Ron Chenoy- US PRESSWIRE
For whatever reason Colorado always seems to play well at home on Thursday nights in front of a national audience. They’ve won two straight prime time battles on Thursdays against Stanford (1990) and against No. 21 West Virginia (2008). They hope that trend continues against Arizona State tonight but the odds are stacked against them.
At halftime of tonight’s game Colorado is honoring John Wooten for his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. Wooten played with the Buffs from 1956-1958 and was one of the first African-American players to earn All-American honors as an offensive guard. His ceremony will be at halftime but they are also honoring him throughout the game with his #69 painted on each 25 yard line.
In the meantime here is what went down in the first half in Boulder:
- As Ralphie came onto the field, which is about ten minutes before kickoff, the stadium was about 1/2 full with the student section being the main culprit. There were about 200-300 students in the student section for the start of a nationally televised game. Colorado students are notoriously known for showing up late to games but it’s pretty bad to not show up early for a prime time ESPN broadcast.
-In the first quarter Colorado’s defense held their own despite giving up 150 yards. That was mostly the product of Arizona State starting with poor field position deep in their own territory. They did give up some big plays on the Sun Devils’ long scoring drive but for the most part they limited the damage.
-The offense missed some chances in the screen game as Jordan Webb threw two poor balls out to his receivers. For the most part it seemed that the Buffs were moving the ball consistently but then would give up a big negative play that would kill the drive. They have to learn to be more consistent and not allow those drive killing plays.
-It was a different story in the second quarter as Colorado got a big fourth down stop and then drove down the field to take the lead 7-6. Webb led a great drive and made some pretty nice throws down the field and the receivers did a fine job of getting open. If given time Webb is more than able to find his receivers and make the proper throw and he showed it on that drive. The offense made nice adjustments in between quarters and it paid off with the go-ahead drive.
-Arizona State had a big drive to answer Colorado’s score. The crowd was into the game, the defense was pumped up but Taylor Kelly calmly led them down the field and connected on a 34 yard TD to D.J. Foster. Once again the Sun Devils utilized big plays to move the ball and they were most successful in the screen game. Any time Colorado got some pressure on Kelly he would just step up and run for the first down. At times their offense looks unstoppable but it just seems that their biggest enemy is themselves.
-ASU DT Will Sutton is as good as advertised. He was constantly making plays in the backfield and he finished the half with four tackles one sack and two TFL. ASU moved him all around on the defensive line and none of the Colorado lineman could block him without help. Even David Bahktiari, arguably Colorado’s best OL, was getting beat off the edge without putting up much of a fight. There’s at least ten NFL scouts in the press box for this game and they have to be impressed with Sutton’s performance.
-It was huge for Colorado to score before halftime. The game was starting to get away from them but two big plays from Webb to TE Nick Kasa bailed them out and edged them closer. Great job by Webb to avoid a sack on fourth down to hit Kasa and the big man rumbled for 23 yards. Add on a field goal off a fumbled kick return and next thing you know Colorado is within three at 20-17.
