams, continuing to battle, were able to put 3 points on the board before the closing of the first-half with a 31-yard field goal by Red Shirt Junior kicker, Wyatt Bryan.
Though there were plenty of concerns regarding the Buff’s defense as they lost 8 of their primary and most valuable defenders, the new-comers stepped up in a big way and were able to contain the volatile Rams offense that is led by a talented Red Shirt Senior Quarterback Nick Stevens. Even though the Buffs’ secondary was able to contain the passing game for the most part, it was multiple penalties on significant drives down the field that kept the Rams’ offense in check. When asked about the circumstances of the penalties called, CU Coach MacIntyre stated that “Calls go either way all the time, no doubt about it. We never complain about it. We have a quote in our office that says ‘No Excuses, No Regrets, Just Keep Playing.” Ultimately, the Buffs were successful in keeping the Rams from finding any kind of rhythm to get them back in the game.
The main concern for Coach MacIntyre is that his team keeps pressing to improve in every aspect from week to week. He specifically believes that “That’s the biggest jump you have, for any team, is from the first week to the second week. My dad used to say it all the time and it is a true statement.” Perhaps this game could have ended in a closer result had the Rams been more disciplined in regards to offensive penalties, but the Buffs’ played a more organized and effective style of football which is the reason they are the victors in this match-up.
Next, the Buffs will take on the Texas State Bobcats at home for the first game at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado this season at 12:00 PM MDT on Saturday, September 9th. If you are unable to attend the game, it will be broadcasted on the Pac-12 Network. The Rams will head to New Mexico on Saturday, September 9th to take on the Abilene Christian Wildcats.
The first score of the game came from a 45-yard touchdown run by Buffs Senior Tailback, Phillip Lindsay, who took matters into his own hands and powered through a tight opening to reach the end-zone. Buffs head coach Mike MacIntyre mentioned that he has worked on and consistently emphasized the importance of letting the lineman make the blocks they need to make in order for holes to open up. On the philosophy MacIntyre takes in coaching his players, he explained that “Players make plays and players win games. We can talk about all the coaching we want, but if we recruit, develop and coach them right and believe in their ability, their understanding takes over.” This way, a little patience to let the play develop goes a long way for Lindsay who has the strength to break tackles and the pace to out-run chasing defenders.
The momentum of the game continued to flow in the Buffs’ favor as they were able to score a 39-yard field goal on the following drive by Freshman Australian kicker, James Stefanou. On the very next Buffs’ drive, Sophomore Quarterback, Steven Montez, scrambled away from the rushing defensive linemen and launched a 32-yard beauty of a spiral, to the Senior Wide Receiver, Shay Fields Jr, who reeled it in for six points. The Rams, continuing to battle, were able to put 3 points on the board before the closing of the first-half with a 31-yard field goal by Red Shirt Junior kicker, Wyatt Bryan.
Though there were plenty of concerns regarding the Buff’s defense as they lost 8 of their primary and most valuable defenders, the new-comers stepped up in a big way and were able to contain the volatile Rams offense that is led by a talented Red Shirt Senior Quarterback Nick Stevens. Even though the Buffs’ secondary was able to contain the passing game for the most part, it was multiple penalties on significant drives down the field that kept the Rams’ offense in check. When asked about the circumstances of the penalties called, CU Coach MacIntyre stated that “Calls go either way all the time, no doubt about it. We never complain about it. We have a quote in our office that says ‘No Excuses, No Regrets, Just Keep Playing.” Ultimately, the Buffs were successful in keeping the Rams from finding any kind of rhythm to get them back in the game.
The main concern for Coach MacIntyre is that his team keeps pressing to improve in every aspect from week to week. He specifically believes that “That’s the biggest jump you have, for any team, is from the first week to the second week. My dad used to say it all the time and it is a true statement.” Perhaps this game could have ended in a closer result had the Rams been more disciplined in regards to offensive penalties, but the Buffs’ played a more organized and effective style of football which is the reason they are the victors in this match-up.
Next, the Buffs will take on the Texas State Bobcats at home for the first game at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado this season at 12:00 PM MDT on Saturday, September 9th. If you are unable to attend the game, it will be broadcasted on the Pac-12 Network. The Rams will head to New Mexico on Saturday, September 9th to take on the Abilene Christian Wildcats.