No. 22 Colorado stays perfect with 36-14 win over Nebraska
The Colorado Buffaloes took care of business in Folsom Field's 100th home opener, beating Nebraska 36-14 on Saturday afternoon.
Shedeur Sanders threw for 394 yards and two touchdowns. The former Jackson State transfer put up another mistake-free game against the Buffs' biggest rival. He ran for another score and channeled his father's energy in the celebration effort.
Nebraska came out trying to match Colorado in the early going. Both teams scrapped for a scoreless result in the first 17 minutes before the Buffs rattled three straight scoring drives in the final 2:34 before haltime. A 31-yard Jace Feely field goal put CU on the board before quickly taking a 13-0 lead going into the break.
Huskers QB Jeff Sims had three first-half turnovers (INT, two fumbles). Colorado capitlized by putting Nebraska down and didn't let up in the second half. Sims took a 57-yard run to the end zone, which reduced CU's lead to six points with 9:50 left in the third quarter. It was his only touchdown before exiting with an injury midway through the fourth quarter.
Colorado didn't look polished on offense, but still managed to add 24 unanswered points on Nebraska after Sims' long scoring run. Sanders hit Xavier Weaver for a 12-yard for a touchdown pass at the 6:49 mark of the 3rd quarter, putting the Buffs back up by two scores.
Feely tacked on his third field goal of the day, giving Colorado a 23-7 lead near the end of the third quarter. Tar'Varish Dawson ran for an 8-yard score, which was his second of the day. The Buffs receiver connected with Sanders for a 30-yard touchdown eariler in the game. Sanders then accounted for the Buffs' last score with a 6-yard run.
Nebraska backup QB Heinrich Haarberg found Thomas Fidone II for a 4-yard touchdown with less than a minute remaining for the final.
The Buffs came into the game as 3-point favorites. The 22-point win is the largest margin of victory for Colorado since a 62-36 upset over Nebraska in 2001.
UP NEXT:
Colorado (2-0) welcome in-state rival Colorado State to Boulder next week. A Rocky Mountain Showdown feature on ESPN.
Nebraska (0-2) returns home to face Northern Illinois next week. A rough start to Matt Rhule's tenure in Lincoln.
