Oct 4th – Oregon State – “There Are No Moral Victories”

Colorado went over 400 yards in total offense for the fifth straight game, something not seen in Boulder since 1996, but the 431 yards of total offense were not enough to overcome mistakes and some questionable officiating, with Oregon State escaping Boulder with a 36-31 victory.

The game was close on the scoreboard and on the stats sheet. Oregon State had 445 yards of total offense; Colorado 431. The Buffs had the edge in first downs, 25-22, and both teams went 6-for-14 on third down attempts. The Buffs did have one costly turnover, an interception which led to an eight yard touchdown drive by the Beavers in the first quarter.

Sefo Liufau went 32-for-49 for 308 yards, two touchdowns and that costly interception. Nelson Spruce, the nation’s leader in catches, yardage and touchdowns, was held to six catches for 35 yards. Tyler McCulloch helped to pick up the slack, with four receptions for 76 yards and two touchdowns. Michael Adkins, who had 14 carries for nine yards in the previous four games, had 13 carries for 79 yards and a touchdown to lead the Buffs’ rushing attack.

Which was harder to take?

Last season in Corvallis, Colorado stayed with Oregon State for almost a half. By the end of the third quarter, though, it was 38-3, with the Buffs posting a pair of fourth quarter consolation touchdowns in a 44-17 final.

This season in Boulder, Colorado stayed with Oregon State throughout the entire game. Falling behind 14-0 early, the Buffs rallied to take a 21-20 lead, and were poised for a game-winning touchdown drive before failing to move the sticks in OSU territory in a 36-31 loss.

In 2013, the loss to the Beavers was not really a shock; the domination by the Beavers in the second half pretty much expected. Yes, it was painful to sit there in the rain as the Beaver fans celebrated touchdown after touchdown, but there was a numbness to it … after all, we’d been there, done that.

In 2014, the loss to the Beavers was a shock; there was no domination by the opposition. Fans left Folsom Field muttering about what woulda/coulda/shoulda been.

Christian Powell (concussion) unavailable for OSU game … Will Oliver putting misses behind him

Key match-up: CU’s 19th-ranked passing offense taking on OSU’s 17th-ranked pass defense …

The first weekend in October could represent the most important weekend of CU’s 2014 schedule. If September is kind to the Buffs, a good start to an otherwise difficult month could give CU momentum for the remainder of the season …