Last week, in Colorado’s 48-42 win over UCLA, four first-half turnovers helped the Buffaloes start quickly. That stellar defensive play and a Pac-12 Player of the Week performance from Jarek Broussard (31 carries, 187 yards, 3 TDs), fueled Karl Dorrell to his first win as the Colorado head coach.
Today, in a game shifted to ESPN due to COVID-19 cancelations in college football, the Buffaloes couldn’t get it going as early. Following two punts and an interception by first year starter Sam Noyer (15/24, 255 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT passing; 8 rushes, 36yds, 2 TDs rushing), the Buffaloes finally found their groove as Noyer hit sophomore Dimitri Stanley for a 55-yard touchdown.
TOUCHDOWN BUFFS 🙌@sam_noyer finds @Dimitri_114 and we're on the board. Here. We. Go.
📺 https://t.co/uVaawlQUJA pic.twitter.com/QnEFyRCmjr
— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) November 14, 2020
The electric offense of Darrin Chiaverini and inspired play of senior quarterback-turned-safety-turned-quarterback-again Noyer allowed the Buffs to get out to a 14-9 halftime lead on the road. The defense played well in the first half again though, allowing the Cardinal no touchdowns through two quarters.
Sam Noyer showed grit and poise, scoring four touchdowns and not turning the ball over again after a first quarter interception. He has emerged as the clear starting quarterback after Tyler Lytle took a few snaps last week against UCLA. One of the strongest facets of the Buffs’ game last season was the running back tandem of Jaren Mangham and Alex Fontenot, so many may not have seen the engine of this Buffaloes offense coming, much like opposing defenses. But for a second game in a row, sophomore Jarek Broussard (5’9″, 185 pounds) had over 120 yards rushing on 25-plus carries.
The balance on the Colorado offense was impeccable, as Broussard (27 carries, 121 yards) shouldered the load in the run game and Noyer spread the ball around to his bevy of athletic pass catchers. Stanley’s long touchdown was a beauty and Noyer’s second score through the air came on a busted coverage to freshman Brenden Rice, the son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice.
TOUCHDOWN BUFFS 🙌@sam_noyer to @BrendenRice, LET'S GOOO!! pic.twitter.com/pm5oAlYJFh
— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) November 14, 2020
Dimitri Stanley led the way for the stable of young Colorado receivers with 6 catches for 126 yards and a touchdown. Noyer’s other primary options in the aerial attack include Rice (2 rec, 38 yds, TD) and another freshman, La’Vontae Shenault (3 rec, 60 yds), younger brother of Jacksonville Jaguars rookie receiver and former Colorado Buffalo fan-favorite Laviska Shenault Jr.
Unfortunately for Colorado, a key piece of the offense, Colorado native Brady Russell, left the game in the first half with an injury. The junior tight end led Colorado in receiving last week against UCLA with 5 catches for 77 yards and a touchdown.
Davis Mills of Stanford threw for 327 yards and a touchdown as the Cardinal tried to work back into the game once the Buffaloes got their offense rolling. The Colorado defense though, led by senior linebacker Nate Landman, held fast as Stanford made a late surge. The Buffs surrendered only 70 rushing yards and a long run of 15 yards, controlling the line of scrimmage and the tempo of the game.
Colorado is now 2-0 after beating David Shaw and Stanford 35-32 on their own field. The Buffaloes are scheduled to play Arizona State at Folsom Field next Saturday at 8:00 PM MT.