On key stat from the CU Buffs’ loss to UCLA
Yes, the Colorado Buffaloes lost to the UCLA Bruins at Folsom Field, 45-17. Yes, Karl Dorrell is still the head coach, at least for the time being.
After questions swirled all week long, Dorrell named Owen McCown as the starting quarterback in a surprising move, although he really had no choice after how poorly JT Shrout and Brendon Lewis had played this year.
It wasn’t a very exciting game for the Buffs, but one stat stood out: 309 total yards.
This was easily the best offensive showing of the season for Colorado. For some perspective, here are the Buffs’ yardage totals from each of the previous three games:
TCU: 348 yards
Air Force: 162 yards
Minnesota: 226 yards
Yes, the Buffs had more yards against TCU in the opener, but the offense seemed much better with McCown running the show. Against the Gophers a week prior, the Buffs threw for a grand total of 90 yards in the game, and 52 of those were courtesy of Owen McCown.
On Saturday against UCLA, McCown looked every bit like a starting QB. He went 26-of-42 for 258 yards with a touchdown, a pick and a QB rating of 116.6.
He also added a rushing score, and this was the first game all year in which Colorado scored multiple touchdowns.
Owen McCown with his first career rushing TD!
pic.twitter.com/uEbzMUVE11— Bet The Pigskin (@betthepigskin) September 24, 2022
Again, it wasn’t a close game, but McCown playing better than both Lewis and Shrout is a massive surprise, and this could be the only thing that keeps Dorrell around for the rest of the season.
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