Oregon State's Andersen Has High Praise For Buffs, MacIntyre
October 01, 2016 | Football
BOULDER — In the eyes of the opponent, the rise of Colorado football is real. After Saturday's 47-6 CU win at Folsom Field, Oregon State coach Gary Andersen asked media members, "Why not put them in the top 25?"
A stout Colorado defense limited the Beavers offense to just 226 yards total offense. In his first performance this season without a touchdown, Oregon State speedster Victor Bolden was limited to just 81 all-purpose yards. Colorado didn't give up a play of greater than 21 yards.
Senior Jimmie Gilbert recorded a pair of sacks and forced two fumbles, as the Buffs never let Oregon State offense find a rhythm. Oregon State's passing attack was limited to a season low 100 yards on 13-32 attempts. Colorado also intercepted a quarterback duo that entered the day having thrown just a single interception in three games. Andersen praised of Colorado's secondary, "In my opinion these are the best corners we've played all year. They have three corners that are special young men."
Colorado failed to score on the opening possession for the first time this season, but the offensive woes would prove to be short-lived. Quarterback Steven Montez found a wide-open Shay Fields for a 51-yard touchdown. Montez and Fields were still just getting started, as they connected on a 33-yard touchdown on the next drive, and opened the second quarter with another 61-yard scoring pass. Andersen praised Colorado's offensive line protection on the deep balls, saying, "If that play can be there for that amount of time, you don't have enough people in the defensive backfield."
Eight different ball carriers amassed 247 rushing yards for the Buffs, in what Andersen felt was the true difference. "To me," Andersen said, "defensively, the football game was (determined by) their ability to run the ball consistently."
Andersen didn't hold back his admiration for what head coach Mike MacIntyre has done for Colorado, and hopes his team can follow a similar blueprint.
"That dude should be the coach here for a long, long time," Andersen said. "Better strap him up to a big ol' contract, because he's a damn good football coach."
