September 15th 2024.
The CU Buffs and CSU Rams faced off in the highly anticipated Rocky Mountain Showdown, which returned to Fort Collins and Canvas Stadium. The initial observations from the game were quite positive, as the Buffs came out on top with a 28-9 win.
Coach Prime had indicated that the Buffs would be making some changes up front in order to solve their issues on the offensive line. The changes included placing Phillip Houston at right tackle, moving Tyler Brown to left guard, and having freshman Micah Welch in the backfield. These changes seemed to pay off, as quarterback Shedeur Sanders was only sacked once and Welch was able to find success running off the left side. However, it's important to note that this could have been due to the CSU defense's struggles rather than the Buffs' improvement. Nonetheless, the Buffs showed the competence they needed to on Saturday, which is a promising start.
Once the Buffs got warmed up, they took complete control of the game. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders and the Buffs' offense were able to dominate every aspect of the game. Travis Hunter and LaJohntay Wester were standout players for the Buffs, adding to their growing list of offensive weapons. The defense also showed significant improvement, only allowing 9 points over the past six quarters. They shut down the shallow crosses that had been a weakness for them in the past, and despite a couple of long runs from CSU, they were able to contain their run game. Overall, the Buffs have a lot to be pleased about as they head into their Big 12 schedule next week against Baylor.
On the other hand, CSU fans are left wondering what happened to their quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi. In last year's game, he solidified himself as the Rams' quarterback of the future, but this year, he seemed to struggle. He was ineffective in the first half, missing a couple of key throws and looking hesitant in the pocket. He also threw a head-scratching interception at the start of the second half. Although Tory Horton's absence from the field could have affected the Rams' offense, Fowler-Nicolosi's performance was lackluster. It appears that he may have taken a step back in his second season as a starter.
While the Buffs were dominant for most of the game, the Rams gave them plenty of opportunities to capitalize on their mistakes. Freshman defensive lineman Andrew Laurich had a late hit on Shedeur Sanders in the second quarter, which could have resulted in his ejection from the game. Instead, it was a costly personal foul that led to a first down for the Buffs and ultimately a touchdown. Graduate defensive lineman James Mitchell also gave the Buffs a first down with a facemask penalty, and there were multiple botched snaps and a fumble in CU territory. The Rams needed to play nearly perfect to have a chance at winning, but their mistakes proved to be costly.
On a different note, the rivalry between the Buffs and Rams needs to be renewed more frequently. The next one isn't scheduled until 2029, which is far too long of a wait. With CSU joining the Pac-12 in 2026, there may be an opportunity to schedule another game sooner. The Buffs and Rams should work together to make this happen, as this rivalry should be a staple in Colorado sports. It's time to bring back the Green-and-Gold vs. Black-and-Gold showdown on a more regular basis.
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