In a game where the Colorado offense takes steps forward, the defense falls asleep, and that equals the Buffaloes fifth-consecutive loss to open the season, as Missouri records a 28-13 win at Columbia.
Sophomore quarterback Chase Daniel is a future legend for the Tigers. Mark it down. Brad Smith was a unique talent but it says here Daniel will not only lead his school to greater heights but he will accomplish more, individually. He's off to a rare start, leading his team to a 5-0 beginning, the first such record since 1981.
He's not a finished product yet, but even so, he's good enough to win when he makes mistakes. He throws for 251 yards and four touchdowns against what had been a stingy CU defense. He does this while getting bagged twice on sacks and throwing two interceptions.
This Buffs' loss stings a little more emotionally as they really thought they were getting close to throwing the monkey of losing games off its' back. Didn't happen. Not as close as expected on the scoreboard.
Surprising, it was the defense who couldn't throw Daniel enough off his game, and couldn't cover the tight end, a long-time CU staple of its' own attack. The Tigers' duo of Martin Rucker and Chase Coffman combine for 10 grabs and three scores. Thought for a moment, I was seeing Klopfenstein and Snypniewski in the wrong uniform.
That said, while it is difficult to take positive things out of a loss, this game was different because this season is different. Things happened that haven't been happening. That's good, by the way.
Quarterback Bernard Jackson showed his best production against a touted Missouri defense, throwing for 191 yards and running for 92 and a score. B-Jack is developing, slowly, into an all-around talent. I even let my imagination go crazy, thinking of what he could be in a year, with more experience and more talent, hopefully, around him. Whew!
Jackson is also creating some magic with some young tight end named Riar Geer, who caught three more passes, this week for 41 yards. The dude is quickly becoming one special Big Man On Campus. Sometimes, it's good to be the king. Livin' the high life, I'm sure.
Wide receiver Dusty Sprague reminded us he's still on the team with two catches for 85 yards. I almost forgot he was a football player. I just assumed he was some hero in a Zane Grey western novel.
Hugh Charles is picking up steam in the last few weeks and did it again with 87 yards on the ground. Funny, how Colorado loved him, loved him not, loved him, well, you get the picture. The guy didn't forget how to make plays. Nice to know CU remembered he's one of the most explosive guys on the offense.
All told, despite it's still pitiful scoring output, Mark Helfrich's men are coming around. Like the Colorado Rockies, this team is nurturing and developing talent, taking the hits of those growing pains and pouring the foundation for a better year in 2007.
Still hot post-game thoughts
In what was a difficult loss I feel more optimistic than I have yet this season. Seeing the offense make strides with Jackson, Geer, Charles, & Sprague provides hope for the rest of the season. The offense still could use more play makers but it isn't as though the unit is the same clueless of headless chickens it was to begin the season.
Of course, Dan Hawkins was honest about the learning curve for Jackson and Jay Leeuwenburg drove home the fact about the need for repetitions in the new offense being necessary for improvement. Guess those two guys know what they're talking about. Hmm.
Center Mark Fenton has done some fine things in a CU uniform. Some fine things were done today without him. Encouraging.
The defense has given the Buffs a chance to win games. Today, it didn't. Not a good day for Ron Collins' group. Until the offense can figure out how to score another touchdown a game, until the special teams can create some points, the defense has to accept the responsibility of thinking on-field muggings for scores.
You would think that with all the strong tight ends the Buffs have had over the years they would know how to cover one in a game.
The Buffs are looking good for the number one pick in next year's draft.
Oh, wait.
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