Denver, CO (Sports Network) – Tyler Hansen passed for 192 yards and two scores, as the Colorado Buffaloes took care of the Colorado State Rams, 24-3, in a Rocky Mountain showdown at Invesco Field.
Hansen made good on 17-of-25 throws and added a touchdown on the ground for the Buffaloes (1-0), who are hoping to rebound from last year’s 3-9 performance. Scotty McKnight was his main target, as he finished with six receptions for 78 yards and a score. With the effort, McKnight became the school’s career receptions leader, surpassing Michael Westbrook’s record of 167 catches set from 1991-94.
Freshman Peter Thomas had a rough game under center for the Rams (0-1), as he completed 24-of-33 passes for 196 yards, but with three interceptions. CSU has now dropped 10 games in the row dating back to last season.
The Buffaloes began the scoring with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Hansen to Travon Patterson with just over six minutes left in the opening quarter.
Midway through the second quarter, Hansen extended Colorado’s lead with a 27- yard scoring strike to McKnight.
An Aric Goodman 28-yard field goal just over four minutes later gave the Buffaloes at 17-0 advantage at the intermission.
The lone score of the third quarter came from Hansen, who plunged one yard to paydirt.
Ben DeLine got CSU on the board with a 43-yard field goal with just under 10 minutes left in the game, but the Rams wouldn’t be heard from again.
The Buffaloes, who improved to 60-20-2 all-time versus the Rams, converted 5- of-13 third downs compared to a 1-of-12 effort by CSU.