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Ralphie Report: Colorado’s comeback falls short against #21 West Virginia

NCAA Basketball: West Virginia at Colorado

Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Colorado couldn’t finish the job.

It was a new game, but still the same old story for the Colorado Buffaloes. Turnovers and a lack of execution down the stretch doomed the Buffs against #21 West Virginia in Boulder on Sunday, despite a valiant comeback effort.

Even with the Mountaineers’ ranked status, with great wins over Gonzaga and Kansas this season, oddsmakers favored the Buffaloes in this matchup. WVU’s injury woes gave the Buffs the chance to knock off one of the better Big 12 squads this season, without star guard Tucker DeVries and Jayden Stone.

From the get-go, the Mountaineers didn’t look like a squad hobbled by injuries, building up a quick lead with good shooting from Javon Small and Jonathan Powell.

The Buffs simply couldn’t keep pace with WVU in the first half, struggling to battle the Mountaineers’ length down low. The Mountaineers fully utilized their length advantage to clog up any lanes below the basket and force CU to take low-percentage shots, finishing shooting 48% on FGs and only 9-15 on layups.

What hurt the Buffaloes the most in the first half was their turnover issues. The turnover bug traveled back to Boulder after CU’s heartbreaking loss to Orlando last Wednesday and was in full force at The Keg on Sunday. Colorado had 11 turnovers in the first half against WVU, resulting in 12 easy Mountaineer points. A lot of those turnovers were ugly too, with multiple passes heaved out of bounds or right to WVU players due to a lack of communication.

Those 12 points off turnovers turned into the difference in the first half, as the Buffaloes headed into halftime down 40-29, looking to regroup and win their first Big 12 game of the season.

The start of the second half didn’t look promising for Colorado, as the WVU’s Javon Small hit back-to-back-to-back stepback three-pointers over CU defenders to get his team going. Small, who has firmly established himself as Big 12’s leading scorer and potential conference player of the year, extended the Mountaineers’ lead to 14.

As for the non-Small Mountaineers, things were a different story. WVU’s signature “Press Virginia” defense proved to backfire, as the Mountaineers were committing a foul on seemingly every CU possession. Due to WVU’s rampant fouling, Colorado reached the bonus with 13 minutes left to play in the game.

Colorado’s defense clamped down, smothering WVU and giving them no space to work. As soon as Colorado reached the bonus, the Mountaineers bricked five consecutive shots and made only one shot in a six-minute span.

On the offensive floor, Colorado began to find their rhythm. Granted, that was because of WVU’s insistence on fouling anything or anyone with a pulse, but Colorado still capitalized. The Mountaineers committed 17 fouls in the second half, with Colorado making 24 of their 28 shots from the line.

Elite defense and free-throw shooting put Colorado back into the game, pulling within two points of West Virginia five times in the second half, but ultimately couldn’t close things out. On each of those five occasions, WVU would draw a foul or hit a big shot, as Colorado never even tied the game in the second half, let alone take the lead.

Colorado had plenty of opportunities to win this game. WVU’s sloppy second-half play was practically begging for the Buffs to steal the win, but CU couldn’t dig themselves out of their turnover hole. After the 78-70 loss to the Mountaineers, Colorado now falls to 0-4 in Big 12 play.

Julian Hammond once again was Colorado’s best player, finishing the contest with 23 points and four rebounds, shooting 8-8 on FTs. This was Hammond’s second straight 20+ point game, as he finished with 26 on Wednesday in Orlando. Assane Diop also played a pivotal role in Colorado’s comeback attempt, tallying 13 points and five boards.

West Virginia’s Javon Small stole the show, finishing with 26 points, four three-pointers, four boards, seven assists, a block and a steal.

The bad news doesn’t end at the final score for Colorado either, as two Buffaloes starters were injured in the second half against WVU. Center Elijah Malone tweaked his back, while guard RJ Smith “wasn’t feeling himself” according to coach Tad Boyle. Malone and Smith’s status is unclear for CU’s upcoming game against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Wednesday.

Both the Buffs and Bearcats are 0-4 in Big 12 play, meaning that Wednesday’s matchup will be a battle of two desperate squads. It’ll be a scrappy showdown, so we’ll have to see if this Colorado team has what it takes to respond in the face of adversity.

by RylandScholes
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Ralphie Report: College Football Playoff - Semi-final recap and what’s next

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic - Ohio State v Texas

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

Recapping the wild semi-final round of the 2024 college football playoff

The last couple of days brought us the College Football Playoff semi-finals, and what a round it was. Both games were absolute nail-biters, with one being decided by a late field goal and the other tied well into the fourth quarter. Now that the dust has settled, we officially know who will face off in the 2024 National Championship. Let’s recap these two thrilling games:

Orange Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Penn State​


This game started out slow, with neither team putting points on the board in the first quarter. It was a defensive slugfest early on, and at halftime, Penn State clung to a narrow 10-3 lead. By the end of the third quarter, the score was knotted up at 10-10, setting the stage for a dramatic final period. If you’re only planning to watch the highlights of this game, skip straight to the fourth quarter—this is where all the action happened.

In the first half, Penn State’s defense was the story. They stifled Notre Dame’s attempts to establish any rhythm, while tight end Tyler Warren helped the Nittany Lions score 10 points. However, the tide turned dramatically in the second half, with Notre Dame’s offense finding its groove. Riley Leonard, the Irish’s steady quarterback, led the charge, spreading the ball around effectively and showcasing the team’s depth. But it was star running back Jeremiyah Love who stole the show, pounding the Penn State defense and leading the way to sustained drives.

Notre Dame scored an impressive 27 points in the second half after being completely shut out in the first. The key difference in this game, however, was quarterback play. Penn State’s Drew Allar struggled mightily, completing just over 50% of his passes and throwing one interception (although it could have been three or four if not for some fortunate penalties). In contrast, Leonard wasn’t perfect, but he made clutch throws downfield, something Penn State could never quite manage.

Notre Dame’s resilience and second-half adjustments proved too much for Penn State, and they earned their spot in the National Championship with a final score of 27-24.

Cotton Bowl: Ohio State vs. Texas​


This matchup featured two teams trending in very different directions. Ohio State has been steamrolling their competition in recent weeks, while Texas has struggled against weaker opponents. The Buckeyes came into the game as touchdown favorites, and the betting public clearly believed in them, with 82% of the money riding on Ohio State. They delivered, showing why they were the team to beat.

Ohio State boasts an embarrassment of riches in terms of talent, with at least six future NFL players on their roster. Key playmakers like safety Caleb Downs, defensive end Jack Sawyer, and running back TreVeyon Henderson all stepped up in big moments. Although Jeremiah Smith, their top offensive weapon, was relatively quiet, the Buckeyes still found ways to exploit Texas.

The game was tightly contested for most of the night. Texas showed resilience, rallying from a double-digit deficit to bring the game within striking distance late in the fourth quarter. With the clock winding down, the Longhorns seemed poised to force overtime, driving deep into Ohio State territory. But when it mattered most, Ohio State’s defense came through.

Jack Sawyer, the Buckeyes’ premier pass rusher, delivered the play of the game—and perhaps the season. With Texas threatening to score, Sawyer broke through the line, sacked the quarterback, and scooped up the ensuing fumble, returning it for a touchdown. This scoop-and-score sealed the victory for Ohio State, sending their fans into a frenzy and etching Sawyer’s name into Buckeye lore.

Ohio State’s dominant 28-14 win now sets up an exciting showdown in the Cotton Bowl against Notre Dame.

Looking Ahead​


With the semi-finals in the books, all eyes now turn to the 2024 National Championship. Notre Dame and Ohio State will face off in what promises to be a clash of titans. Both teams have showcased their strengths in different ways: Notre Dame with their adaptability and second-half heroics, and Ohio State with their overwhelming talent and defensive dominance.

The National Championship game is set for January 20th, and it’s shaping up to be one for the ages. Be sure to tune in as these two storied programs battle it out for college football’s ultimate prize.

by Jacob.Thompson
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CU At The Game: Remembering Coach Mac

Coach Mac retired 30 years ago as CU's winningest coach, with a national title and a Heisman trophy winner ... Tweets from former players and coaches ... Links to some of the most significant games of the Coach Mac era ...

Stuart
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Ralphie Report: Colorado legend Bill McCartney dies after long illness

Colorado v Oklahoma

Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

McCartney was 84.

Bill McCartney, the greatest football coach in Colorado Buffaloes history, has died.

McCartney was diagnosed with dementia in 2016 and fought bravely for over eight years before succumbing to the illness. He was 84 years old.

The legendary coach’s resume speaks for itself. Three-time Big 8 Coach of the Year and 1989 National Coach of the Year. 11 consensus All-Americans and one Heisman winner. 93 wins in 13 years, including 66 wins in his last seven seasons. 1990 National Champion. College Football Hall of Fame.

McCartney rebuilt Colorado football from the ground up. The program was reduced to ashes when he got there, thanks to Chuck Fairbank’s disastrous tenure. It took him awhile as he won just six games in his first three seasons at the helm. But once he started winning, he never stopped.

McCartney build his success on the wishbone offense, first helmed to perfection by the charismatic Sal Aunese. Sadly, however, Aunese was diagnosed with stomach cancer and died from his illness during the 1989 season. The Buffs were inspired by his battle and played every game like their last, winning 11 straight before ultimately falling to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl.

Colorado entered the 1990 season on a mission. Darian Hagan and Eric Bieniemy were electric behind a dominant offensive line, while the defense was stacked with future pros like Alfred Williams and Kanavis McGhee. The Buffs survived their schedule, not without a scratch here or there, and ultimately clipped the Irish to claim their share of the 1990 National Championship.

That remains Colorado only title in school history, yet McCartney came close in 1994. Powered by Kordell Stewart, Michael Westbrook and Heisman winner Rashaan Salaam, the Buffs had everything, even luck, as they upset Michigan on a miraculous last-second heave. But as good as the Buffs were — probably the best CU team ever — they couldn’t get past Nebraska, a heated rivalry McCartney willed into existence.

That was McCartney’s final season. He retired at age 54 to focus on the Promise Keepers, an Evangelical non-profit he founded in 1990. He remained in Boulder for the next 30 years, staying active through his church and contributing to a football program that was never the same after he left.

by Sam Metivier
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Ralphie Report: Illinois OL Zy Crisler commits to Colorado

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 20 Illinois at Nebraska

Photo by Nathanial George/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

In the dead of Wednesday night, the Colorado Buffaloes got significantly better.

How’d they get better, you ask? They got a massive commitment from former Illinois offensive lineman Zy Crisler. Crisler announced his commitment to the Buffs around 10:00 pm on Wednesday, flying under the radar for many CU fans.


Former Illinois offensive lineman Zy Crisler has committed to Colorado, he tells ESPN. Crisler has started for three seasons on the offensive line at Illinois. pic.twitter.com/8QoSrRhrL4

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 9, 2025

Crisler’s commitment instantly becomes one of the biggest (figuratively and literally) transfer portal additions for Colorado thus far. In three seasons with the Fighting Illini, Crisler started in 30 games and has been one of the best offensive linemen in the Big Ten since arriving in Champaign. In 2023, Crisler was named to the All-Big Ten honorable mention at OL.

The 6-foot-7, 350-pound lineman instantly becomes one of the largest Buffaloes on the team and is a force to be reckoned with. Crisler has demonstrated his ability to shift between tackle and guard during his time with Illinois, with his versatility making him a huge asset on Colorado’s restructured offensive line. Crisler will come to Boulder as a frontrunner to start at right tackle for the Buffs in 2025.

Crisler is a beneficiary of the recent Diego Pavia ruling, which granted former juco players an extra year of eligibility. Crisler started his career at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, granting him one final year to play college ball.

Welcome to Boulder, Zy!

by RylandScholes
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