The Colorado Buffaloes (1-0) handily defeated Colorado State (0-2) in Friday night’s Rocky Mountain Showdown. In the 45-13 victory, Colorado’s offense was able to move the ball up and down the field, and CSU’s defense legitimately struggled to even slow them down.

CU scored touchdowns on its first three drives of the game. What’s more, the Buffaloes offense was able to do so with drive times of 1:24, 1:37 and 3:25. In total, CU recorded 596 yards of offense and scored in just about every way possible.

Here are three things we learned about CU football in the victory over CSU:

Darrin Chiaverini is a bad dude

Let me clarify that this is 100 percent intended as a compliment. In his new role calling plays, Chiaverini called a nearly perfect game. CU’s offense was in rhythm from the opening kickoff and if the team had not pulled the majority of the starting offense in the third quarter, CU would have had a good chance to throw 60+ points on the board Friday night.

Colorado passed for 338 yards and rushed for 258 yards in what was a complete dismantling of the Colorado State defense. It was clear that CSU did not have the talent on defense to match up with CU’s offense, but Chiaverini deserves a ton of credit for taking advantage.

Moving forward, it will be really interesting to see what having Chiaverini calling the plays does to lift up quarterback Steven Montez and help progress his development. Montez looked solid in the victory Friday night. The second-year starter completed 22-of-25 pass attempts for 338 yards and four touchdowns and also rushed for 34 yards and one touchdown.

The only real mistake Montez made in the victory was getting picked off by CSU cornerback V.J. Banks on the first play of the second quarter. CU had total control of the game and the interception came on an unnecessary throw. Overall it was a really great showing from the veteran QB, but Nebraska will be a much tougher test.

CU’s wide receivers are even better than last year

Montez definitely impressed in the victory, but it was hard not to focus on CU’s talent at the wide receiver position. Laviska Shenault Jr. exploded for 11 receptions, 211 yards and one touchdown. And K.D. Nixon brought in six receptions for 112 yards and one touchdown as well.

With the speed CU has on the outside, the offense is going to create all kinds of problems for opposing secondaries this season. Nixon torched a CSU defensive back for a 46-yard touchdown Friday and Shenault showed just how dangerous he can be with an 89-yard reception/run for a score in the third quarter.

Obviously it was only Week 1 and there is still much to accomplish for this offense, but when the offensive line gives Montez as much time as they did in the Rocky Mountain Showdown, these wide receivers are going to get open every time. And if you get them the ball in the open field, they have the ability to make defenders miss and the take it to the house.