Buffs’ rally falls short
CU joins 2009 Kansas as only teams to start 5-0, finish with seven losses
» An historical collapse is complete. BE R KELEY, CA LIF. A new coach and new attitude couldn’t prevent the same result for the Buffaloes, who f inished their season on a seven-game losing streak.
Six days after firing head coach Mike Macintyre, the Buffaloes (5-7, 2-7 Pac-12) put a cap on a nosedive that took them from first place in the Pac-12 South seven weeks ago to last.
CU joins the 2009 Kansas Jayhawks as the only Power 5 conference teams since 1997 to start a season 5-0 and finish 5-7.
The Buffs also finished last in the South for the seventh time in eight seasons since joining the Pac-12 and fell to 0-10 in the past two seasons when playing for bowl eligibility.
It was fitting that the final game of a disastrous season got off to a disastrous start.
The Buffs got the ball to start the game and just three plays into it, Montez was picked off by Elijah Hicks, who returned it 34 yards for a touchdown.
Three plays later, Montez threw another pick-six, this one to Ashtyn Davis, who returned the interception 35 yards for a score. Just like that, Cal had a 14-0 lead before its offense touched the ball.
A third CU turnover — a fumbled punt return by Ronnie Blackmon gave Cal the ball at the CU 29-yard line. Eight plays later, the Bears scored on a 1-yard touchdown pass
from Chase Garbers to Patrick Laird.
Cal, which had scored 40 points in the previous three games combined, had a 21-0 lead just 10:19 into the game.
“Three scores with turnovers,” interim Colorado coach Kurt Roper said. Roper said. “Obviously that changes the game.”
CU wound up with five firsthalf turnovers — including three Montez interceptions — helping Cal to a 24-7 lead at intermission.
Despite the 17-point deficit at the break, the Buffs’ defense held its own against a Cal offense that came into the game last in the Pac12 in scoring. The Bears had just three first downs and 91 total yards in the half.
CU’S strong defense continued into the second half, as they forced a Cal punt on the opening drive of the half.
The Buffs then got their offense going a bit.
Montez led the Buffs on a nineplay, 60-yard scoring march, capping it with a 24-yard touchdown pass to KD Nixon.
Later in the third, Cal extended the lead to 27-14 with a field goal, but responded with its best drive of the game.
The Buffs went 79 yards in 10 plays and Montez’s 3-yard touchdown pass to Juwann Winfree cut the deficit to 27-21 with 41 seconds to play in the third quarter.
Cal’s offense then stepped up when needed.
On the Bears’ next offensive play, Chase Garbers connected with Moe Ways for a 30-yard pass to get the drive started. Nine plays later, the Buffs chase Garbers out of bounds on third-and-goal, but Drew Lewis was flagged for a late hit, giving Cal a first down.
The next play was a 7-yard touchdown pass from Garbers to Ways, extending the lead to 33-21.
CU was unable to answer in the fourth quarter — the fourth consecutive game it failed to score in the final quarter.
Colorado will now turn its full attention to finding a full-time replacement for Macintyre and preparing for the 2019 season.
“Moving forward, this is a great program,” Roper said. “It’s going to do nothing but ascend.”