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Colorado Buffaloes Week 14 produced yet another forgettable road loss. Coming off of wins against Stanford and Washington, fans had hope the Buffaloes could shake the College Football World by upsetting the Utah Utes. Even the players, including Steven Montez, thought there was reason to believe the Buffaloes would win. The hope faded as the Utes held serve, dishing up a 45-15 beat down of the Buffaloes in Salt Lake City. This loss means the 2019 Colorado Buffaloes will not be bowl eligible for the third straight season.

2019 Colorado Buffaloes Have Third Straight Year of 5-7

The Buffaloes finished 5-7 for the third straight year. This result is frustrating because for three straight years, the team has gone on the road in their last game of the season needing a win to get to the 6-6 benchmark required for bowl eligibility. For the second time in three years, the team lost in Salt Lake City (they lost 33-21 at California in the last game of 2018).

However, this year’s 5-7 had a different feel than last year’s 5-7 record. The Buffaloes were competitive in all their home games, and were able to win close games against comparable Pac-12 opponents. Almost no one nationally thought the Buffaloes would be able to beat Stanford and Washington. Head coach Mel Tucker’s recruiting efforts have also been recognized in Boulder and beyond.

Colorado Strikes First In Imperfect First Quarter

In 2017, both the Buffaloes and the Utes entered the game 5-6, and Utah won 34-13. Some thought Colorado had a chance in that game. This year, it was going to take perfect play from the Buffaloes. They were not able to attain perfect play, as they had a rather imperfect start. After Utah went 3-and-out on their first possession, Dimitri Stanley muffed a punt, resulting in a Utah recovery. However, the defense was able to force a punt from the Utes after they started the drive in Buffaloes territory.

Pre-game vibes 🎶🎶 pic.twitter.com/VSMGLgfkao

— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) December 1, 2019

For Colorado to have a chance, they would have to strike first. Laviska Shenault got involved on the drive. He would catch a pass from Steven Montez on a 4^th and 5 for six yards in Utah territory. Head coach Mel Tucker took the aggressive approach, knowing the Buffaloes would need to get the early lead. Montez would find Brady Russell for a touchdown with 43 seconds remaining in the first quarter to give the Buffaloes a 7-0 lead.

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Defensively, the Buffaloes stifled the Utes in the first quarter. Utah went three-and-out on their first three possessions. Utah did not get their first 1^st down until there were three seconds left in the opening quarter. The Buffaloes were pressuring Tyler Huntley, the Utes quarterback. However, Huntley would be able to evade Buffaloes defenders, causing major problems for the defense for the rest of the game.

Brant Kuithe Torches Buffaloes in 2nd Quarter

The Buffaloes were without safety Mikial Onu for this game, as he suffered shin splints in practice during the week. The Utes were able to break down the Buffaloes secondary with crossing routes and utilizing tight end Brant Kuithe. Kuithe would score both Utah touchdowns in the second quarter. He caught touchdown passes of 38 and seven yards from Huntley.

Down 14-7, the offense was forced into a three-and-out. Utah would get a chunk return on the punt, and the Buffaloes got a personal foul penalty on the play also. Despite the punt return, the Buffs defense was able to prevent Utah from scoring a third touchdown in the quarter. Trailing 17-7 at halftime, penalties and a lack of execution from the Buffaloes was telling to how the second half would go.

Colorado Comeback Hopes Put to Sleep

After both teams traded punts to open the second half, the Utes were able to put any thought of a Buffaloes comeback to sleep. They did this very slowly, as it took them 12 plays to go 48 yards. Taking seven minutes off the clock kept the Buffaloes defense on the field. Once they got off the field, the offense now faced a 24-7 deficit. Utah was able to convert four third downs on this drive. The game was flowing on Utah’s terms, and the Buffaloes could not get anything going offensively.

Frustration boiled over after Montez was sacked on a third down. Tackle Arlington Hambright pushed Utah defensive end Bradlee Anae to the ground. Multiple players were flagged on the play, and it epitomized the Buffaloes’ road struggles the whole season. The Buffaloes have dealt with penalties all season, as they came into the game with the second-most penalties in the Pac-12 (Utah was 1^st).

Forced to punt yet again after the scuffle, the Buffaloes special teams completely broke down. Utah returner Demari Simpkins bolted 66 yards to the end zone, giving the Utes a 31-7 lead. Montez would get one more touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to give him 63 passing touchdowns for his career (a CU record), but the Buffaloes were soundly defeated 45-15.

Mel Tucker Has Somewhat Successful 2019, Needs to Show Improvement in 2020

The Buffaloes did not convert their first third down of the game until the fourth quarter. They played losing football and got pummeled for the fourth consecutive road game. Counting all of the matchups against Oregon, Washington State, UCLA, and Utah, the Buffaloes were outscored 162-42. Mel Tucker has had a somewhat successful first year in Boulder. The team showed improvement during the season, and he has been able to lay a solid foundation recruiting-wise (such as with transfer Antonio Alfano). However, in these blowout road losses the team looked lost, and they had trouble adjusting to what opponents threw at them.

pic.twitter.com/XyOKJH0lQz

— Laviska Shenault Jr (@Viska2live) December 3, 2019

No one was expecting the Buffaloes to become world beaters in year one of the Tucker regime, but it is disappointing that the team was unable to make a bowl game. Making a bowl game would have done wonders for the program as far as exposure nationally and recruiting. The future is brighter than it was at the end of last season, but there is still plenty of work to be done. The team is losing star wide Laviska Shenault, who declared for the NFL draft on his Twitter page Tuesday. They are also losing Montez, who has exhausted his eligibility and is looked at as a Day 3 NFL Draft pick.

The Future of The Colorado Buffaloes Football Program

Tucker has made the phrase “Relentless” commonplace in Colorado Buffaloes football, and he will have to deliver in his relentless efforts to improve the Colorado Buffaloes for 2020 and beyond. There is hope for the future, as the Buffaloes were able to secure the services of Antonio Alfano and Jerry Rice’s son Brendan Rice, to name a few. Beating Pac-12 opponents such as Stanford and Washington also give fans hope that the Buffaloes will be able to compete with top Pac-12 competition and possibly accomplish the goal of being bowl-eligible in 2020.

Chants of “Sko Buffs” reverberated throughout Folsom Field as Colorado Buffaloes fans stormed the field after a 20-14 upset victory over the Washington Huskies. Going along with the win over Stanford, this win may shock some nationally. However, it shows the progress the team has made under Mel Tucker. Colorado Buffaloes Week 13 was the best of the season.

Honoring Seniors and Alums

The 2019 Colorado Buffaloes honored their seniors before their Week 13 game against the Washington Huskies. Among the seniors honored were quarterback Steven Montez (fifth-year), wide receiver Tony Brown, cornerback Delrick Abrams Jr., linebacker Davian Taylor, and safety Mikial Onu (graduate transfer). These seniors leave a complicated legacy at CU Boulder. They were undefeated against rivals CSU and Nebraska but were unable to make bowl games in 2017 and 2018.

The 1994 team that pulled off the “Miracle at Michigan” was also honored. Quarterback Kordell Stewart and the coach of that team, Bill McCartney, were among those honored.

Saying Farewell to Ralphie V

Also, the Buffaloes had to conduct a farewell of sorts to Ralphie V, who has been forced to retire because her speed has increased, causing safety concerns. Ralphie V was honored at halftime. Fans had the opportunity to visit with Ralphie V before the game, even though she did not run. The Buffaloes also had the “V” roman numeral on the left side of their helmet to honor Ralphie. On the positive side, the Buffaloes are looking to identify the next Ralphie (which will be Ralphie VI). Ralphie V has run for the Buffaloes since 2008 and is 13 years old. She will be cared for by the football program in retirement.

Fans should attend games at Folsom Field just to see Ralphie run. It is a sight to behold and a unique experience for fans of college football.

Buffaloes Stifle Huskies Offense

The team was ready to honor Ralphie V and the ’94 team. Offensively, the Buffaloes were stifled on their opening possession, but Alex Kinney had a 62-yard punt that was a thing of beauty. The football landed at the 1-yard line and bounced its way to the sideline. Somehow, it stayed out of the endzone, and the defense would not let this opportunity go to waste.

The Buffaloes stifled the Huskies on their first possession, and it would start a first half trend. Washington quarterback Jacob Eason was harassed by the Buffaloes’ pass rush for four sacks in the first half, but the Huskies had a chance to score in the second quarter. Being in the right place at the right time, linebacker Nate Landman picked off Eason to stop the drive. In what would be a six-point outcome, getting this interception was huge for the Buffaloes. Their backs were against the wall, and they did not break.

The next three Huskies possessions would all be three-and-outs to end the half, giving the Buffaloes their first shutout in a half this season. Washington has not had good offensive play as of late, and the Buffaloes capitalized on it.

Buffaloes Open Game Up On Shenault’s Highlight Play

How did he do it?

Only @Viska2live knows. 😎 pic.twitter.com/mhOEzQMYOW

— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) November 24, 2019

The offense would get off to a good start thanks to the legs of Steven Montez, evading defenders on multiple occasions. These plays could have been sacks, but Montez was determined to get positive plays all night. However, the Buffaloes struggled in the red zone, as their two first half opportunities resulted in two field goals. Colorado had chances to open this game up, and Laviska Shenault took advantage of a prime opportunity to do just that.

With 1:37 remaining in the second quarter, Montez would throw to Shenault, who got over his defender who looked to have a better position on the ball. He caught it for a touchdown, and it was the perfect moment for the tandem that has been so prevalent in Colorado Buffaloes football for the past two years. Montez, on senior night, was able to give his top receiver a chance. Shenault, in what may be his last game at Folsom Field, was able to haul in one more highlight-reel catch in front of the Folsom Faithful. Montez broke the passing touchdown record with his 61^st career touchdown pass. The Buffaloes went into the locker room as raucous cheers saturated Folsom Field.

Washington Does Not Go Quietly

Washington would not go quietly, and was helped by CU’s mishaps on defense though. On a 3^rd-and-7 during the Huskies’ opening possession, Derrion Rakestraw was flagged for unnecessary roughness on what would have been a fourth down for the Huskies. Washington was also able to convert a 2^nd-and-17, 3^rd-and-11, and 3^rd-and-6 on the opening drive also. The Huskies would eventually score to make the game 13-7.   

The Buffaloes’ offense would respond, as they drove 82 yards in 11 plays. On a 2^nd-and-goal from the Washington two-yard line, Montez appeared to trip but was able to pitch the ball back to Alex Fontenot. He would leap into the end zone to give the Buffaloes a 20-7 lead. It was very encouraging to see the offense pick the defense up. At times this season, the offensive and defensive units have had trouble complementing each other. However, the Buffaloes have improved in playing complementary football.

Washington was determined to stay in the game despite improvements in the Buffaloes’ game. The Huskies would convert two fourth downs in the next drive. There was a feeling of nervousness as the Buffaloes had to stay on the field defensively. Once again, the Huskies were within six points with 12:35 left to go.

Defense Does Enough, Buffaloes Close Game Out Again

Once again, the Buffaloes were in another one-possession game in the fourth quarter at Folsom Field. The offense was unable to move the ball, but they did not make the big mistake. However, the Buffaloes had a huge scare on special teams.

With about seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Buffaloes were forced to punt. Washington senior Aaron Fuller returned a punt 52 yards to the Colorado 37-yard line. It looked like he was about to run it all the way back, but the last line of defense prevailed for the Buffaloes. The defense would force Washington into a third-and-five. Jacob Eason would scramble back and lose his footing, resulting in a 13-yard team sack for the Buffaloes. However, the Huskies would be able to pin the Buffaloes at their own 1-yard line.

The Buffaloes looked to run out the clock, just as they did in College Football Week 11 against Stanford. Being backed up against the wall, Montez looked to have been sacked in the end zone. However, Washington was lined up offsides, so there was not that much suspense at the moment. On the next play, Montez muscled his way for a first down, but went out of the game. The Buffaloes almost gave the ball away on the next play as Alex Fontenot fumbled a read-option play. Backup quarterback Blake Stenstrom fell on top, and Montez would return to the game.

Because of the fumble, the Buffaloes were forced into a 3^rd-and-16. Montez would find a freshman to help him make what would be the defining plays of his last drive at Folsom Field. Dimitri Stanley would make receptions of 27 and 18 yards on the next two plays to put the Buffaloes in position to close out the games. The offensive line and Alex Fontenot took it from there, running methodically and making Washington use all of their remaining timeouts. The Buffaloes were 0-7 in seven Pac-12 meetings against the Huskies. However, streaks are meant to be broken, and 1-7 sounds a lot better than 0-7. The Buffaloes got their third conference win of the season over Washington, 20-14.

A Senior Night to Remember, But Bowl Hopes On the Line Versus Utah

We won’t stop dancing 🕺🕺 pic.twitter.com/CwbK0wtG32

— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) November 24, 2019

Mel Tucker now has another win against a stalwart of the Pac-12 in Washington. However, the job is not done. The Colorado Buffaloes have a chance at getting a miracle birth into a bowl game if they can shock the world in Salt Lake City next Saturday. Utah is the sixth-best team in the country in the College Football Top 10 Power Rankings Week 14 As it Should Be. The Buffaloes has not proved that they can play in a close road game since September, but this team has broken their own trends all season.

Getting to 6-6 would be huge for Mel Tucker. He is already being praised by fans and media for the job he has done recruiting. Making a bowl game would only bolster the future hype around Tucker and the team. The 2019 Colorado Buffaloes have used the hashtag “#savagesea20n” throughout the season, and it would be truly savage if they kept Utah, and thus, the Pac-12, from College Football Playoff consideration and get a bowl birth of their own next week.