By Garin Turner
The Colorado Buffaloes (1–2, 0–1 Big 12) opened their Big 12 schedule on Friday night with high hopes, but left Texas with a 36–20 defeat at the hands of the unbeaten Houston Cougars (3–0, 1–0 Big 12). Despite a spirited second-quarter rally that cut the deficit to two points, the Buffs couldn’t sustain momentum as Houston’s steady second-half surge sealed the outcome.
A Rocky Start, A Glimmer of Hope
Houston struck first, using a balanced attack to build a 13–0 lead on a short touchdown run from Dean Connors and a pair of field goals.
Colorado finally answered in the second quarter:
- Simeon Price ignited the Buffs with a 38-yard touchdown run, capping a 93-yard drive.
- Moments later, Zach Atkins punched in a goal-line score to make it 16–14 at halftime.
The surge showcased Colorado’s resilience, but it also highlighted their inconsistency — capable of brilliance one drive, then stagnant the next.
Second-Half Struggles
The third quarter swung the game. Colorado’s offense managed just a single possession, ending in a punt, while Houston extended its lead with a field goal and another touchdown for a 26–14 cushion.
In the fourth, Houston quarterback Conner Weigman delivered the backbreaker with a seven-yard touchdown run that stretched the margin to 33–14.
Colorado briefly fought back: Ryan Staub, making his first start, dropped a 37-yard touchdown strike to Joseph Williams. But an interception on the next drive ended hopes of a comeback, and Houston tacked on one final field goal.
Colorado’s Offensive Snapshot
- Ryan Staub (QB): 19/35, 204 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT in his first start. Showed poise at times but couldn’t find consistency.
- Simeon Price (RB): 5 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD — the lone bright spot on the ground.
- Joseph Williams (WR): 3 receptions, 52 yards, 1 TD.
- Omarion Miller (WR): 3 receptions, 54 yards.
Without a dependable rushing attack, Colorado leaned heavily on Staub, and the offense stalled too often in key moments.
Defensive Effort
Colorado’s defense had flashes but couldn’t tilt the game:
- Tawfiq Byard led with 14 tackles and half a sack.
- The Buffs forced two turnovers on downs but failed to produce the momentum-changing takeaway needed to flip field position.
By night’s end, Houston’s balance on the ground and in the air wore the defense down.
Big Picture
The loss drops Colorado below .500 and underscores areas of concern:
- Running game inconsistency — outside of Price’s big run, production was minimal.
- Quarterback development — Staub showed promise, but costly mistakes hurt.
- Takeaways lacking — the defense needs game-changing plays to complement its effort.
The Buffs showed grit but not enough polish to beat a ranked conference foe on the road.
Looking Ahead
Colorado returns home in Week 4 to face Wyoming, seeking to reset their season before the Big 12 grind intensifies. With Staub gaining experience and playmakers like Price and Miller flashing potential, the pieces are there — but execution must catch up with talent.
Final Score: Houston 36, Colorado 20
Buffaloes fall to 1–2 (0–1 Big 12); Cougars improve to 3–0 (1–0 Big 12).
