33-16 victory gives Buffs second win of the season
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Dan Hawkins must have morphed his pre-game speech from “Let’s go win one for the gipper” to “Win one for the seniors,” because the Buffs knocked off Big 12 North rival Iowa State 33-16 on Senior Day at Folsom Field in front of 43,056 fans Saturday.
It was only CU’s second win of the season, improving their record to 2-9 overall and 2-5 in the Big 12. It was the Buffalo seniors’ last home game of their careers, and a confidence-building win in front an energetic home crowd proved to be uplifting for many of those whose eligibility has run out.
“It just showed a lot of character in my teammates,” said senior linebacker Thaddaeus Washington. “We just asked them to come out for the seniors and have a great game, and that is what they did. It showed they care about the seniors, and we appreciate that. We have been down for a while, but it’s an up time now.”
Senior kicker Mason Crosby had a huge day, connecting on 4-of-5 field goals, making from 47, 38, 41 and 42 yards, and missing from 65 yards. Crosby also became the first player in CU history to eclipse the 300-point mark over his career, finishing the day with 15 points and 305 for his career.
“It was my last senior game at home, and it was a really good thing to go out on a win,” Crosby said. “I felt good. I hit four really good field goals, and that 65-yarder, it felt good, but from that distance you have to hit perfect. It was close.”
Crosby seemed to have achieved “rock star status” after the game, remaining on the field for numerous photos and autographs with fans who had rushed the field. Crosby said that type of environment is why he came back for his senior season with the Buffaloes before departing for the NFL.
“It was awesome. That’s the kind of thing I came back for,” Crosby said. “They were all calling for me to come into the middle there, and I didn’t think I wanted to do that. Then they just kind of came to me, and that’s the kind of thing college football is amazing for, and it’s just fun being a part of it.”
The Buffs started the game fast, scoring a mere 1:24 into the game, as junior quarterback Bernard Jackson connected with junior wide receiver Alvin Barnett twice on the drive, one for 38 yards, another for 26 yards and a touchdown.
“We were able to do pretty much everything we wanted to do today,” Jackson said. “I got kind of selfish, wanting them to call plays for me, just to make it more fun. That is exactly how our offense is supposed to be happening.”
Iowa State would match CU on their opening possession, scoring on a 19-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bret Meyer to receiver Jon Davis. That would be as close as the Cyclones would get, however, as Colorado’s offense came to life and seemed to be able to call whatever play they wanted, only punting once the entire game.
“Today, I thought (offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich) was able to get into a rhythm,” Hawkins said. “It was good for him as a play caller, and it was good for our offense as well because they didn’t get hung up on the fact every play has to be exactly right.”
Senior running back Mell Holliday had a great final game in Boulder as well, rushing 18 times for 127 yards. It was the first 100-yard game of Holliday’s career, and he said it was fitting that it came in his final game at Folsom Field.
“I think that all of us felt that, because it was our last game at home for all the seniors, we had a big push to go out and get the win,” Holliday said. “We wanted to send the seniors out on a good note, myself included. I just went all out, all day.”
Hawkins said he was impressed by Holliday’s ability to run the ball in the game.
“He is a tough runner,” Hawkins said. “He is really tough to bring down, and he has great vision out there, and I think we saw that today.”
The Buffs offense finished with 263 yards on the ground and 200 yards through the air, the first time the team has compiled over 200 yards in each area since the New Mexico State game on Sept. 10 of last season. After struggling much of the season, Jackson seemed to make playing look easy, even calling audibles and changing plays, finishing the game 13-of-19 for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions.
“I didn’t make it look easy, the offensive line made it look easy,” Jackson said. “I give all the credit to those guys, giving us the time to make plays. I think (calling the audibles) is just because of better preparation through the week, and just being more relaxed with the offense.”
Washington said he appreciated the way the Buffs played for each other on Senior Day.
“We are a family, and I guess we really realized that today,” he said. “We just sort of came out playing for each other, and had some success doing that.”
