Colorado State Rams Top Colorado Buffaloes In Rocky Mountain Showdown, 31-17

Aug 29, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado State Rams running back Dee Hart (10) rushes against the Colorado Buffaloes in the first quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado State Rams captured the victory Friday night 31-17, defeating the Colorado Buffaloes in the 86th annual Rocky Mountain Showdown to earn bragging rights for the year. With the win, Colorado State is now 22-61-2 all-time against the Buffs.

The Buffs came out of the gates red-hot Friday night as the team would orchestrate a 3-play drive for 66 yards in just one minute as Sefo Liufau lobbed a deep pass for Nelson Spruce which resulted in a 54-yard touchdown. Colorado would take the 7-0 lead as they looked to be in the driver’s seat.

After marching 49 yards on 14-plays during the early part of the second quarter, Colorado was stuffed by Colorado State’s defense. CU had four chances to punch the ball in from the three yard-line but couldn’t convert. CU had the opportunity to go for it on fourth and one at the one yard line but declined.  Instead, they settled for a 23-yard field goal from Will Oliver to take the 10-0 lead. Colorado’s offense was stagnant for the remainder of the quarter as they just couldn’t finish off drives.

Colorado States offense struggled in the first-half, mainly due to the quarterback play. Garrett Grayson completed just 5-of-12 passes for 38 yards while transfer running back Dee Hart via Alabama stole the show. He would carry the ball 10 times for 58 yards, recording his first touchdown as a Ram to shift the momentum as the Buffs lead 10-7 at the half.

In the second half, Colorado State started out with the ball but that didn’t last long. After two converted first-downs, Buffs freshman defensive end Derek McCartney applied pressure on Grayson, forcing the quarterback to fumble as Colorado took over.

It wouldn’t take long for the Buffaloes to put points up on the board as Sefo Liufau found Nelson Spruce yet again on a 12-yard touchdown pass in the back of the end-zone. Colorado would take the 17-7 lead as the turnover from Grayson proved costly. For more on the drive, it took Colorado just 3:11 to move 62-yards on 9-plays.

If you though the Rams would fold from that point on, you’re wrong. They would ground and pound their way to the end-zone as Colorado’s defense looked non-existent. After a couple of solid runs from Dee Hart and Trevous Jarrells, Jarrells would be the one to cap a 7-play, 56 yard drive with a three yard rushing touchdown as he too collected his first TD as a Ram. Colorado State would trim the lead to three, 17-14 CU.

After a CU punt, the Rams went back to work. The team would continue to expose the Buffs defensive line, moving down the field as Treyous Jarrells set CSU up at the 16-yard line with a 5-yard rush. Garrett Grayson would give the Rams their first lead of the game as he connected with Rashard Higgins for a 16-yard touchdown pass, pushing the Rams lead to 21-17.

With Colorado’s offensive like their defensive in a state of flux, they were forced to punt yet again as the Rams took advantage. Dee Hart and Trevous Jarrells pounded the rock yet again as Hart recorded a three-yard touchdown run to cap a 7-play, 60 yard drive to give Colorado State the 28-17 lead with 9:28 remaining in the fourth.

Dee Hart and Trevous Jarrells were the stars of the show as they both recorded 100+ yards on the night. Colorado State would add-on three points as kicker Jared Roberts knocked down a 52-yard field goal to increase the lead to 31-17 and that was all she wrote.

Buffs fall to 0-1 on the season while the Rams improve to 1-0.