Lamb, defense help Colorado hold off UW Huskies 20-17
Nov 20, 2021, 3:58 PM
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) – Jack Lamb returned a fumble 88 yards for a touchdown, one of four turnovers created by Colorado, and the defense sealed the game with a fourth-down stop as the Buffaloes held on for a 20-17 win over the UW Huskies on Saturday.
Colorado 20, UW Huskies 17: Box Score
88yd. scoop and score by @JackLamb_ ‼️
📺 Pac-12 Network
📱 https://t.co/TtCFXrk6yc pic.twitter.com/xDYdTtNdRC— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) November 20, 2021
The Buffaloes (4-7, 3-5 Pac-12) relied on their bend-don’t-break defense with the offense struggling most of the afternoon. The Buffaloes intercepted two passes by Dylan Morris and forced two fumbles. Linebacker Carson Wells wrapped it up when he hurried Morris into an incompletion on fourth down. It gave the Buffs the ball back on downs to run out the clock.
Colorado was outgained by a 426-183 margin, converted 2 of 14 third-down opportunities and saw Washington dominate time of possession. But the defense came up with repeated big plays.
The UW Huskies (4-7, 3-5) are assured of their first losing season since 2009. It’s been a tumultuous week for the team with head coach Jimmy Lake being fired last weekend.
The Buffaloes had the ball at the Washington 7 yard line after recovering a fumble late in the third quarter. They had to settle for Cole Becker’s 22-yard field goal that made it 13-10.
Soon after, Nikko Reed picked off a Morris pass in the end zone to thwart a Huskies drive. Brendon Lewis’s 2-yard dive into the end zone extended the lead to 20-10.
The UW Huskies responded with Ja’Lynn Polk catching a pass, breaking a tackle and racing 55 yards for a score with 2:30 remaining.
Touchdown Dawgs 🔥@D_Morris5 ➡️ Ja'Lynn Polk TD!
📺 @Pac12Network
💻 https://t.co/tjfIKW0NBC pic.twitter.com/vYiqLPcJWz— Washington Football (@UW_Football) November 20, 2021
The big play of the day was turned in by Lamb, who scooped up a fumble after a mishandled snap by Morris and raced 88 yards for the score. It was the third-longest fumble return for a TD in Buffaloes history.
Before the fumble, Washington was 31 for 31 this season in trips inside the red zone. They had 21 TDs and 10 field goals.
Morris briefly gave way to backup Patrick O’Brien, who went in for two series in the first half. O’Brien, a transfer from Colorado State, went three-and-out on both possessions.
Lewis was 14 of 25 for 112 yards as the Buffaloes moved to 2-7 against the UW Huskies since joining the Pac-12 in 2011. That mark includes a loss to Washington in the league’s championship game in 2016.
SENIOR DAY
The Buffaloes honored 12 players in a pregame senior day ceremony, including linebacker Nate Landman who suited up for the festivities but didn’t play due to a shoulder injury. Instead, he wore a headset as he helped fire up the defense. Landman was back out there for the victory formation at the end.
Landman fell to second on the team in total tackles after Quinn Perry’s nine-tackle performance against Washington. Landman’s trying to become the first Colorado player to lead the team in that category for four seasons.
BANGED-UP BUFFS
Colorado receiver Brenden Rice appeared to hurt his left ankle early in the game. … Lamb went into the locker room in second half with what looked like a right shoulder ailment.
UP NEXT
Washington: Finish the season by hosting Washington State on Friday.
Colorado: The Buffs close out the season at Utah on Friday.
Salk: There’s one thing the next UW Huskies football coach has to have
