A Slow Start to the Season (Week 1)

Boulder, Colorado - The 2012 season is still a disappointing memory and one many wish to forget, but the Rocky Mountain Showdown is what troubles the minds of every Colorado Buffaloes fan.  CSU pulled out the win 22-17.  After that abysmal loss,  the Buffaloes ended the season 1-11, the worst finish in the history of the Colorado Buffaloes, which led to the firing of their head coach Jon Embree after just two seasons.  Even after that horrific season, The Buffaloes must look to the future and take heart in the age old saying, "What doesn't kill you....makes you stronger."

The 2013 season has arrived and the new coach, Arthur Dayne, must pick up the pieces and return our beloved Colorado Buffaloes to the glory of the 1990's. Many fans were on the fence when it comes the young gun at quarterback that the coach has chosen to the lead the Buffaloes into their first game of the season.  Red shirt freshman Shane Dillon had high hopes for his first game and it's tough to say if he lived up to them.  He had a rocky first half where he threw 2 interceptions due to not reading the defense correctly and trying to force passes.  All the blame could not be put on the inexperienced Dillon though, as his receiving core struggled to lend a hand.  Junior receiver Paul Richardson was without a catch during the whole first half of the game.  Star running back Christian Powell was kept to under 50 yards due to the aggressive defense of CSU.  The Buffaloes were trailing 0-13 with 54 seconds left in the half when Greg Henderson returned a 94 yard kickoff to cut CSU's lead to 6.  The only solace the Buffaloes could take heading into halftime with the score 7-13 was the great defensive stops that kept the CSU offense from scoring touchdowns on their first 2 drives as they were held to field goals.  

Once halftime ended and both teams took the field, it was the start of a brand new game.  Whatever Arthur Dayne said in that locker room must of worked because the young gun QB Shane Dillon came out firing on all cylinders.  He played aggressive with his passes, but refrained from forcing things and opened up the run game for the junior Christian Powell who went on to score 2 TD's while amassing a total of 124 yards on the ground.  Dillon spread the ball around and even found his favorite duo of targets in WR Paul Richardson and TE Vincent Hobbs while he threw his way to 14 for 19 completions, 193 yards, and 1 TD.  The Buffaloes defense remained strong and held the lead of 24 - 13 given by their offense for the rest of the game.  CSU play calling soon became rushed as time dwindled down and that led to their quarterback throwing 2 interceptions which all but ended the game as running back Powell ran the clock out.

The Colorado Buffaloes closed out the Rocky Mountain Showdown with a victory over their long time rival CSU and the feeling of sweet revenge was a much needed asset that should propel them to surpass their last season's entire win total by next week's game against the FCS Midwest.  This is your numero uno reporter signing off......see you at Folsom for next week's game and remember to save me a Coors.