Colorado Buffaloes waste dominant defensive effort in Texas Tech loss

Colorado's defense had enough to upset a No. 10 Texas Tech team Saturday at Folsom Field; however, the offense and special teams gave up too much for that effort to matter in a 29-7 loss to the Red Raiders. 

With three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic in the house, Texas Tech left Boulder after scoring 29 unanswered points, though the final score doesn't accurately reflect how competitive the game was for most of the night.

Colorado outgained the Red Raiders 375-315, and Chris Marve's defense limited Texas Tech quarterback Will Hammond to 134 passing yards. Colorado still found a way to lose by 22 because the offense, special teams and discipline issues created a familiar outcome.

A fast start disappears

Isaac Wilson began his first home start as Colorado's quarterback by looking poised and accurate. The Buffaloes marched 75 yards in nine plays on their opening possession, mixing in a two-quarterback look with Kaneal Sweetwyne and moving the ball through the air.

Wilson capped the drive with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Joseph Williams, who found space over the middle for Colorado's first and only score.

By halftime, Wilson had completed 13 of 19 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown. Colorado led 7-3. He distributed the ball to seven receivers and helped the Buffaloes build a 220-147 advantage in total offense.

The problem was that Colorado should have been ahead by more.

Elliott Arnold missed field goals from 29 and 52 yards, both wide left. Colorado also failed to capitalize after its defense stopped Texas Tech on fourth down twice in the first half. A failed fake punt added to the frustration, particularly because it came after the offense had already begun to stall.

Colorado had enough early success to win. Instead, they entered the locker room with a four-point lead and a game still very much in doubt.

Trick play changed everything

Colorado's second offensive snap of the third quarter was a designed pass from Williams. It never had a chance.

Williams tried to throw the ball toward the sideline, and Texas Tech defensive back Brice Pollock intercepted the pass at the Colorado 31-yard line. The trick play felt unnecessary in the moment, particularly with Colorado's defense controlling the game and the offense needing only a composed drive to maintain field position.

Texas Tech did not immediately find the end zone, but they converted the short field into a 27-yard Stone Harrington field goal. Colorado's lead was down to 7-6.

The Buffaloes then allowed a 79-yard touchdown drive that included costly penalties, including pass interference and a personal foul by Randon Fontenette. J'Koby Williams ripped off a 35-yard run during the drive, and Hammond finished it with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Terrance Carter.

Texas Tech missed the two-point attempt but had taken a 12-7 lead.

Colorado played well enough on defense to stay in front. They gave Texas Tech too many chances to survive a poor offensive night.

Wilson threw an interception on Colorado's next possession. He threw another late in the third quarter, and Texas Tech returned it 14 yards to set up another short field. The Buffaloes had gone from controlling the game to playing from behind almost entirely because of turnovers and penalties.

The pick-six ended any hopes

Colorado's defense still gave the offense opportunities in the fourth quarter.

Chris Marve's unit forced a Texas Tech punt with just over seven minutes remaining, but Boo Carter could not secure the punt after signaling for a fair catch. The ball rolled toward the sideline and was downed at Colorado's 2-yard line.

On the next play, Wilson attempted a short pass that Texas Tech's John Curry read perfectly. Curry intercepted the throw in the end zone for a touchdown, turning the game into a 22-7 deficit.

It was the kind of play that leaves you shaking your head because the defense had just done its job again. Colorado needed a clean possession and a long drive. Instead, the Red Raiders were handed seven points without trying.

Wilson finished 26-for-44 for 290 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Those passing numbers show that Colorado moved the ball, but the turnovers overwhelmed everything else.

Williams led Colorado with 10 catches for 93 yards and a touchdown on 17 targets. He was the offense's most productive weapon, though his ill-fated pass attempt became the game's pivotal turning point. Quentin Gibson had a 30-yard reception, while DeAndre Moore Jr. caught three passes for 42 yards.

Colorado could not establish a running game, finishing with 75 yards on 32 carries. Wilson led the team with 39 rushing yards on 17 attempts, showing how often Colorado's offensive line and play calling left him to find yards on his own.

Defense deserved better

Colorado's defense played well enough to beat a top opponent, especially with Big 12 sack leader Lamont Lester Jr. out.

Marve kept Texas Tech guessing as the defense produced two sacks and held Hammond from having an explosive passing night. Texas Tech generated only 134 passing yards, an impressive result against an offense that came to Boulder averaging more than 250 yards through the air.

Santana Hopper was Colorado's best player on the field.

The defensive tackle finished with 10 tackles, including five solo stops and four tackles for loss. Hopper consistently pushed into the backfield, forced Texas Tech to adjust its blocking, and created pressure that doesn't always show up in a traditional sack total. He also had several quarterback hurries and helped keep Colorado within striking distance for most of the night.

Gideon Lampron, Gage Goldberg and Naeten Mitchell also made critical early stops, particularly on Texas Tech's fourth-down attempts. Colorado's defensive front played with energy and physicality despite injuries that stretched it thin.

The Red Raiders eventually found success on the ground. J'Koby Williams rushed for 88 yards on 17 carries, while Quinten Joyner added 71 yards and a 30-yard touchdown run with 3:06 left. Yet even with Texas Tech finishing at 181 rushing yards, much of that production came after Colorado's offense had repeatedly put the defense in difficult situations.

Instant Reaction

The 29-7 score is brutal. Colorado did not play like a team that was thoroughly dominated for four quarters.

The offense remains a major concern. Brennan Marion's Go-Go system has been disappointing so far this season. Colorado couldn't turn defensive stops into sustained scoring drives, and the trick-play interception felt like it swung the game's momentum.

Special teams is also still a big problem. Missed field goals, a failed fake punt, an embarrassing nine-player field-goal-block alignment, and a mishandled fair catch all cost Colorado either points or field position. The Buffaloes have made too many special teams mistakes for this to be dismissed yet again.

Colorado now has a defense that is capable of keeping them competitive in Big 12 games. That is a real positive after facing a ranked Texas Tech team.

The problem is that the same issues keep coming up. Until Colorado stops committing costly penalties, gets some offense going and stops treating special teams as an afterthought, performances from Hopper and Marve's defense will keep getting wasted.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado Buffaloes waste dominant defensive effort in Texas Tech loss