September 15th 2024.
The highly anticipated Rocky Mountain Showdown between the CU Buffs and the CSU Rams returned to Fort Collins and Canvas Stadium, and the initial observations were quite positive. Coach Prime had indicated that changes would be made to the offensive line in order to solve some ongoing problems. These changes included moving Phillip Houston to right tackle, shifting old right tackle Tyler Brown to left guard, and introducing freshman Micah Welch to the backfield. And the results? Well, they were quite positive indeed. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders was only sacked once throughout the entire game, and Welch was able to find plenty of room to maneuver off the left side. Of course, it's important to note that this success may have been more due to a weak CSU defense rather than a significant improvement on the Buffs' part. Nonetheless, they showed the competence and skill that was necessary for a strong start to the season.
As the game progressed, it became clear that the Buffs were in total control. It took Sanders and the rest of the team a quarter to get warmed up, but once they did, they dominated every aspect of the game. Wide receiver Travis Hunter continued to impress, adding to CU's growing list of offensive weapons. And the defense, which had struggled in the past, seemed to have figured things out. Ever since their game against Nebraska, they had only allowed nine points over six quarters. The shallow crosses that had caused issues for CU in the past were shut down from the very beginning. And although CSU was able to make a few long runs, the Buffs did a solid job of limiting their run game. All in all, it was a game with a lot of positives for CU, as they now look ahead to their upcoming Big 12 schedule against Baylor.
But for CSU fans, the game was a bit of a disappointment. Last year, quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi had cemented himself as the Rams' quarterback of the future during this very same game. However, this time around, he seemed to be struggling. In the first half alone, he missed a couple of key throws and appeared indecisive when scrambling out of the pocket. And things didn't get much better in the second half when he threw an interception early on. It's true that injuries, such as Tory Horton's, can greatly affect a team's performance. But even with that in mind, it's clear that Fowler-Nicolosi has taken a step back this season. And as he enters his second year as a starter, it's a concerning sign for the Rams.
Despite their dominance on the field, the Buffs were also given plenty of opportunities to shine due to CSU's mistakes. For instance, freshman defensive lineman Andrew Laurich was lucky to avoid being ejected for a late hit on Sanders in the second quarter. Instead, he gave CU a first down, which ultimately led to a touchdown. And graduate defensive lineman James Mitchell's facemask penalty on second-and-21 did the same thing just one drive later. In addition, Fowler-Nicolosi's interception, Keegan Holles' fumble on first-and-goal, and two botched snaps in CU territory all added to the Rams' woes. In order to come out on top in a game like this, they would have needed to play nearly perfect. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.
On a side note, it's clear that the rivalry between these two teams is alive and well. However, it's unfortunate that the next Rocky Mountain Showdown won't take place until 2029, when the Rams visit the Buffs in Boulder. Five years is far too long for fans to wait for such an exciting and important game. With CSU set to move to the Pac-12 in 2026, there may be more opportunities for the teams to play each other. And if that's the case, then they should take advantage of it. This rivalry deserves to be renewed as often as possible. And for those who can't get enough of Denver's sports teams, be sure to sign up for the Sports Omelette, where you can get all the analysis and news about your favorite teams.
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