Colorado Buffaloes Miss an Opportunity in Lincoln

The Colorado Buffaloes showed up in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Saturday as a 17-point underdog. They had nothing to lose and everything to gain by winning but fell short in the end.

They were outmatched by a powerful offensive line from Nebraska that was blowing the Buffs' defensive line off the ball on almost every snap. All of that being said, the Buffs still had a chance to beat Nebraska at the end of the game.

And wins for Colorado in Lincoln don't come easy.

Given the chance to beat the Cornhuskers in Lincoln is a rare accomplishment for Colorado and one they gave away on Saturday. They pulled off a great special teams play at the end of the first half by running back a fake field goal play for a touchdown. That highlight will be shown for years to come on television and at many sports venues.

As the game neared the end, Nebraska was trailing 31-30 with about a minute left in the game. They faced a 4th-and-25 from the Buffs 40-yard line.

Calling a time out, they decided to kick a 57-yard field goal, and by some amazing miracle, they made it. Why Coach Hawkins did not call a timeout and make the kicker think about it is unknown, but even with a minute left, the Buffs still had a chance to win the game. 

However, Cody Hawkins had his pass batted up in the air by a defensive lineman and it was intercepted and run in for a touchdown.

It was a missed opportunity for Colorado, who could have gone to a bowl game with a win. For most Buffs fans, though, the bowl game was secondary, because beating Nebraska would have been the best Thanksgiving gift that anyone could have asked for, especially after a disappointing season.

Their next opportunity for beating the Cornhuskers will come again next year on the day after Thanksgiving. Let's hope the outcome is different.