Nebraska and 30,000 of its faithful traveled to Boulder to take on Colorado in NCAA football yesterday. 30,125 people went home unhappy. In what will become a game of legend, CU stormed back in the second half to win in OT, 34-31.
Trailing 17-0 at halftime after a lackluster performance, Colorado made the necessary adjustments and shut down the Cornhuskers offense for much of the second half. The turning point came on a 96-yard flea flicker. The trick play fooled the Nebraska defense and QB Stephen Montez threw a perfect strike to pull the Buffs within 3, 17-14. He also hit Tony Brown for a 26 yard touchdown with :46 left to tie the score at 31. On the day, Montez threw for 375 yards.
That set the stage for the improbable finish. The Buffs got the ball first in overtime and settled for a field goal. Nebraska then got the ball but QB Aaron Martinez was sacked on third down, setting up a game-tying 49 yard field goal attempt. The kick never had a chance and missed badly to the right, sending the CU faithful rushing onto the field to celebrate.
September 7, 2019: The refereee explains the coin toss to Nebraska and Colorado players before the game at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Nebraska Cornhuskers offensive lineman Matt Farniok (71) and Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (2) shake hands before the game at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Colorado mascot Ralph the Buffalo runs on the field prior to the game against Nebraska at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Colorado came from behind to defeat Nebraska 34-31 in OT. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: A Nebraska cheerleader tries to fire up the team against Colorado in the first half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Nebraska cheerleaders celebrate a touchdown in the second half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Colorado came from behind to defeat Nebraska 34-31 in OT. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Nebraska cheerleaders run team flags onto the field to celebrate a touchdown against Colorado in the first half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive lineman Darrion Daniels (79) pressures Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Steven Montez (12) in the first half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: DUPLICATE***Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7)***Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Mohamed Barry (7) just misses blocking a pass attempt by Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Steven Montez (12) in the first half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Collin Miller (31) celebrates a defensive stop against Colorado in the first half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: in the first half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Colorado Buffaloes offensive lineman William Sherman (78) blocks Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive lineman Khalil Davis (94) in the first half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) launches a long touchdown pass to wide receiver JD Spielman (10) against Colorado in the first half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver JD Spielman (10) hauls in a long pass against Colorado for the touchdown in the first half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Nebraska fans celebrate a big play in the first half against Colorado at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive lineman Carlos Davis (96) tries to chase down Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Steven Montez (12) in the first half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Nebraska fans celebrate a big play against Colorado in the first half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Colorado Buffaloes linebacker Nate Landman (53) causes a fumble after tackling Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) in the first half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson 1 hauls in a pass in the first half against Colorado at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Scott Frost walks the sideline in the second half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Colorado came from behind to defeat Nebraska 34-31 in OT. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Nebraska Cornhuskers cornerback Lamar Jackson (21) and Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Tony Brown (18) battle for a ball in the second half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. The pass fell incomplete. Colorado came from behind to defeat Nebraska 34-31 in OT. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) launches a pass in the second half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Colorado came from behind to defeat Nebraska 34-31 in OT. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver JD Spielman (10) can’t come up with a pass as he is defended by Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Chris Miller (14) in the second half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Colorado came from behind to defeat Nebraska 34-31 in OT. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Steven Montez (12) throws a 96 yard touchdown on a flee flicker in the second half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Colorado came from behind to defeat Nebraska 34-31 in OT. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver K.D. Nixon (3) hauls in a pass over Nebraska Cornhuskers cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (5) in the second half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Colorado came from behind to defeat Nebraska 34-31 in OT. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Maurice Washington (28) goes all the way for a 75-yard touchdown against Colorado in the second half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Colorado came from behind to defeat Nebraska 34-31 in OT. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Jaylon Jackson (10) goes up to catch a pass for a long completion against Nebraska in the second half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Colorado came from behind to defeat Nebraska 34-31 in OT. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: The Colorado marching band plays in the second half timeout at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Colorado came from behind to defeat Nebraska 34-31 in OT. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: DUPLICATE***Colorado Buffaloes safety Mikial Onu (2)***Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (2) returns a kickoff against Nebraska in the second half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Shenault fumbled on the play but Colorado came from behind to defeat Nebraska 34-31 in OT. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: A scrum for a fumble develops between Colorado and Nebraska in the second half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Nebraska recovered the ball but Colorado came from behind to defeat Nebraska 34-31 in OT. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Nebraska fans celebrate a fumble recovery against Colorado in the second half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Colorado came from behind to defeat Nebraska 34-31 in OT. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: A Colorado fan wants an intentional grounding call in the second half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. A foul was called on the play and Nebraska was forced to punt. Colorado came from behind to defeat Nebraska 34-31 in OT. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Colorado Buffaloes tight end Brady Russell (38) tries to avoid the tackle of Nebraska Cornhuskers cornerback Dicaprio Bootle (23) in the second half at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Colorado came from behind to defeat Nebraska 34-31 in OT. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: The Colorado sideline and head coach Mel Tucker (middle) celebrate a missed field goal in overtime at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Colorado came from behind to defeat Nebraska 34-31 in OT. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Colorado players celebrate Nebraska’s missed field goal in overtime at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Colorado came from behind to defeat Nebraska 34-31 in OT. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Colorado fans celebrate a 96 yard touchdown against Nebraska at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Colorado came from behind to defeat Nebraska 34-31 in OT. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Nebraska fans celebrate at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Colorado came from behind to defeat Nebraska 34-31 in OT. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Colorado fans celebrate the tying touchdown against Nebraska late in the fourth quarter at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Colorado came from behind to defeat Nebraska 34-31 in OT. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Colorado fans storm the field to celebrate the Buffs’ victory over Nebraska at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Colorado came from behind to defeat Nebraska 34-31 in OT. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Colorado fans storm the field to celebrate the Buffs’ victory over Nebraska at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Colorado came from behind to defeat Nebraska 34-31 in OT. Derek Regensburger/CSM.
September 7, 2019: Colorado fans storm the field to celebrate the Buffs’ victory over Nebraska at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Colorado came from behind to defeat Nebraska 34-31 in OT. Derek Regensburger/CSM.