Oct. 15th – California – Stay of Execution: The Call from the Governor

A 22-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback J.T. Shrout to Montana Lemonious-Craig gave CU the lead in overtime, with the Buff defense making it stand up with a four down stop, giving Colorado a 20-13 overtime win over California. Cal had a first-and-goal at the CU 10-yard line, but a fourth-and-goal pass fell incomplete, preserving the victory. The Buffs, who had only led once during the first five games of the season – and that was in the first quarter of the first game – had leads of 3-0, 10-7, and 13-10 before taking the lead for good in overtime.

The much maligned Colorado defense, dead last in the nation in rushing defense (giving up an average of 294.2 yards per game), held the Cal offense to 35 yards rushing, with the Bears held to 297 yards of total offense overall. The Buff offense, which had also struggled, posted only 328 yards of total offense, but had its first 100-yard receiving game of the season, with Montana Lemonious-Craig collecting eight passes for 119 yards and the game-winning touchdown. Backup J.T. Shrout, who replaced injured starter Owen McCown in the third quarter, completed 8-of-12 passes for 69 yards.

“This is all about the players,” interim coach Mike Sanford said. “Their resilience, their resolve. I’m really proud of these players. As I told them in the locker room, the best part about being 1-0 in our new season is the chance to be 2-0.”

“I have had some pretty good moments with this program, but I’ll definitely put this one in the books”, said senior defensive lineman Terrance Lang. “It was a hard-fought win and we deserve it. And credit to those fans, man. I love our fans. They show up every time.”

A sellout crowd of 50,471 basked in a warm October afternoon, watching the Buffs first victory since taking down Washington on November 20, 2021. “I mean we love Buff Nation,” said hero of the game Montana Lemonious-Craig. “They stay with us through thick and thin and when they stormed the field it was just great vibes, great energy all over the place and we’re just happy we were able to get the win for them because at the end of the day, our fans show up week in week out, no matter the record, no matter nothing. They come here and give us their all, so we’re glad that we were able to give them our all.”

It almost never happens in real life, but it happens so often in the movies as to almost be cliché.

The innocent man has had his final meal, and has made his final walk. Out there somewhere, our heroes are fighting the system, desperately to gain a reprieve. Sometimes its a last minute stay of execution from the Supreme Court, but, often as not, it’s a call from the Governor’s office.

The unjustly accused is strapped to the gurney, the sinister warden looking grim and determined. The witnesses behind the glass are finally shown the adjudged killer, with the curtains slowly slid back out of place, exposing the antiseptic room of authorized killing.

The clock on the wall creeps towards midnight (why is it always midnight?), while a priest mumbles prayers in the corner.

Then, at the last minute, the phone – almost always red – rings, and the accused is given a reprieve.

Welcome to Colorado football, 2022.

Game Day! … Drew Litton gets it! (again) … Buffs hoping for a fresh start: “Everybody’s seen a different energy” … Prepping for the Whiteout against Cal … Neill Woelk’s Keys to the Cal Game … CU projects to be near capacity for Cal game …

A guaranteed Bar Bet Winner … Records of CU’s previous interim head coaches … Two Buffs no longer on the roster … What school record did OL Van Wells set in the Arizona game? … A shout out to Kimbirly Orr … CU’s record on Family Weekend …

Dear Andy Staples: Can Interim Coaches Hold Success? … Big Ten Commissioner: “I don’t believe we are in a position that we have to go out and aggressively try to recruit any other schools” … CU solidifies hold on No. 1 in ESPN Bottom Ten … The Last Remaining Winless FBS Team is CBS No. 1 in Bottom 25 …

CU hasn’t gone winless in a season since the 19th century, but may be facing an 0-12 campaign if the Buffs can’t take down the Bears … Jayden Ott has more rushing TD’s in the last two games than CU has all season, but was largely shut down by WSU … Can the Buffs’ offense build on its three touchdown performance against Arizona? …

The Buffs have found new energy under the interim coaching staff, but will it be enough to overcome the Cal Bears? … Will the Buffs enjoy the same “Interim Coach Bump” which other Power Five schools have with their interim staffs, or will Buff fans spend Saturday afternoon searching for moral victories? … Let’s find out …