Colorado-Eastern Washington Notes
September 06, 2008 | Football
Quickly Colorado is 2-0 for the first time since 2005 and for the fourth time this decade (2003-04-05-08) ... The Buffs are now 1-1 all-time against FCS/I-AA teams ... This marked the first home opener win for CU coach Dan Hawkins after dropping games to Montana State in 2006 (19-10) and Florida State (16-6) his first two seasons ... Colorado last scored 30 or more points its first two games of the season in 2005 (31-28 win over Colorado State, 39-0 over New Mexico); that was the first time since 1996 ... Ralphie V made her regular season debut today, as the nearly 2-year old buffalo is a “tad” faster than Ralphie IV; she has to run at the 5:00 mark on the halftime clock regardless if the team is behind her or not which is what happened today (no team) ... TB Rodney Stewart became just the fourth true freshman to start a game at running back this decade, joining Brian Lockridge (2007), Brian Calhoun (2002) and Marcus Houston (2000) ... EWU quarterback Matt Nichols opened 8-for-8 for 88 yards and a TD (233.7 rating), but after CU figured him out a bit, he finished 24-of-43 for 215 yards and two interceptions (88.5).
FIRST ACTION: Only three players saw their first career action today (as compared to 19 last week), as OG Matt Bahr was in on the FG/PAT unit in the first half, CB Jonathan Hawkins appeared on defense in the third quarter and ILB Bryan Stengel made his debut in the fourth quarter.
237 & COUNTING
DEEHAN MAKES HISTORY TE Ryan Deehan's 1-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter made some history: he became the first true CU freshman tight end to record a TD receiving in 25 years. You have to go back to Oct. 8, 1983, when Jon Embree caught a 4-yard pass for a score against
MEMORIES OF CLIFF BRANCH, BEN KELLY Sophomore WR Josh Smith is bringing back memories of CU's two most prolific return men, Cliff Branch (1970-71) and Ben Kelly (1997-99). Smith in two games has 10 returns for 314 yards and a TD, 4-200 KOR (50.0) and 6-114 PR (19.0). Both Branch and Kelly, who observers felt could go the distance every time they touched the ball, combined for 13 kick return touchdowns (Branch 8, Kelly 5). Smith has four returns of 40 yards or longer in two games (3 KOR, 1 PR), and he also recorded his first career receiving TD in the game.
CB CHA'PELLE BROWN His third career interception was the game winner, returning the pick 27 yards for a touchdown with 1:44 remaining. It was CU's second return touchdown in as many games in 2008 (Josh Smith, 93 KOR/TD versus CSU), and the Buffs' 43rd over the last 10 seasons, the seventh most return TDs in the country.
1.5 FB Jake Behrens has caught two passes in his career?for 3 yards?but both for touchdowns. His first career catch was for a TD at
COMEBACK: CU's rally from 14 down tied the seventh largest comeback in school history (the 20th time CU rallied from 14 down or more to win a game, the 13th time having to so do in the second half). This was CU's largest rally since overcoming a 24-7 third quarter deficit last year to beat
THIRD DOWN CRAZINESS: Colorado was a solid 8-of-17 on third down conversions (47.1%), 4-of-9 on 3rd-&-10 or longer and 4-of-8 on 3rd-&-9 or less ... Eastern Washington gained 72 of its 112 first quarter yards on third down (154 in the game, 131 on its 11 conversions for an 11.9 average; that does not include a 24-yard pickup before a fumble lost).
INJURY REPORT: Head trainer Miguel Rueda reported that ILB Shaun Mohler has a suspected fractured clavicle and is undergoing further tests tonight. If the results are known, we will release accordingly.
