The Buffs first drive of the second quarter made the Georgia defense look good, as the Buffs gained only one first down, and were forced to punt after Jackson was sacked.
The Buffs defense was swarming on the Bulldogs first drive, sacking Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford and stopping a run, and then pressuring Stafford into an incomplete pass, forcing the Georgia punt after another three and out.
Jackson continued to look like a seasoned quarterback on the next drive, as the Buffs ran only four plays- a Jackson-to-Dusty Sprague pass for 16 yards, a Jackson run for 29 yards, a Jackson-to-Charles screen pass for 17 yards, and a Jackson one-yard quarterback sneak for a touchdown. The drive went for 73 yards in only 1:31 and put CU up 10-0 with 10:08 to go in the first half.
The Bulldogs picked up only their second first down of the game after a 10-yard scamper by running back Danny Ware. Three plays later however, Georgia was forced to punt again thanks to strong defensive play from CU.
The Buffs continued to use misdirection, bootleg, and screen passes to their advantage to move the ball against the Bulldogs. They were able to pick up one first down on the drive, but after two batted passes, CU had to punt.
Georgia took a page out of the Buffs game plan on their next series, using screen passes and a strong running game to move the ball. A personal foul penalty on Colorado moved the ball into Buffs territory for the first time with 2:25 to go in the half. A dropped pass, a short run, and a tipped pass by safety J.J. Billingsley later, and the Bulldogs found themselves in another fourth down. The Bulldogs sent out their kicker for a 53 yard field goal try, but he pushed it wide right, and Colorado maintained their 10-0 lead.
The Buffs had an amazing first half, looking poised and confident, running their offense with surprising efficiency. Jackson looked like an All-American, going 11 of 15 for 102 yards through the air and running nine times for 75 yards and a touchdown in the half. Running back Hugh Charles had a great half as well, running nine times for 49 yards, and freshman tight end Riar Geer had six catches for 59 yards in the half. The Buffs had 13 first downs and 243 yards of total offense, surpassing their season averages in the first half against a Bulldog defense that has pitched two consecutive shutouts.
The Buffs game plan was sound and executed well. The defense was equally sound, allowing a potent Georgia offense only four first downs and 51 total yards. Georgia can’t seem to find its rhythm on offense and the Buffs have, a complete 180 from the way the first three games for the Buffs have played out.
CU simply needs to continue their dominate play in the second half and cut back on the penalties that have derailed two of their impressive drives, and Colorado may walk out of Athens, Ga. with their first win of the season.
End of first half: Colorado 10, Georgia 0.
