Buffs Shut Out At Washington State, 28-0

PULLMAN, Wash. — After two weeks of promising results, the Colorado Buffaloes' offense hit a wall Saturday night.

The Buffs were held scoreless for the first time since 2012 and Washington State did just enough offensively to carve out a 28-0 win over the Buffs in a wet, cold and windy Martin Stadium. The Buffs even changed quarterbacks at the half, bringing in redshirt freshman Sam Noyer for an ineffective Steven Montez, but the change produced no significant impact.

The last time CU was shut out was a 48-0 loss at home to Stanford in 2012. Colorado's 174 yards total offense was the lowest output since last year's Pac-12 championship game, when Colorado had just 163 yards offense.

Colorado dropped to 4-4 and 1-4 in Pac-12 play while WSU improved to 7-1, 4-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED: The Buffs had their chances to seize momentum early in the game, forcing and recovering a WSU fumble near midfield on the Cougars' second possession, then taking over near midfield again after a short WSU punt and penalty.

But the Buffs offense could never find a rhythm. CU did not produce a first down until late in the first quarter, and quarterback Steven Montez did not complete a pass until late in the second period.

Then, after experiencing their own problems in a scoreless first quarter, the Cougars finally hit stride in the second period.

Following a Montez incompletion on fourth down in WSU territory early in the second period — a play that also resulted in the ejection of Buffs left tackle Jeromy Irwin for targeting — the Cougars went 72 yards in three plays for the first score of the game. Luke Falk hit Tay Martin for a 50-yard touchdown pass and WSU took a 7-0 lead with 11:25 to go in the half.

Seven minutes later, following CU's fourth punt of the half, the Cougars struck again. Falk guided a 10-play, 81-yard march, finishing with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Arconado.

CU's offense struggled the entire half. Montez did not complete a pass until less than five minutes remained in the second quarter, and he finished the half just 4-for-13 for 21 yards. CU's Phillip Lindsay ran for 58 yards, but needed 18 carries to hit that total.

In the second half, the Buffs turned to redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Noyer, but Noyer's first drive was stifled in WSU territory after a high snap left the Buffs in a second-and-28 hole. CU punted, and nine plays later, the Cougars were in the end zone again, getting a 9-yard run from Jamal Morrow for a 21-0 lead with 9:26 to go in the third period.

Both teams then traded punts for much of the remainder of the game. The Buffs reached into WSU territory on a couple of occasions, but both times were stopped on fourth down at the Cougars' 17. Colorado entered the game having successfully converted seven straight fourth-down tries, but the Buffs were just 2-for-6 in that department Saturday night and just 1-for-16 on third down.

Washington State tacked on one more score, going 52 yards in 10 plays, capping the drive with a 5-yard Falk pass to Renard Bell to push the final margin to 28-0.

Along with Irwin's ejection, the Buffs also lost starting center Jonathan Huckins to a concussion midway through the game.

TURNING POINT: With the score tied 0-0, the Buffs attempted to convert a fourth down that resulted in an incompletion and Irwin's targeting ejection. That seemed to take the air out of the Buffs and give the Cougars momentum. Three plays later, WSU took the lead with the first score of the game.

NEXT UP: The Buffs play host to Cal next Saturday in a noon game at Folsom Field on Homecoming weekend.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu

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Team Stats

Sam Noyer

Steven Montez

Marksberry Casey

Players Mentioned

Jonathan Huckins

Jeromy Irwin

Phillip Lindsay

Steven Montez

Sam Noyer

Players Mentioned

Jonathan Huckins

Jeromy Irwin

Phillip Lindsay

Steven Montez

Sam Noyer