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AllBuffs.com - Covering CU-Boulder Athletics

CU At The Game: Big 12 Notes

Television ratings: ABC dominates college football; CU dominates the Big 12 ... How did former Buffs fare in 2024 at their new schools? ...

Stuart
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Ralphie Report: Buffaloes give #3 Iowa State scare in Boulder

NCAA Basketball: Iowa State at Colorado

Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The Buffs are getting better.

It may not count for anything in the win column, but the Buffaloes gave the third-ranked Iowa Cyclones a scare in Boulder on Monday night to open Big 12 play.

The Buffs and ‘Clones faced off one month ago in Maui, which didn’t end well for Colorado, when ISU handed Colorado their second loss of the season via a decisive 99-71 thumping. This time, in the Buffaloes’ house, Colorado wasn’t going to let that happen again.

Tad Boyle had the Buffs ready to go, as they played stereotypical Colorado basketball, forcing turnovers and working the defensive boards. Those turnovers allowed the Buffs to keep Iowa State in check early, but they still needed to score against the Cyclones’ suffocating defense.

That’s where Julian Hammond and RJ Smith come in. Just when Iowa State seemed to snag a bit of momentum. Colorado’s new-found spectacular scoring tandem almost singlehandedly kept the Buffs on pace with ISU, combining for 20 points and shooting 61% (8-13) from the field in the first half.

Both teams went shot for shot throughout the first, as no team built up a lead larger than six points throughout the first 20 minutes of play with a whopping eight lead changes. Colorado went into halftime down 37-31, only six points and 20 minutes short of dethroning the Big 12 favorites at home.

The second half got off to a rocky start for the Buffs allowing ISU to build their lead to 12 points via four quick Dishon Jackson points. With their backs against the wall, the Buffs turned to RJ Smith, who drilled back-to-back three-point jumpers to get his squad back into their groove.

Two more Colorado threes by Hammond and Sebastian Rancik, along with a nice slam by Elijah Malone, cut Iowa State’s lead to only one point with 14:37 to play. After a Josuah Jefferson layup to extend ISU’s lead to three, Colorado ripped off an 8-0 run, with four points by Trevor Baskin, to take a 53-48 lead.

CU and the ‘Clones continued to go shot-for-shot for the next five minutes of the clock, with an Assane Diop layup giving Colorado a 57-56 lead with 9:17 left to play. Unfortunately, that would be the Buffaloes’ final lead of the night.

Colorado never left the game out of their grasp, pulling within one point with 4:49 to play, but clutch buckets from ISU’s Tamin Lipsey and free throws by Curtis Jones would ice the game for the Cyclones. The Buffaloes would fall by a final score of 79-69.

Iowa State won because they are the better, deeper team, but that doesn’t mean what Colorado did on Monday night was any less impressive. The Buffs went toe-to-toe with the third-best squad and the nation and gave them a legitimate scare, showing just how much they’ve improved since their loss to the ‘Clones in Maui.

Julian Hammond finished the contest with a game-high 21 points, while RJ Smith lagged slightly behind him with 14. Both Sebastian Rancik and Bangot Dak showed up defensively, finishing with two blocks and a steal each. Elijah Malone would clock out with three steals of his own.

This Iowa State game doesn’t count as a win, but it certainly counts as progress. CU will look to build off that progress and momentum when they travel to Tempe to take on the Bobby Hurley-led Sun Devils this Saturday, January 4th, at 4:00 pm MT.

by RylandScholes
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Ralphie Report: Buffaloes center Hank Zilinskas enters transfer portal

Colorado v Arizona

Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images

Colorado’s former center is looking for a new home

Colorado Buffaloes center Hank Zilinskas has entered the transfer portal following CU’s loss to BYU in the Alamo Bowl last Saturday.

Zilinskas, who came to Boulder in 2023 from Cherry Creek High School in Denver, played a large role for Colorado in the offensive trenches in 2024. After winning the starting center role in spring ball, Zilinskas would start for CU in their first nine games.

In those nine games, Zilinskas showed promise, but ball security and botched snaps were an issue. Things compounded in the first half of Colorado’s game against Texas Tech in Lubbock, where Zilinskas botched multiple snaps and was replaced by walk-on true freshman Cash Cleveland. Cleveland would go on to start at center for the Buffaloes’ remaining three games.

It’s no secret that Deion Sanders and Colorado’s staff intend to stick with Cleveland in the starting role going forward in 2025, so it should come as no surprise that Zilinskas has made the choice to move on from Colorado and take his talents elsewhere.

Zilinskas has been nothing but a great teammate and hard worker in his two years in Boulder, as attested by fellow Buffs offensive lineman Tyler Brown.


Wishing bad on Hank who gave his all day in and day out with a positive attitude is weird and you won’t win in life that way! Wherever Hank goes they are getting a great ball player but an even better human being! Love you brother GO BE GREAT‼️ https://t.co/MpY8gL4yyj

— Tyler Brown (@t_brown56) December 31, 2024

Best of luck wherever you land, Hank!

by RylandScholes
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Ralphie Report: Breakdown: Buffs exposed by BYU in Alamo Bowl loss

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: DEC 28 Valero Alamo Bowl - BYU vs Colorado

Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Buffs final game of the season didn’t go to plan...

Recap​


This past Saturday, the Buffs traveled to San Antonio to compete in the Alamo Bowl, hoping to cap off their impressive season with a 10th win. Unfortunately, it became a forgettable outing, as BYU seized control early and never let go. The Cougars relied on trick plays, onside kicks, and solid execution to build a three-possession lead before the Buffs could find their footing. Colorado’s well-documented struggles with playing from behind were on full display, as their shaky run defense and inability to generate consistent offense without an established ground game doomed them. BYU emerged victorious with a decisive 36-14 win, leaving Buffs fans disappointed and reflective on what could have been.

Offensively​

What Went Right?​


The lone bright spot for the Buffaloes’ offense was Travis Hunter. The Heisman Trophy winner showed why he’s considered the best player in college football, hauling in a few big catches, including a highlight-reel touchdown. Hunter’s exceptional playmaking ability and knack for finding space were evident, even in an otherwise lackluster team performance.


SHEDEUR TO TRAVIS HUNTER FOR AN UNREAL TOUCHDOWN TO PUT COLORADO ON THE BOARD pic.twitter.com/xXC8DW5JxZ

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 29, 2024

Aside from Hunter’s contributions, there were moments in the game's latter stages when Shedeur Sanders found some rhythm and delivered solid throws. However, these efforts came too late, with the game already out of reach.

What Went Wrong?

The issues plaguing Colorado’s offense were glaring, and many were familiar problems that persisted throughout the season. The offensive line struggled mightily, failing to protect Shedeur Sanders or establish any semblance of a run game. This left Sanders under constant pressure, often forcing him to abandon chain-moving throws in favor of looking for the big play downfield—an option that was rarely available.

The Buffs’ inability to establish the run game early compounded their issues. BYU’s defensive line dominated at the point of attack, routinely breaking through to disrupt plays in the backfield. The lack of offensive rhythm was palpable, and as the game progressed, the Buffs’ confidence seemed to wane.

Shedeur Sanders, widely regarded as the potential No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft, had one of his worst performances of the season. His decision-making was uncharacteristically poor, with a tendency to force deep throws rather than taking what the defense gave him. While some of this could be attributed to the nature of a “meaningless” bowl game, it highlighted an area of concern that NFL scouts may scrutinize. Despite this, Sanders’ overall body of work should keep him firmly in the top-five discussion, though he may have lost ground in the race for the first overall pick.

Defensively​

What Went Right?​


The defense had its moments despite the lopsided final score. Colorado’s secondary showed flashes of brilliance, with players like Shilo Sanders, Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig, and DJ McKinney stepping up to make big plays. Even when some of these plays were nullified by penalties, their ability to give the offense additional opportunities was commendable.

This group’s resilience was evident as they consistently found ways to disrupt BYU’s rhythm in the passing game. Their ability to generate turnovers and force tough throws kept Colorado within striking distance, at least for a portion of the game.

What Went Wrong?​


Unfortunately, the defense’s weaknesses were starkly exposed, much like in their loss to Kansas. BYU’s offense leaned heavily on misdirection, power running, and quarterback scrambles—all of which proved effective against Colorado’s defensive unit. The Cougars’ rushing attack, led by LJ Martin, consistently broke through the first line of defense, chewing up yardage and keeping the Buffs’ defense on the field for long stretches.

Colorado’s inability to stop the run was particularly glaring. BYU exploited gaps at all three levels of the defense, and the Buffs’ tackling left much to be desired. The absence of a few key players certainly didn’t help, but these same issues plagued the team even when they were at full strength. Ultimately, the defense’s struggles were exacerbated by the offense’s inability to sustain drives, leaving them gassed as the game wore on.

Outlook​


As painful as this loss may be, it’s important to remember the strides this team has made under Deion Sanders. While this season didn’t end with a conference championship or playoff berth, it marked a significant step forward for the program. For many Buffs fans, this was the most exciting season in years, and the foundation for long-term success is firmly in place.

That said, the reality is bittersweet. For many of the players who defined this season, this was their last game in a Colorado uniform. Seeing stars like Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter depart for the NFL will undoubtedly leave a void, but it’s also a testament to the talent and momentum Coach Prime has brought to Boulder.

Looking ahead, the Buffs will need to focus on addressing their weaknesses—particularly in the trenches. Improved offensive line play and a more consistent run defense will be essential for the program to take the next step and compete for championships.

In the coming weeks, fans can expect plenty of news as transfer signings and recruiting efforts ramp up. With Deion Sanders at the helm, there’s no doubt the Buffs will continue to attract top-tier talent. While this loss may sting, it’s only a chapter in a much larger story of Colorado’s resurgence.

Thank you for following along with these breakdowns and recaps all season long. The future remains bright for the Buffs, and we’ll be here to cover every step of the journey. Sko Buffs!

by Jacob.Thompson
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Ralphie Report: Two key position coaches leave Colorado for the SEC

NCAA Football: Colorado at Arizona

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Phil Loadholt and Vincent Dancy are headed to Starkville

Less than 24 hours after Colorado’s blowout loss in the Alamo Bowl to the BYU Cougars, the coaching shuffle has officially begun. Two position coaches will be departing CU’s staff to head down south and coach in the SEC, according to CBS and 247 Sports’ Matt Zenitz.

Zenitz reports that Buffaloes offensive line coach Phil Loadholt and defensive ends coach Phil Loadholt will be leaving Boulder for Starkville after taking jobs to join Jeff Lebby’s staff at Mississippi State.

Loadholt grew up in Colorado and played his high school ball at Fountain-Fort Carson, where he originally committed to play for the Buffaloes before flipping his commitment to Oklahoma. After a successful playing career and a six-year NFL stint with the Minnesota Vikings, injuries forced Loadholt to retire and into coaching.

Loadholt would eventually return to his alma mater as an offensive analyst in 2022, staying with the Sooners for two seasons. He’d be poached by Deion Sanders and Colorado in early 2024 and offered his first position coaching job as CU’s offensive line coach, where he excelled in Boulder as a recruiter. Loadholt was instrumental in bringing five-star offensive lineman Jordan Seaton to Colorado and creating a recruiting pipeline to the prestigious IMG Academy, which is widely regarded as one of the best talent developing high school programs in the country.

After one season with Sanders and the Buffs, Loadholt will leave his post. Loadholt has previously worked with the MSU head coach, as Lebby was Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator during Loadholt’s time in Norman. Loadholt is expected to retain his same position with the Bulldogs.

CU defensive ends coach Vincent Dancy will be joining Loadholt in Starkville, taking a job to work with the Bulldogs’ edge rushers.

Dancy first joined forces with Coach Prime in Boulder in 2023, taking a job as defensive quality control coach for the Buffaloes. After being promoted to defensive ends coach in 2024, Dancy is now on the move.

Sanders alluded to the fact that there would be staff changes in his postgame presser after the Alamo Bowl, but the dominos are falling quickly. Coach Prime and the Buffaloes now have some holes in the staff to plug. We’ll keep you updated moving forward here at Ralphie Report as soon as any news breaks.

by RylandScholes
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