College Football Recap: Colorado Buffaloes Fall To California Golden Bears In Double Overtime

Sep 27, 2014; Berkeley, CA, USA; Colorado Buffaloes fullback George Frazier (18) scores a touchdown against the California Golden Bears during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Buffaloes wasted an opportunity Saturday afternoon, falling to the California Golden Bears in overtime, 59-56.

The Buffaloes came out of the gates on fire Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. Buffaloes quarterback Sefo Liufau hit tight end Sean Irwin up the field for a 22-yard touchdown pass. The touchdown capped a 7 play, 56-yard drive to give the Buffs a 7-0 lead early in the first.

The Buffaloes would strike yet again on their very next possession as Liufau connected with fullback George Frazier for a two-yard strike. Colorado seemed to be in command, up 14-0 with 7:53 remaining in the first quarter. However, California would answer right back. Bears quarterback Jared Goff finished off a 6 play, 63-yard drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Lucus Gingold to bring the Bears to within seven.

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As if Colorado wasn’t already firing on all cylinders, the offense collected another touchdown late in the first quarter. Sefo Liufau recorded his third touchdown pass of the quarter, connecting with D.D. Goodson on a well-placed ball in the corner of the endzone. Colorado led the California Golden Bears by the score of 21-7 at the end of one.

Jared Goff and the Bears offense needed to get something going in their favor during the second quarter and did just that. Goff would rally his team on a 92-yard pass to Daniel Lasco, bringing the lead to within seven yet again. But once again, the Colorado Buffaloes offense was a train that couldn’t be stopped. George Frazier finished off a 10 play, 70-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 14 as Colorado led 28-14 at the half.

The second half was a different story. The California Golden Bears scored 21-unanswered points as Jared Goff collected two touchdown passes in that span, both to wide out Kenny Lawler to take the 35-28 lead. Colorado couldn’t get any help from their kicking game. Will Oliver missed three field goals which could have potentially put them ahead of the Bears by nine at that point.

California had the chance to take a three-point with 7:12 remaining in the fourth quarter, but like Colorado’s kicker, James Langford would miss wide-right on an attempt from 42-yards out.

On the ensuing Buffaloes possession, quarterback Sefo Liufau along with the running game, orchestrated a 10 play drive worth 76-yards, hitting his favorite target Nelson Spruce on a 6-yard slate route to give the Buffaloes a 42-35 lead with 3:16 left in the ball game.

Just as if California lost all hope, Jared Goff would make quick work of the Buffaloes defense, scrambling to his left and�connecting with wide out Stephen Anderson for a 75-yard touchdown to tie it all up at 42 apiece.

Sefo Liufau had been spectacular all afternoon, but during the final three minutes of the fourth quarter, he made a mistake. The sophomore quarterback would throw across his body which ended up being intercepted, giving the Bears an opportunity to capitalize on the scoreboard. California took the lead on a perfectly thrown ball from Jared Goff, connecting with target Chris Harper for a 40-yard touchdown pass. California took the 49-42 lead with under 2:29 remaining.

On the ensuing Buffaloes possession, they faced a critical 3rd and 4. Liufau would hand it off to Tony Jones who was tripped up with no gain. On 4th and 4, Liufau would complete a pass to Nelson Spruce for a huge first-down. On the very next play, Bryce Bobo would make the biggest play of his young CU career. Liufau threw a deep ball to Bobo for a 30-yard strike, tying it up at 49 as Colorado forced overtime.

Colorado won the coin toss in overtime, electing to start on defense. On 3rd & 10, Jared Goff faked the handoff and fooled the Buffaloes defense. He found a wide-open Bryce Treggs up the middle of the field. Colorado would have the chance to match due to the overtime rules.

On the very first play, Liufau would throw a deep ball to Nelson Spruce on the right side of the field, tying the ball game up at 56. This game seemed like it would never end.

During the second overtime, Colorado would start out with ball right away. On 4th & 1, Colorado got the much-needed first down with a full-back dive up the middle to keep their possession alive. Another fourth down was upon the Buffaloes, electing to go for it as Liufau was stuffed — terrible play call. California would take over, getting the chance to collect the victory. California would snap a 15-game losing streak within the conference as Lanford redeemed himself, hitting the game-winning 34-yard field goal.

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