Updates by John Meylor + Lily Wright
Folsom Field prepares for kickoff. (Credit: Lily Wright, KVCU)
The CU Boulder Buffaloes and the North Dakota State University Bison match up Thursday Night for the College Football Season’s Kickoff game in front of over 49,000 attendees at Folsom. It’s a clash of new school pop-football in CU against a hardened, FCS program in North Dakota State. Coach Deion “Prime” Sanders and Quarterback Shadeur Sanders look to leave an indomitable first impression with an upgraded roster heading into a season where many across the country are doubting the legitimacy of the most popular College Football program in America.
Q1, 9:31: In a drive lasting 3:48, North Dakota drove down before scoring a field goal, courtesy of kicker Griffin Costa. NDSU broke the game wide open early on with a 48 yard connection in the second play of scrimmage from QB Cam Miller to receiver Cam Marshall. CU answered back with an emphatic 75 yard touchdown drive. Sanders completed all of his passes, including a 36 Yard touchdown pass to star wideout Travis Hunter. With 9:31 remaining in the first quarter, the Buffs have shown an ability to stand up to mounting pressure already. CU 7-3.
Q1, 3:15: Scoring on their second consecutive drive, Miller led the Bison on a gritty, chippy, run heavy drive, ending in a touchdown catch by Joe Stoffel. CU’s defensive line failed to penetrate through to get to Miller and allowed the NDSU’s pocket plenty of time to develop drives. Sanders and the CU offense responded immeadietly with a 2-play drive capped by a 69 yard bomb of a pass guided to WR Jimmy Horn Jr. CU 14-10.
End of 1st Quarter: North Dakota moves down to the 36 lard line, led by a handful of rushes from QB Miller. The game thus far has been a total showcase for both teams extrodinary starters, with Sanders’ rocket arm and Miller’s legs allowing them to carve up each of their opposing defenses.
Q2, 4:33: Bouncing back and forth between Miller and backup QB Cole Payton to utilize their legs and arm, respectively, NDSU paraded down to the goal line before Miller ran in a touchdown, continuing to set the tone for what he brings to this game offensively. The CU defense still lacks an answer for Miller’s movement out of the pocket. This was followed up by a short offensive possession from CU ending in a turnover on downs. CU tried to pound the ball through, running the ball on 4 downs but failing to gain even one first down, resulting in the turnover. Given the short field, CU’s defense rallied to limit Miller but was beset by costly penalties extending their drive past a presumptive 3rd down stop. A pair of penalties on the North Dakota side kept them out of the end zone, ending the possession with a field goal. NDSU 20-14.
End of 2nd Quarter: CU and NDSU traded 3 and outs, with both team’s offensive lines showing very little resistance. With 54 seconds remaining in the quarter, CU took posession from their own two yard line. Despite the pocket collapsing on him in seemingly every play, QB Sanders kept composure and extended plays to lead the team down the field for a 36 yard field goal to close out the half. NDSU 20-17.
Q3, 7:45: The Buffaloes started the 2nd half with posession of the ball, but in spite of a strong drive down the field, were thwarted by a costly endzone interception from QB Sanders that landed in the hands of NDSU’s Nick Kubitz. The Bison were unable to capatalize on the turnover, with a quick 3-and-out putting the ball back in the hands of Sanders’ offense. A five play, 72 yard touchdown drive pushed CU back in the lead, with Sanders connecting to star WR Travis Hunter for a toe-tap touchdown pass in the back of the endzone, Sanders’ 100th of his college career. CU 24-20.
Q4, 7:57: NDSU’s offense continued to stutter through the third quarter, as a topsy turvy second posession was stopped short by a costly 3rd down penalty and a sack afterwards by CU Linebacker Trevor Woods resulting in a short punt. CU’s ensuing offensive posession lasted into the 4th quarter, with further heroics coming from the Sanders-Hunter connection, including a 3 yard touchdown pass. CU 31-20.
End of 4th Quarter: With CU establishing a strong 2 possession lead, NDSU left it all on the table in an attempt to wrestle back the game. On the possession ensuing CU’s score, NDSU continued to run the ball down the field, with QBs Miller and Payton combining for 30 rushing yards on that possession, including a score from Miller to put the Bison within one score. Following a quick offensive drive ending in a punt from CU, the Miller-lead offense stepped onto the field with 31 seconds left. The CU secondary, led by Shilo Sanders, held down the fort and stopped a miracle drive, allowing Boulder’s squad to leave the night with their first victory of the season. FINAL SCORE: CU 31-26
Posted on Aug. 29 – 12:02 (4th QTR)