Turnovers, penalties doom CU — again

Yet another case of “coulda, woulda, shoulda” for the CU Buffaloes today, as they fell 28-20 to rival Nebraska in the final game of the 2009 season.

The Colorado defense played well enough to hold Nebraska to just one offensive touchdown in the first half, despite the Huskers starting, on average, at their 38-yard line for each drive. However, it was 21-7 heading into the break because of, you guessed it, mistakes.

While Nebraska’s offense was unable to take advantage of starts at midfield, their special teams unit stopped or downed kick and punt returns at the Colorado 1-, 7- and 9-yard lines. Pinned deep for most of the first quarter, Colorado was forced to punt the ball right back on its first four possessions. On its third punt of the day, coverage broke down and Nebraska’s Niles Paul returned the ball 59 yards for a touchdown.

On the ensuing kickoff, Brian Lockridge muffed the kick, nearly losing possession and putting CU at its own 9-yard line. Again the Buffs went three-and-out and gave Nebraska the ball at its 44. The Huskers scored on a 24-yard pass from quarterback Zac Lee to receiver Ben Cotton, putting the score at 14-0 with most of the second quarter remaining. It was the only score Lee participated in, being held to 73 yards passing and sacked three times.

CU’s offense showed some life two possessions later when Tyler Hansen didn’t miss a pass en route to a 67-yard scoring drive. Hansen found fullback Jake Behrens for a 2-yard touchdown to pull the Buffs back within a score. Receiving a kickoff for the first time in the game, Nebraska had to start at its own 20-yard line. But even with a three-and-out possession, Nebraska’s Alex Henery booted the ball 63 yards back to the Colorado 12.

The Huskers would take advantage, picking off Hansen on third down and easily running it back into the end zone. Free safety Matt O’Hanion appeared shocked the pass came right into coverage but managed to hold onto the interception and leap over Hansen for the score.

Again the Buffaloes rose to their competition in the second half, stopping Nebraska’s opening drive. This time Hansen connected with Scotty McKnight for a touchdown pass from 6 yards out. The score at 21-14 would be the closest CU would get to Nebraska for the remainder of the contest.

Colorado had more chances but gave them away with ill-timed penalties. On third and 2, Hansen tried to extend a passing play for too long. Although slipping by the grip of Nebraska’s defensive beast, Ndamukong Suh, Hansen tried another course reversal and had to throw the ball into the turf, generating a flag for intentional grounding. That turned the situation into fourth and 19, which then became a 52-yard missed field goal by Aric Goodman.

On the next drive for CU, the first of the final quarter, again the offense drove inside the Nebraska red zone. Goodman was given another chance, this attempt from 37 yards, but missed in the opposite direction. Both of Goodman’s attempts were made possible by big plays, frustrating the 52,000-plus crowd in the stadium. A 58-yard bomb to Markques Simas came first and was the longest play for Colorado’s entire season. Rodney Stewart also broke a run for 28 yards prior to the second miss.

That set up Nebraska for its finishing drive, even though there was still 13:35 remaining in the game. Running back Rex Burkhead went up the middle time after time, draining the clock and picking up five first downs along the way. Burkhead finished with his 7-yard touchdown rush, putting the Huskers up 28-14 with only 6:37 left. Burkhead had exactly 100 yards rushing in the game on 18 carries.

A third time, CU drove the ball deep into Nebraska territory, reaching the 15-yard line. But two consecutive penalties, a delay of game followed by a false start, pushed the Buffs back to another fourth and 20. Too late to attempt another kick, Hansen threw his third interception of the day trying to find someone open. Were it not for his interceptions, Hansen would’ve had a great day statistically. He was 21-for-44 for 269 yards passing, along with three touchdowns.

Nebraska burned as much of the clock as it could and gave CU one last offensive try with 1:30 to go. The Huskers locked down pass coverage and kept Colorado behind midfield. As time expired, Hansen heaved a prayer from the CU 44-yard line, and Scotty McKnight managed to make the catch and score. That would make the final 28-20, as referees waived off a point-after try since there was no way to score eight points on the one untimed play.

With no more games to look forward to, Coach Dan Hawkins left us with a simple, obvious formula for next year:

“They are not quitters, and they never quit. We just have to build a body of confidence in the offseason so that we an have an intensity coming out to start the season.”

Well, coach, you’ve been granted a reprieve to do just that in 2010. The clock officially starts now.

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