Game breakdown: Colorado rolls Nebraska in home-opener

Playing in front of Folsom Field’s largest crowd (53,241), quarterback Shedeur Sanders eventually found his rhythm while the defense applied pressure to send Nebraska packing and giving the Buffs their second victory, 36-14.

Sanders didn’t repeat another 510-yard game, but once offensive coordinator Sean Lewis got a better grasp on the defense, Sanders was rolling as he completed 31 of his 42 passes for 393 yards and 2 touchdowns.

WR Tar’Varish Dawson Jr. emerged on offense recording 41 yards and 1 touchdown.

The passing game still remained prevalent, while Weaver was the main beneficiary of Sanders’ passes posting his second 100-plus yard game (170 yards on 10 catches) and one touchdown.

Nebraska’s defense presented a handful of challenges throughout the first half, but the Buffs defense dominated throughout the four quarters forcing four turnovers and one sack, one interception, 6 tackles for loss and three fumble recoveries.

Making his first start for the Buffs, Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig was able to intercept Jeff Sims in the second quarter.

Taijh Alston played a key role in the pass rush recording the 1.5 sack. The pass rush overall let Sims scrambling as he finished 9 for 15 for 106 yards and 1 rushing touchdown. That 57-yard rush was the only moment the Buffs defense fell flat.

Overall, from the front to the back the Buffs defense produced a much better showing than in Week 1 holding the Huskers to 341 total offense — compared to last’s week’s 541 total offensive yards for TCU.

In the first half, both defensive units came out the gates with pressure as Sims and Sanders stayed scrambling for options. It was only until the pressure led to Sims fumbling the snap for Arden Walker to recover at Colorado’s 35.

Colorado still didn’t score on that drive, but Sims once again fumbled the ball and Jordan Domineck scooped it up to place the Buffs on Nebraska’s 19.

On the first play after the recovery, Shedeur Sanders found Dawson out in space in the endzone to give CU its first touchdown of the game with 2:35 left in the second.

Granted Sanders wasn’t given the most opportune looks, but he struggled to escape Nebraska’s consistent pressure. He was sacked four times with 2 additional hurries.Toward the end of the first half, the Buffs offense gained some momentum and Sanders finished with the first half completing 14-21 for 134 yards and a touchdown.

Scoring Summary:

Q2

CU: Jace Felly 31-yard FG (3-0)

CU: Tar’Varish .Dawson Jr. 30-yard reception, Jace Feely PAT GOOD, (10-0)

CU: Jace Feely 32-yard FG (13-0)

Q3

Nebraska: Jeff Sims 57-yard rush, Tristan Alvano PAT GOOD, (13-7)

CU: Xavier Weaver 12-yard reception, Jace Feely PAT GOOD, (20-7)

CU: Jace Feely 30-yard FG, (23-7)

Q4

CU: Tar’varish Dawson 8-yard rush (2-pt conversion incomplete) 29-7

CU: Shedeur Sanders 6 yd rush (Jace Feely PAT GOOD) 36-7