Matt L. Stephens

matthewstephens@coloradoan.com

Had the following plays gone the other way, CSU might have had a chance in the Rocky Mountain Showdown, rather than falling 44-7.

Sefo Liufau’s fumble into the end zone

The Colorado State University defense had an opportunity to stop the Buffs’ momentum early.

Facing a second down and 2 from the CSU 5-yard line, Liufau, the CU quarterback, scrambled toward the end zone, dove and had the football popped loose by Rams’ linebacker Kevin Davis. The ball should have been recovered in the end zone by CSU cornerback Tyree Simmons, who pounced on it but couldn’t gain control. Instead, CU lineman Alex Kelley fell on it and put the Buffs ahead 6-0. They'd never look back.

Three turnovers by Nick Stevens

Stevens’ first turnover wasn’t completely his fault, but it was a big one. With the Rams already down 21-0 in the second quarter, CSU had a third-down and 9 from its own 29-yard line when Stevens was sacked by Jimmie Gilbert, jarring the ball loose. CU recovered the fumble and converted a field goal four plays later.

Stevens, who earned the start at quarterback ahead of graduate transfer Faton Bauta, also threw two interceptions that had no chance of being caught by CSU receivers. The Buffs converted those two picks into 10 points.