In a file photo, the Buffs take on the Iowa State Cyclones on Nov. 8, 2008. CU lost against the Cyclones on Saturday. (CU Independent file/Danielle Alberti)
The Colorado Buffaloes’ backs were against the wall, and the wall finally caved in.
The Buffs, now with two games remaining, dropped to 3-7 overall after a 17-10 loss to the Iowa State Cyclones on Saturday in Ames, Iowa.
Needing at least a .500 record to become bowl-eligible, it is now mathematically impossible for CU (2-4 in the Big 12 Conference) to reach the postseason.
It will be the third time in head coach Dan Hawkins’ four years in Boulder that CU won’t play in a bowl game.
Buffs sophomore quarterback Tyler Hansen found sophomore wide receiver Markques Simas for a 36-yard touchdown pass to pull CU within seven points with 3 minutes, 17 seconds remaining in the game.
ISU (6-5, 3-4 Big 12) on its ensuing possession, however, chewed up 2:54 and pinned CU deep in its own territory with a punt to the 20-yard line. The Buffs had too much ground to make up and not enough time.
Late in the third quarter and trailing 17-3, the Buffs were nine yards away from making it a one-score when sophomore running back Rodney Stewart ran for 2 yards on a fourth-and-1 at ISU’s 11.
The Buffs’ momentum quickly evaporated as freshman offensive lineman Bryce Givens was called for a personal foul and unsportsmanlike conduct on back-to-back plays, which made it first-and-goal on ISU’s 39. CU managed to get a few yards back, but it didn’t matter as junior kicker Aric Goodman’s 42-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right.
CU, which trailed 10-3 at halftime, came out sluggish in the third. Hansen’s second pass of the quarter was intercepted by nose guard Nate Frere.
On the Buffs’ next possession, Stewart coughed up the football after he was hit by junior defensive back David Sims. It was scooped up by sophomore defensive lineman Stephen Ruempolhamer at CU’s 33. Six plays later, junior quarterback Austen Arnaud hit junior running back Alexander Robinson for a 20-yard touchdown strike to give the Cyclones a 17-3 lead.
ISU drew first blood midway through the first quarter as Arnaud capped an 83-yard drive with a 8-yard pass to Marqui Hamilton into the end zone. Arnaud carried the ball for three times while Robinson carried the ball four times in the drive. No pass plays were used until the ISU touchdown.
Both teams exchanged field goals in the second quarter to make it a 7-point game at intermission.
Hansen finished 18-of-38 passing for 258 yards. His go-to targets were Simas and junior Scotty McKnight, who combined to catch 15 passes for 235 yards.
Stewart carried the load on the ground as he rushed for 85 yards on 19 carries.
The Buffs were pushed back 110 yards after being called for 11 penalties.
CU will travel to Stillwater, Okla. to play the Oklahoma State Cowboys at 5:30 p.m. MST on Thursday.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Alex K.W. Schultz at Alexander.schultz@colorado.edu.
