November 2, 2013 -- Make note of the day. In years to come, it will be remembered as the day Sefo Liufau grew from the true freshman just months out of high school into the MAN who will lead Colorado back to respectability.
Critics of the Buffaloes will harp on the fact that Colorado's loss to #16 UCLA in the Rose Bowl was yet just another in too many consecutive losses to Pac-12 opponents. What these critics DO NOT see is just how how far Colorado has come under Mike MacIntyre. And they do not see how close CU came to playing a competitive ball game for four quarters against a ranked opponent on the road.
Even if he does not share it publicly, the head coach of the Buffs must be very happy in his heart this morning. He took a downtrodden program that was known for quitting or just going through the motions last year, and began the arduous task of rebuilding the Buffaloes into a TEAM.
It took much of spring practice to get the guys to enjoy playing football again, and it took much of pre-season for them to learn to respect and support one another again. Seven games into the 2013 season, the Buffs had tripled their win total from last year.
In game eight at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, the Buffs made their biggest improvement to date because they learned to FIGHT. The offense, led by star wide receiver Paul Richardson, finally decided that they were not going to take BS from anyone. And when the entire offensive line went after Anthony Barr, the top defensive player in the country, following his cheap shot on Liufau, the path back to respectability by the Buffs was finally chosen.
The impetus for the change most certainly came from Liufau. No matter how many times he was knocked down by cheap shots from UCLA, he got up and went back at 'em. He stood up to Barr, and his line came back to help. Despite the pounding, Liufau completed 25 of 36 passes for 247 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions. After this game, Sefo will never again be the young kid trying to adjust to the speed of the college game. He has seen it and knows he can play.
Truth be told, two plays separated this game from a nail biter. An unfortunate fumble by Ryan Severson on a kickoff return gave the Bruins the ball in scoring position. And a long 76 yard pass from Brett Hundley to Devin Fuller that was oh-so-close to being a sack or at least being hit as the ball was thrown. Take those two plays away and the Bruins are looking at one touchdown game.
Take a couple of missed field goals by CU and the game is neck and neck. Turn a couple of those field goals into touchdowns and CU maybe wins this game. The willingness to fight and protect their leader Liufau will make CU a team to be reckoned with going forward.
If the defense and the special teams can adopt the same fight, Colorado will be a much better team from this point on. If it happens this week, the Buffs stand a real chance of standing toe to toe with Washington on the road. Liufau grew up in Washington and has lots of family and friends that will be on hand to support him. He is ready to lead the Buffs to their first Pac-12 win of the season. There will be many more to come.
Mark down the date. The Buffs have 16 games between now and the end of next season. The prediction here is that Colorado wins at least half those games. MacIntyre and his staff have worked very hard to get the program at Colorado turned around. The game against UCLA marked a major turning point, and it was one that had to made before the Buffs finally start to see their progress reflected in the final score.
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Seeing the Colorado and UCLA players on field after the game sharing handshakes and hugs was all the proof anyone could ever need to see why Colorado has found the right home in the Pac-12. CU has a huge alumni base in California. Moving forward, since so many of the Buff football players come from the Golden State, it will only help in recruiting the fertile football valleys of California if those young men know that they can return home and play in front of their families and friends, and with and against longtime rivals.
Go Buffs!
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