Below the Low-Point
By Michael Krumholtz
The colors are changing now. Nothing is happening too fast, but still the mind registers
this all in a slow rewind under a sunlit daze.
White uniforms run wild in amazed triumph, completely replacing the black-jersey
Buffaloes who migrate dejected to the locker-room. Above them, the yellow clad fans
abandon their posts, leaving the steel benches bare. It’s the kind of event where one
doesn’t know if what has happened in fact did happen until the people around him start
commenting in ways to prove his suspicion true.
The Buffs 28-30 home-opening loss to FCS opponent Sacramento State left a sad mosaic
for their Folsom faithful. After taking an early 14-0 lead, the Buffs defense allowed 466
yards to the Big Sky member.
Quarterback Jordan Webb completed 50% of his passes, overthrowing open receivers on
more than one occasion.
Upon a reporter asking Head Coach Jon Embree if he would bench Webb in favor of
Connor Wood (who completed his only attempt of the day for 28 yards after Webb’s
helmet came off), he responded with a one-upper.
“Everything will be re-evaluated,” Embree promised. “(For) all positions.”
Webb looked indecisive and panicky as soon as the first jeers began ringing down from
the stands. Again, the offensive line’s protection was suspect, leading to three sacks and
an unrecorded amount of rash decisions.
“Yeah I missed a couple but every quarterback does,” Webb said. “A couple of them I
was just trying to get the ball out of my hands and avoid a sack.”
And though the passing game didn’t create any turnovers, the consistent offensive spark
came from the determined engine of fullback Christian Powell. The freshman looked
like a retrograde big back while carrying the ball 28 times for 147 yards and three
touchdowns. His 64-yard score after only a minute of play seemed to be the beginning of
a blowout.
Then, Sacramento State continued to hang around, even carrying a 24-21 lead into
halftime. After giving up all those points, the defense responded better in the second
half, but remained cursed by a non-influential defensive line and a young secondary that
started three freshman cornerbacks in the nickel rotation.
“The kind of things we do in practice against our offense, no disrespect to Sacramento
State but they are nowhere near our offense,” defensive end Chidera Uzo-Diribe
said. “And to go out there and for them to do what they did against us – it’s
embarrassing.”
Embarrassing is a PG way to put it. Embree said after the loss to Colorado State that he
still expects his squad to qualify for a bowl game. Bowl game? It’s more likely that Ellen
Degeneres will advertise for Chick-Fil-A. Really, what team remaining on the schedule
will CU be favored to beat?
The last offensive drive flamed out in a predictable set of three straight running plays,
surrendering the ball back to the Hornets offense for their winning score. Embree
declined that there exists a miscommunication between the coaching staff.
“We’re on the same page,” Embree said. “We just have to get a different book.”
Now in a 0-2 hole, the Buffs continue plummeting deeper, away from the hopeful rays
that reserve their shine for the competitive. All that can be seen from the view here is a
long, almost never-ending darkness that is blinding the eyes of any tint.
By Michael Krumholtz
The colors are changing now. Nothing is happening too fast, but still the mind registers
this all in a slow rewind under a sunlit daze.
White uniforms run wild in amazed triumph, completely replacing the black-jersey
Buffaloes who migrate dejected to the locker-room. Above them, the yellow clad fans
abandon their posts, leaving the steel benches bare. It’s the kind of event where one
doesn’t know if what has happened in fact did happen until the people around him start
commenting in ways to prove his suspicion true.
The Buffs 28-30 home-opening loss to FCS opponent Sacramento State left a sad mosaic
for their Folsom faithful. After taking an early 14-0 lead, the Buffs defense allowed 466
yards to the Big Sky member.
Quarterback Jordan Webb completed 50% of his passes, overthrowing open receivers on
more than one occasion.
Upon a reporter asking Head Coach Jon Embree if he would bench Webb in favor of
Connor Wood (who completed his only attempt of the day for 28 yards after Webb’s
helmet came off), he responded with a one-upper.
“Everything will be re-evaluated,” Embree promised. “(For) all positions.”
Webb looked indecisive and panicky as soon as the first jeers began ringing down from
the stands. Again, the offensive line’s protection was suspect, leading to three sacks and
an unrecorded amount of rash decisions.
“Yeah I missed a couple but every quarterback does,” Webb said. “A couple of them I
was just trying to get the ball out of my hands and avoid a sack.”
And though the passing game didn’t create any turnovers, the consistent offensive spark
came from the determined engine of fullback Christian Powell. The freshman looked
like a retrograde big back while carrying the ball 28 times for 147 yards and three
touchdowns. His 64-yard score after only a minute of play seemed to be the beginning of
a blowout.
Then, Sacramento State continued to hang around, even carrying a 24-21 lead into
halftime. After giving up all those points, the defense responded better in the second
half, but remained cursed by a non-influential defensive line and a young secondary that
started three freshman cornerbacks in the nickel rotation.
“The kind of things we do in practice against our offense, no disrespect to Sacramento
State but they are nowhere near our offense,” defensive end Chidera Uzo-Diribe
said. “And to go out there and for them to do what they did against us – it’s
embarrassing.”
Embarrassing is a PG way to put it. Embree said after the loss to Colorado State that he
still expects his squad to qualify for a bowl game. Bowl game? It’s more likely that Ellen
Degeneres will advertise for Chick-Fil-A. Really, what team remaining on the schedule
will CU be favored to beat?
The last offensive drive flamed out in a predictable set of three straight running plays,
surrendering the ball back to the Hornets offense for their winning score. Embree
declined that there exists a miscommunication between the coaching staff.
“We’re on the same page,” Embree said. “We just have to get a different book.”
Now in a 0-2 hole, the Buffs continue plummeting deeper, away from the hopeful rays
that reserve their shine for the competitive. All that can be seen from the view here is a
long, almost never-ending darkness that is blinding the eyes of any tint.
