In what was arguably every bit the rivalry game we expected it to be and then some, things came down to who could make the most plays when their team needed them most. Throughout the week, it was the head coaches of each team that were the center of attention. Rams HC Jay Norvell fired the initial shot, criticizing the fact that Coach Prime wears his hat and sunglasses during his media availability. Prime later responded by providing sunglasses for his entire team.
Fast-forward to the day of the game, it was a party at the Boulder! From Lil Wayne performing a concert, to guest appearances by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson-who was gifted his own Shedeur Sanders jersey, Offset, Kawhi Leonard, etc., the vibes could not have been set any higher! The same could be said for the amount of emotion and hostility expressed between these two teams during pregame warm-ups.
All of that energy carried over to the start of game, where both sides were on GO. Shilo Sanders got the fireworks started early with a pick six to get the Buffs on the board first. Not wanting to be outdone, the Rams defense put the pressure on Shedeur Sanders early and often, coming away with an INT and then coming away with a scoop’n’score.
Mohamed Kamara, who has been on a tear all night, ended up getting EJECTED out of the game for illegal targeting. His absence was felt immediately, as Sanders had all day in the pocket to scan the end zone and find his tight end coming open to present a target. He put it right on him for a touchdown to put the Buffs up 35-28.
Rams respond with a Tory Horton redzone TD to force a double OT. Horton was a one-man show, making life for Buffs DBs a living nightmare.
Buffs TE Michael Harrison—who I have as my clutch player of the game—stepped up in the biggest way for his team tonight. Coming away with both TD catches in the OT period. It all came down to double OT. The Rams had to respond by scoring a TD + 2PT just to force a triple OT. However, much like how the night has gone, the penalties and self-inflicted wounds started to catch up with them. They started the drive with an illegal blindside block which knocked them back 15-yards. Buffs responded by coming away with two clutch PBUs to force a do-or-die moment on 4th.
An INT sealed the game, as the Buffs complete the monstrous 43-35 comeback to improve to 3-0 on the season! Fans have begun to storm the field in celebration.
There may have been some animosity between Coach Prime and Norvell, but there has to be at least some level of respect after tonight. Both head coaches put on what was without a doubt going to be up there as one of the best games of the regular season.
GETTING HEATED ALREADY 🍿
— Barstool Colorado (@CUBarstool) September 17, 2023
CSU IS COOKED
— Barstool Colorado (@CUBarstool) September 17, 2023
Mohamed Kamara ejected for this obviously unnecessary hit on Shedeur Sanders pic.twitter.com/rFSD4vxvZ3
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 17, 2023