The Buffs playoff hopes may be squashed
The Colorado Buffaloes faced a tough challenge against the Kansas Jayhawks this Saturday, and unfortunately, their defensive struggles proved too much to overcome. Kansas relied heavily on a dominant rushing attack, spearheaded by running back Devin Neal, to control the game and keep Colorado’s offense off the field. While Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter had impressive individual performances, the Buffs couldn’t keep pace in the second half, falling 37-21.
In this recap, we’ll break down each quarter, highlight the key takeaways, and look ahead to Colorado’s final home game of the season against Oklahoma State.
Quarter 1
In the first quarter, Kansas set the tone by establishing a powerful run game, which Colorado didn’t have many answers for. The Jayhawks moved efficiently up and down the field with Devin Neal leading the charge. Kansas managed to score 10 points while chewing up significant time on the clock, effectively limiting Colorado’s offensive opportunities.
The Buffs struggled to find a rhythm early on, but not all their woes were self-inflicted. On their first and only full drive of the quarter, the offense was derailed by a missed pass interference call on a deep pass intended for Travis Hunter. Colorado managed a few more plays before the quarter ended, but the offense couldn’t gain momentum.
The first quarter concluded with Kansas leading 10-0.
Quarter 2
The Buffs found their footing in the second quarter, putting together two touchdown drives that showcased their explosive potential. The first score came from a 51-yard touchdown reception by Travis Hunter, who went untouched into the end zone on a quick wide receiver screen. The second touchdown featured Drelon Miller, who hauled in a seam route pass, impressively outjumping the cornerback. Miller’s score marked his second consecutive week with a touchdown on the same route and highlighted his growing role in the absence of Jimmy Horn Jr.
Despite Colorado’s offensive success, Kansas remained committed to its ground game and found even more success running the ball. Devin Neal continued to dominate, and quarterback Jalon Daniels contributed with several big scrambles. By halftime, Kansas had racked up nearly 200 rushing yards and added a touchdown and two field goals to their total.
The score at halftime was Kansas 23, Colorado 14.
Quarter 3
Colorado started strong in the third quarter, with the offensive line providing solid protection for Shedeur Sanders. Kansas played disciplined coverage downfield, forcing Shedeur to take shorter gains, but he eventually found Travis Hunter for a 26-yard touchdown that brought the Buffs within two points.
Unfortunately for Colorado, the story of the third quarter was Kansas’ continued dominance on the ground. Devin Neal broke tackle after tackle, imposing his will at every level of the defense. The Jayhawks surpassed 200 rushing yards by the end of the quarter, leaving the Buffs unable to keep up.
The third quarter ended with Kansas leading 30-21.
Quarter 4
The fourth quarter was more of the same for Colorado. Devin Neal capped off his career day with several statement runs, gashing the Buffs’ defense repeatedly for chunk yardage. Kansas put together four 10+ play drives, grinding down the clock and sealing the game. Colorado’s run defense struggled to catch its breath, and the offense couldn’t produce anything exceptional to mount a comeback.
The game ended with Kansas defeating Colorado 37-21.
Key Takeaways
- Run Defense Woes: Colorado’s inability to stop the run has been a recurring issue, and it cost them again in this game. In both of their conference losses this season, the Buffs have allowed 185 or more rushing yards, exposing a critical weakness that separates them from the elite teams in the country. Today, the Jayhawks ran for 331 against the Buffs.
- Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter Shine: Despite the loss, Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter continued to showcase their incredible talent and chemistry. Both players had standout performances and solidified themselves as potential top-five picks in the upcoming NFL Draft.
- Preston Hodge: His injury allowed Kansas State to extend drives through the short passing game, and allowed Jalon Daniels to be more efficient than he would have been otherwise.
Outlook
The loss to Kansas significantly dims Colorado’s chances of making the conference championship game, but anything is still possible. More likely, the Buffs will end up in a mid-December bowl game and fall short of the playoffs. Colorado now turns its attention to their final home game of the year against Oklahoma State, where they’ll likely be favored by 7-10 points. A win would move the Buffs to 9-3 on the season, a strong finish in their first year in the Big 12.
Make sure to tune in and Sko Buffs!