Sept. 18th – Minnesota – Why Should We Continue to Care?

Colorado put on an offensive debacle for the record books, falling at home to Minnesota, 30-0. In extending its scoreless streak to seven quarters, the Buff offense managed only 63 yards of total offense … 82 yards passing and … wait for it … minus-19 yards rushing. The Buffs were outgained by the Gophers, 443 yards to 63, had only seven first downs, and held the ball for only 19:47 of game clock (to 40:13 for Minnesota).

If it not for a poor kicking performance by the Gophers (two missed field goals and a missed extra point), the score would have been even worse. Minnesota was led by running back Treyson Potts, who had 121 yards rushing on 26 carries, scoring three touchdowns. Quarterback Tanner Morgan was an efficient 11-for-17 for 161 yards and a touchdown.

The offensive Colorado “offense” was “led” by an ineffective Brendon Lewis, who was 8-for-16 passing for all of 55 yards. When he wasn’t holding the ball instead of throwing, he was harassed into multiple sacks … by a defense which came into the game with exactly zero sacks in its first two games.

“We ended up having a very difficult game and not looking very good”, said CU head coach Karl Dorrell. “You don’t enjoy looking at those opportunities when they come up and it’s unfortunate that is something that happened this Saturday. That was a complete beatdown”.

The 63 yards on offense was the eighth-lowest in school history (the fewest since 46 against Oklahoma in the 2004 Big 12 title game at Kansas City). It was the third-lowest output in a home game (51 vs. Nebraska in 1964, 61 vs. USC in 2002).

“We got a lot of work to do”, said Dorrell. “I’m not blaming the players. It’s going to be us coaches. We’ve got to get the same page. I’ve been through this scenario many times before in other places that I’ve coached. We can overcome it, we can get back, but it’s going to take a great deal of work”.

Many of you read and commented on my Essay for the Northern Colorado, entitled “It’s All Relative”.

While the gist of the article was to discuss how CU’s lackluster 35-7 win over Northern Colorado had to be kept in perspective, it was also a play on words, as that game was also – at least for me – all about my relatives.

I brought in my whole family – 15 of us in all, including seven grandchildren – to Boulder for the Labor Day weekend. My purpose was to bring my school my children and grandchildren, most of whom had never been to Boulder or to a CU game. I wanted them to see what the Folsom Field experience was all about. I wanted them to understand why grandpa got on a plane four or five times every fall, heading to Colorado to watch football games … games which could be watched much more easily from the comfort of my home in Bozeman.

After watching the beat down the Buffs took against Minnesota, falling 30-0 at home in a game which wasn’t even that close, I have to ask the question myself:

Why do I keep doing this … only to be continuously disappointed?

Scouting report: Minnesota players to watch … Pat Rooney: It’s okay to admit it – this game could dictate the direction of the 2021 season … This just in: “They’ll try to run the football. We try to do the same” … CU NIL – Support Nate Landman with purchase of “The Hammer” t-shirt … Dave Plati’s depth chart makes ESPN …

Pac-12 AD’s (including Rick George) hesitant to support 12-team playoff … Biggest weekend ever for the Pac-12 Networks: Seven games in 13 hours … CSU a possible target for AAC expansion? … WSU coach hopes rain will help Cougars upset USC … Who didn’t see this coming? SEC schools accused of poaching recruits with NIL deals …

CU is 3-0 all-time v. Minnesota, including a rout in the only game played in Boulder … Race to 1,000: Alex Fontenot is at 996 career rushing yards; Jarek Broussard is at 958 … A Buff is 1st in the Pac-12 (and 3rd nationally) – in what category? … Pac-12 favored to go 10-0 in non-conference games …

Both teams have 1-1 records, with wins and losses as forecast … The victor will have a leg up on a bowl bid, while the loser will face an uphill climb to six wins … Both teams run the ball well, but struggle in the passing game – which team will break out of its early season struggles? …

The Buffs lost a 10-7 heartbreaker to No. 5 Texas A&M … Was the game an indication of how far the Buffs have risen? Or will there be a hangover which haunts them against Minnesota? … The Golden Gophers bring a strong rushing attack (but a suspect defense) to Boulder … Who will Mike Bohn hire to replace Clay Helton at USC? …