Dave Gibson, Denver. Last Friday night’s Rocky Mountain Showdown marked the last scheduled meeting between the CU Buffaloes and CSU Rams at Mile High Stadium. CU had won twelve of the eighteen previous games held there with CSU’s last victory coming five years ago in a memorable 31 – 17 upset. The popular in-state rivalry continues next year at Canvas Stadium, Fort Collins, followed by a two-year hiatus. The Buffs and Rams will meet again in 2023 at Folsom Field, Boulder, and 2024 at Canvas Stadium.

Even though the Rams entered the contest as 13 and a half point underdogs, someone forgot to tell their coaches and players that they weren’t expected to win. CU struck first with a well executed 75-yard TD drive that included a 32-yard scamper by running back Alex Fontenot. He would finish the day with 19 carries for 129 yards and three rushing touchdowns in his first college start. CSU wasted no time answering with an 80-yard drive of their own capped by a 39-yard Collin Hill TD pass to Dante Wright that tied the score. A field goal added three points for the Buffaloes. On the Rams next possession, a methodical march of 92 yards culminated in a Warren Jackson TD catch and the first time the Rams had led the Buffs since the second quarter of their 2015 matchup. Next, a six-play, 75-yard drive by CU resulted in a touchdown. CSU freshman Dante Wright ran 41 yards for his second touchdown to put the Rams in front 21 - 17 with 1:35 left in the first half. CU quarterback Steven Montez took advantage of what little time was remaining to connect with Laviska Shenault at the goal line for another CU touchdown. Score at halftime: CU 24, CSU 21.

As one of the more exciting first halves played between the two teams in recent memory, the fireworks continued into the third quarter. On CSU’s first possession, safety Aaron Maddox stripped the ball from quarterback Hill which resulted in a turnover and good field position for the Buffs at the CSU 27-yard line. A 19-yard Montez scramble and 7-yard Fontenot TD put CU up by 10 points. A CSU field goal and CU touchdown brought the tally to Buffs 45, Rams 31. After that score with 9:16 left on the clock, more than half of the Rams’ fans and many of the Buffs’ fans left the stadium having seen the act before. If the outcome were still in question, the result was cemented by CU linebacker Jonathan Van Diest’s strip sack that defensive end Mustafa Johnson scooped up for a touchdown. CSU’s Collin Hill completed 31 of 47 attempts for 374 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions (both by CU safety Mikial Onu). A telling statistic in football as there is, CU committed zero turnovers to CSU’s four. The teams combined to produce over 1000 yards of total offense which translated to the most points ever scored in a Rocky Mountain Showdown. Final score: Buffs 52, Rams 31. 

Said Mel Tucker after his inaugural game as CU head coach, “I’m proud of this group, I really am. It’s very rewarding to take a group like this, that has all bought in, and see them go out and perform and have a really good team win.”

Both the Buffaloes and Rams play at home next week hosting Nebraska and Western Illinois respectively. To purchase tickets go to www.CUBuffs.com  or www.CSURams.com.  

(Originally published in the September 5, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)