Notes: Buffs' Price Kicks 54-Yarder On First FG Try; Gilbert Collects 2 Sacks
October 01, 2016 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — When it comes to freshman debuts, it's going to be hard to top that of Colorado kicker Davis Price.
Price was good on his first collegiate field goal attempt Saturday, a 54-yarder in the first half of CU's 47-6 win over Oregon State — the longest field goal by a freshman in CU history, and the longest first field goal in a career by any CU kicker ever.
"That was phenomenal," CU head coach Mike MacIntyre said. "I was thinking, 'This is the first field goal this kid's ever kicked,' and I'm sending him out there for a 54-yard field goal. When he's out there, I'm going 'I shouldn't have let him kick it or I should have gone for it.'
"Then he made it, and I said, 'Smart move by me.'"
Price, a walkon from Evergreen, called the effort "an incredible feeling. It was great to know that all of my hard work paid off. My dad went here and all of my friends go here. Being able to play in front of them in a big school like this is something I've never experienced before. I loved it."
Price was called into action after junior Chris Graham had a second PAT blocked in as many attempts. The two have been battling for the job after regular Diego Gonzalez suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in the Michigan game.
"I knew the snap from JT (Bale) was going to be on point and I knew Robert (Orban) was going to get the hold down, so I just needed to trust my technique," Price said. "It's just getting out there and trusting my technique and knowing that as long as other people do their jobs then I can do my job."
BIG DAY FOR GILBERT: Colorado outside linebacker Jimmie Gilbert had a banner afternoon. The CU senior was credited with seven tackles, a pair of quarterback sacks and two forced fumbles.
Gilbert now has four sacks for the season.
"Today was by far my best game," Gilbert said. "I was able to do things that for the past three years I wasn't able to do. (Coach) Jim Jeffcoat has done a really good job of teaching us different techniques and moves."
Gilbert said the Buffs knew their pass rush would be a big key to Saturday's game.
"It was a point of emphasis all week," Gilbert said. "They have a dynamic quarterback that can kill you in the pocket. We really emphasized getting off the ball, that's the most important thing."
Gilbert almost had a third sack, but OSU's Darrell Garretson managed to just get the pass away before Gilbert took him to the ground. It was still Gilbert's first multi-sack game of his career.
TIDBITS: Saturday's attendance of 46,839 was the largest since Sept. 29, 2012, when 46,893 attended the CU-UCLA game. … Colorado kept OSU out of the end zone, the first time CU has done that to a conference foe for 11 years to the day, a 34-0 win in Stillwater over Oklahoma State. … QB Steven Montez now has 626 yards passing and six TDs in his first two career starts. … The six points allowed was the fewest allowed by the Buffs in a Pac-12 game. … The Buffs are now 52-9 all-time when rushing for at least 200 yards and passing for at least 200 in the same game. The Buffs had 247 yards rushing and 316 passing. … Former Buffs standouts and Olympic bronze medalists Jenny Simpson and Emma Coburn were special guests Saturday and were honored at the game. … The Buffs have now gained more than 500 yards in four of their five games this season. …. This was the 75th turnover-free game in CU history (49-44-2) and the 19th time in CU history the Buffs haven't had a turnover or given up a quarterback sack (17-2).
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
