Rams offense shut down in Rocky Mountain Showdown blowout

DENVER – Colorado State wasn’t trying to fool anyone as they gave Colorado a heavy dose of running plays to start the 88th Rocky Mountain Showdown but CU dominated the line of scrimmage from start to finish as they rolled to a 44-7 win.

After failing to get a first down until well into the second quarter, it’s apparent the Rams have some work to do on offense. An offensive line featuring four returning starters from a year ago got little push at the line of scrimmage while Nick Stevens got very little going through the air.

The game began with one of five straight three-and-outs for the Rams. Buffs quarterback Sefo Liufau engineered an 11-play touchdown drive to get CU on the board first. Less than four minutes later, CU marched 70 yards on six plays as Liufau found Devin Ross for a touchdown.

CSU’s offense changed very little even after the Buffs made it 14-0 in the blink of an eye. And following another drive where the Rams failed to record a first down, Liufau connected with Shay Fields for a 60-yard pass. Phillip Lindsay made it 21-0 from one yard out.

CU tacked on a field goal early in the second quarter thanks to a sack and forced fumble of Stevens.

It looked like the CSU offense finally found some traction midway through the quarter with several first downs but a Chidobe Awuzie interception set up a 46-yard Liufau completion to Bryce Bobo. Lindsay put the proverbial dagger in the heart of CSU with a one-yard touchdown, making it 31-0 at the half.

Diego Gonzalez added two field goals in the third quarter to make it 37-0. The Rams got a nice boost from Faton Bauta coming in at quarterback as the University of Georgia transfer engineered the lone touchdown drive for CSU.

A late Kyle Evans touchdown run pushed the game to its final score, 44-7.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Faton Bauta kept this blowout from being a shutout. His scrambles and touchdown pass will surely put pressure on Mike Bobo next week when asked about the starting quarterback.

PLAY OF THE GAME

There weren’t many to choose from, but Bauta’s touchdown pass in the third quarter was a consolation.

QUOTE OF THE GAME

“I didn’t have this team ready to play.”

-Head coach Mike Bobo

TURNING POINT

CU’s fumble recovery for a touchdown on their opening series was the start of one of a forgettable performance for the Rams.

BY THE NUMBERS

5 – Consecutive three-and-outs for the Rams offense to start the game.

0 – First Downs in the first quarter for CSU.

10.9 – Average yards gained by CU on first down.

LASTING IMPACT

44-7 stings, regardless of what week it comes in. The Rams have favorable home matchups with UTSA and UNC coming up, but they have a lot of things to tune up.

WHAT’S NEXT

CSU hosts UTSA next Saturday while the Buffs play their home opener against Idaho State.