Colorado gets by Oregon, 41-38
Steven Montez threw for 333 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start and visiting Colorado held off Oregon, 41-38, on Saturday, the Buffaloes’ first victory over the Ducks since joining the Pac-12 in 2011.
Ahkello Witherspoon intercepted Dakota Prukop’s pass to Darren Carrington in the end zone on Oregon’s final drive to preserve the win for Colorado.
The Buffaloes had retaken the lead following a controversial 31-yard touchdown from Montez to Bryce Bobo. After review, the officials ruled Bobo had control of the ball in his right hand when his right foot came down in the end zone — but the crowd at Autzen Stadium booed in disagreement.
The Buffaloes led from the start and went up, 33-17, following Montez’s 48-yard touchdown pass to Devin Ross to open the second half.
But Kani Benoit scored on a three-yard touchdown to pull Oregon within 33-31. Troy Dye’s interception on Colorado’s subsequent possession led to Prukop’s 18yard go-ahead touchdown pass to Carrington late in the third quarter.
The Buffaloes led, 21-7, against Michigan last weekend but also fell behind to lose, 45-28. Oregon was coming off a 35-32 loss at Nebraska last weekend.
Both teams were without key playmakers.
Oregon running back Royce Freeman, who left the game against the Huskers after five carries with a leg injury, watched from the sideline although he warmed up in pads with the team. Kani Benoit made his first career start in Freeman’s place.
The Buffaloes didn’t have senior quarterback Sefo Liufau, who left the game at the Big House with an ankle injury after throwing for 246 yards and three touchdowns.
Boise State 38, at Oregon State 24: Jeremy McNichols ran for 208 yards and scored four touchdowns and the Broncos are off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2011 after a win over the Beavers.
McNichols did most of his damage in the first half, as the junior running back ran for 146 yards and touchdowns of five, six and 70 yards, and caught a six-yard scoring pass.
Brett Rypien completed 19 of 36 passes for 215 yards and one touchdown for Boise State, which won its fourth consecutive game against a Pac-12 opponent, and its second this season.
The Broncos’ offense accumulated 512 yards, but only 77 after halftime. Oregon State, held to 67 yards during the first half, finished with 287.
Oregon State’s Darell Garretson was 11 for 16 for 53 yards, but was benched after a half in favor of Conor Blount. The freshman walkon gave the Beavers a spark, as Oregon State scored 10 third-quarter points to cut the deficit to 31-17. at Arizona State 51, California 41 No. 9 Washington 35, at Arizona 28 (OT)