Before we get to the Colorado Buffaloes week 8, we will start with a happy memory. On September 24, 2016, redshirt freshman quarterback Steven Montez led the University of Colorado football team to a 41-38 road victory over the Oregon Ducks in what was one of the hallmark wins of the Mike MacIntyre era. On October 11, 2019, senior quarterback Steven Montez was the quarterback for what is easily the worst loss in the Mel Tucker era thus far in College Football Week 8.

Beginning was the End for the Colorado Buffaloes in Week 8

The Buffaloes looked competitive at the start, as Oregon fumbled it on the first possession to get stuffed into a 2nd and 29. However, the Ducks would take two plays to gain that yardage back. After that, the defense never gained its footing on that drive and Oregon took a quick 7-0 lead.

The first offensive possession for the Buffaloes resulted in a three-and-out. However, the defense would be able to stop Oregon deep in Buffaloes territory. The offense was able to convert their next drive into a field goal to cut the lead to 7-3. Montez completed eight passes on the drive, but the Buffaloes lacked the explosiveness they needed to compete with the Ducks.

Defense Was a Bright Spot in 1st Half

The defense was doing enough to keep the score in striking distance despite two consecutive three-and-outs by the Buffaloes offense. The Ducks lengthened their lead to 17-3 halfway through the second quarter, but the Buffaloes were able to get to the Oregon red zone with the help of two defensive pass interference penalties on the part of the Ducks.

However, the Buffaloes would be hampered by penalties and end up facing a third-and-goal from the Oregon 11-yard line. Montez would roll to his left as his offensive line was unable to contain the Oregon pass rush, and throw a ball into a crowd of CU and Oregon players. It would end up falling into the hands of Verone McKinley III of Oregon.

This play epitomized the early season struggles that the inconsistent Buffaloes offense has been having this season. Sometimes Montez is able to improvise when his protection breaks down and create amazing plays, such as with the touchdown he threw against Arizona last week. However, this play would be the first of many careless mistakes Montez made in this game because he was trying to do too much.

Oregon would add another touchdown to their lead off of the turnover to take a 24-3 lead into the halftime locker room. The second half would not be any better for the Buffaloes.

Growing Pains for the Buffaloes

On the second play after halftime, Montez threw the ball into double coverage and got picked off for the second throw in a row. Once again, this interception happened off of a tip drill, and Montez was trying to force a play to tight end Brady Russell yet again. Oregon would convert this turnover into a touchdown, giving them a 31-3 lead.

The Buffaloes gave up 30 points yet again, which they have done in every game this season. It is not a good look given that Mel Tucker was hired at Boulder due to his defensive prowess. One may look at this game and think that these are the same old Buffaloes, but when any program gets new leadership there are expected to be growing pains. This fateful Friday night in Eugene proved to be the worst growing pain yet in the Mel Tucker era.

Montez would throw his third pick the next possession, as Verone McKinley III was right there to take the gift from Montez. The offense would once again make the most of the gift and greaten their lead to 38-3. On the next possession, the Buffs got a little momentum going offensively. However, Montez was looking to star receiver Laviska Shenault, who was back after missing last week’s game against Arizona, and he would throw yet another tip-drill interception. This one was on a fourth-down throw into the end zone, but it exasperated what was already a bad night for Montez. October 11, 2019, would be the exact opposite feeling of September 24, 2016.

Too Many Mistakes

The Buffaloes had miscues everywhere once the game got out of hand, including missing a 33-yard field goal in the fourth quarter when they were trailing 45-3. Some may say that kicking a field goal down 42 points in a head-scratcher, but the team was looking for anything that they could take away that would instill confidence for future opponents. Oregon laid their claim as the best team in the Pac-12 with their smothering defense and potent offense led by star quarterback Justin Herbert, and the Buffaloes lost every facet of the game.

The frustrations would boil over in the fourth quarter, as Laviska Shenault was seen pushing an Oregon player with about nine minutes left in the game, but Jalen Harris would get ejected with about four minutes to go for throwing a punch. The growing pain had eviscerated, and the Buffaloes fled Eugene after a 42-point defeat.

What’s Next for Colorado Buffaloes 2019?

There are lessons that can be learned from losses like these, and a lot that can be learned about a team in response to complete breakdowns like the one that was seen on Friday night in Eugene. The Buffaloes will have a chance to apply these lessons when they meet Washington State in College Football Week 8, who they lost to last year in Boulder 31-7. It will be a chance to see what lessons were learned from losing to Oregon. If the Buffaloes have the right mindset, it will come to no one’s surprise that they will be able to compete with Washington State, given that their first five games of 2019 were all one-possession games. The sour taste left in the mouth of the Buffaloes from College Football Week 7 will stay until the Buffaloes show growth from it.

Check out Colorado Buffaloes Week 7

