Buffs Game Grades: Worthington shines, some others do not

The Colorado Buffaloes pulled out a victory against the Oregon State Beavers 36-33. There were plenty of ups and downs throughout the football game so how did each player perform?  Let’s find out…

Offense

Steven Montez (QB) – B-

This has been a difficult year to evaluate Montez. There’s plenty of other issues around him that aren’t exactly his fault. He missed some throws today but he also made some key ones. The touchdown drive to end the game seemed to make up for just about everything that happened before it.

Phillip Lindsay (RB) – A+

Phil continues to be Phil. He controls everything that this offense does and at this point might have more influence on the offense than the quarterback. He finished 185 yards on 28 carries and two touchdowns.

Shay Fields (WR) – C-

Fields didn’t do a whole lot but they were able to get the ball in his hands on a couple of comeback routes. He had a key drop in the first quarter that shifted the momentum right at the beginning of the football game.

Bryce Bobo (WR) – A-

Bryce Bobo’s best game of the season by far. He looked a little hungrier for the football than in previous games the season. He finished with 126 yards, two touchdown receptions, and a passing touchdown.

Devin Ross (WR) – D

Montez continues to struggle to get the ball in Ross’ hands. He finished with just one target and no receptions.

Jay MacIntyre (WR) – D+

MacIntyre was ineffective in this game. He was targeted in the end zone on a play that looked like pass interference, that would’ve shifted his game into a positive light.

Jeromy Irwin (LT) – B+

Irwin seems like the one steady hand that the Buffs have on the offensive line. The left side of the line is distinctly more effective in the run game and a lot of that has to do with Irwin being at left tackle.

Gerrad Kough (LG) – B-

The left side of the line did a nice job in this game. Kough looked a little bit more like the previous seasons when I didn’t even notice he was out there (good thing for linemen).

Jonathan Huckins (C) – C+

He continues to be a consistent center. He made one mistake on the 4th and 1 where he moved the ball too soon and the Buffs were flagged for a penalty.

Tim Lynott Jr. (RG) – C-

Lynott’s struggles continue this season. A few factors that led to this are the revolving door next to him at right tackle and moving him to center due to the Huckins’ injury earlier in the season.

Defense

 Leo Jackson III (DE) – C+

Jackson struggled a bit at times during this game. He came up with the huge tackle for loss at the end of the game that led to the missed field goal but other than that was handled by the Oregon State offensive line.

Chris Mulumba (DE) – B

This was Mulumba’s best game since coming to Colorado. Although he still is the weakest link on a struggling defensive line, he seems to be getting more comfortable with division one football and was able to apply some pressure in this game.

Derek McCartney (OLB) – A-

McCartney’s best game of the season by a long shot. He finished with ten tackles, a pass breakup, and a QB hurry. He seemed to apply more pressure than the previous games, maybe he’s starting to feel healthier.

Drew Lewis (ILB) – C

Lewis hasn’t been the same player these last two weeks. He missed a few of his assignments in the run game and at times looks lost out there. He finished with ten tackles but a lot of those tackles were from chasing down one of the running backs and not stuffing him on the line of scrimmage.

Rick Gamboa (ILB) – C-

Gamboa struggled in this game as well. When your two inside linebackers struggle to stuff the holes, the other team is bound to run all over you. That’s exactly what happened here and OSU finished with 280 yards on the ground.

Ryan Moeller (Buff) – C-

Moeller has struggled to make a major impact against Pac-12 teams. He’s become too easy to block and I think it would help if they moved him around a bit more to add a little deception. It’s becoming too predictable that he’s there to seal the edge.

Afolabi Laguda (FS) – C+

Laguda had a pretty solid game, racking up seven tackles. I would like to see Laguda play on the line of scrimmage more than he has and use Nick Fisher as a free safety as I believe that would play more to his strengths and he’d be a bit more noticeable out there.

Evan Worthington (SS) – A+

What a game by Evan Worthington. He was all over the field, racking up 12 (!!!!) tackles in the game. He also came up with the interception right when the Buffs needed some momentum. He’s been one of the real bright spots for the defense this season.

Isaiah Oliver (CB) – C+

Oliver really struggled in this game. He was picked on by the Oregon State quarterback, Darell Garretson and didn’t do anything to make Garretson throw it the other way.

Dante Wigley (CB) – B

Wigley actually outplayed Oliver in this game. They didn’t throw his way as much and came up with some big open field tackles. Wigley has played very well during his stint while Udoffia has been out.