Colorado vs. Nebraska score, takeaways: Cornhuskers use big lead to smother Buffaloes in revenge game

A pick six and oppressive run defense helped Nebraska put its foot down on its former Big 12 rival

Nebraska used a monstrous defensive performance to swallow Colorado 28-10 and get revenge on the Buffaloes for their 2023 victory. Colorado finished with 16 yards rushing as Nebraska put the game away early and coasted to a big win. 

The first half was a house of horrors for Colorado as the Cornhuskers easily built up a 28-0 halftime lead, including a pick six on a dreadful pass to the edge by quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The Buffaloes failed to score any points until 10:38 in the third quarter and didn't get into the end zone until garbage time with 8:45 left in the game. 

Nebraska freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola was clean in his first start against a power-conference opponent, completing 23 of 30 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown. The Cornhuskers were balanced with 30 pass attempts and 32 rush attempts. 

The defense was even better, holding Sanders to 244 yards passing on 38 pass attempts with the pick six. CU's running backs combined for just 36 total yards, and Colorado surrendered five sacks against the powerful Cornhuskers front. 

Nebraska running back Dante Dowdell emerged as the top option for the Cornhuskers with 94 yards and two touchdowns. Raiola spread the wealth to seven different receivers but found running back Rahmir Johnson eight times with a touchdown. Colorado superstar Travis Hunter had 10 catches for 110 yards, but no other Colorado player had more than 59 yards of offense. 

CBS Sports was here with live updates, highlights and analysis from the game. Read on below for takeaways. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 11:15 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Exorcising demons

Amazingly, Nebraska was winless against Colorado in three matchups since the pair left the Big 12 in 2010. The last was a total disaster against the Buffaloes in Week 2 of the 2023 season, the only multi-score win that Colorado earned all season. 

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule preaches complementary football, and this was a perfect vision of it. The Cornhuskers ran the ball 35 times and passed 30 times. The defense held Colorado to 4 of 14 on third down and 4.2 yards per play. It was a complete team performance. 

On Saturday, Nebraska lived up to the hype in every way. Its performance was less encouraging and more dominant. This is the vision of what Rhule wants his teams to look like. With a manageable schedule ahead, the season is suddenly wide open in Lincoln. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 11:13 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Colorado's trenches are a disaster

The Buffaloes looked to the transfer portal to completely revamp a struggling offensive line and inconsistent defensive unit. If Week 2 is to be believed, Colorado's issues are just as bad as a season ago. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders was sacked five times and the Buffaloes were held to minimal rushing yards. 

When Colorado struggled last year, Deion Sanders claimed that fixing it required a whole new offensive line room. The Buffaloes essentially did it, returning only one player with any starts in a Colorado uniform. If the unit continues to be among the worst in college football, it's hard to see how Colorado even has a realistic shot at a bowl game. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 11:13 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Raiola handled the moment

All eyes were on Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola, the superstar freshman who ranked as the top quarterback recruit in program history. While Raiola didn't play a spectacular game, he provided something even more important: consistency. 

Raiola completed 21 of 28 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown. He had a big run on third down to set up a score and did not record a turnover. Last year, Jeff Sims turned the ball over four times to set up multiple Colorado scores in a loss. Raiola's poise in the moment is critical as Nebraska tries to break out of its close-game disasters in Matt Rhule's second season. 

While Sanders finished with more stats, Raiola was far more efficient and did not turn the ball over. Once Raiola won that matchup, the game was over. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 11:09 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Nebraska with a statement 

FINAL: Nebraska 28, Colorado 10

That's all she wrote from Lincoln. Nebraska improved to 2-0 with a statement win over Colorado less than a year after falling to Deion Sanders' squad in Boulder. Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola completed 23 of his 30 attempts for 185 yards and a touchdown in his second career start, and the defense stood tall against a potent Colorado offense. Nebraska sacked Shedeur Sanders five times, and Colorado finished with 16 team rushing yards in the loss. Nebraska running back Dante Dowdell finished with 74 yards and two touchdowns on 17 attempts.

Colorado will travel to Fort Collins to face in-state rival Colorado State next weekend on CBS, while Nebraska hosts Northern Iowa.

[Sep 7, 2024 at 10:40 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Colorado scores

MID 4Q: Nebraska 28, Colorado 10

Colorado isn't done yet. The Buffaloes just completed their best drive of the night, which was capped with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Sanders to LaJohntay Wester. Nebraska LB Mikai Gbayor was ejected for targeting on that drive and will have to sit out the first half of the next game against Northern Iowa.

[Sep 7, 2024 at 10:29 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Colorado gets the stop

Early 4Q: Nebraska 28, Colorado 3

Nebraska's drive stalled out after forcing a turnover on downs. Colorado blocked Nebraska's punt and will take over at their own 42-yard line with 10:49 to play. Colorado is going to have to work quickly to erase a 25-point deficit.

[Sep 7, 2024 at 10:23 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Colorado can't convert 

Early 4Q: Nebraska 28, Colorado 3

Colorado elected to go for it on fourth-and-short and Nebraska got the stop. The Huskers will take over at Colorado's 28-yard line. Colorado has 196 yards of total offense, while Nebraska has 307.

[Sep 7, 2024 at 10:17 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Cornhuskers remain in control

End 3Q: Nebraska 28, Colorado 3

Nebraska was perfectly content to chew clock in the third quarter without taking too many chances as the Cornhuskers take a 25-point lead to the fourth quarter. The Cornhuskers were forced into two punts and could face another to start the fourth quarter, but Colorado has generated almost no consistent offense. Nebraska has 307 yards to 188 for Colorado, and the Buffaloes are still posting negative rushing yardage. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 10:06 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Defenses trading punches

The matchup has slowly started to wind down as both defenses are settling down. Three of the four drives to start the second half have ended in punts, with another finishing with a Colorado field goal. Nebraska is perfectly content to chew clock and grind this game to a halt with a 25-point lead. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 9:47 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Nebraska stiffens in red zone

3Q: Nebraska 28, Colorado 3

Colorado had a solid start to the second half, forcing a three-and-out and driving into the red zone. Again, the Buffaloes wasted the opportunity. Shedeur Sanders missed on two passes and a completion to LaJohntay Wester was dragged down for a loss. Colorado at least got the ball through the uprights this time, but the Buffaloes won't get many better opportunities. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 9:35 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Shilo Sanders ruled out with arm injury

Shilo Sanders injury: Colorado DB leaves game vs. Nebraska with possible broken forearm

Shehan Jeyarajah

Shilo Sanders injury: Colorado DB leaves game vs. Nebraska with possible broken forearm

[Sep 7, 2024 at 9:10 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Nebraska takes miracle TD into halftime

Late 2Q: Nebraska 28, Colorado 0

When it rains, it pours, and Colorado is experiencing a downpour. Buffaloes linebacker LaVonta Bentley had a clean look at an interception, but the ball bounced off his hands and into the hands of Rahmir Johnson for an 18-yard touchdown. The score was the first passing touchdown for Raiola against the Buffs. To make matters worse for Colorado, Nebraska gets the ball back after halftime. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 8:52 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Colorado wastes opportunity

2Q: Nebraska 21, Colorado 0

The Buffaloes had a nightmare start, but Shedeur Sanders realized where he needed to go. Sanders completed three passes to superstar Travis Hunter for 43 yards to get the Buffaloes into the red zone. However, Sanders failed to give Hunter a chance at the end zone and the Buffs missed a short field goal to stay stuck at zero. 

Colorado mustered only 3.4 plays per drive on their first five attempts, but managed to reach nine plays on the wasted drive. It was the first time Colorado reached Nebraska territory since Jimmy Horn Jr. had a 61-yard return to start CU in Nebraska territory. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 8:38 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Colorado D can't get off field

2Q: Nebraska 21, Colorado 0

Colorado has strung together a few solid defensive plays, but mistakes and letdowns have kept the Nebraska offense on the field. The Buffaloes allowed two first down runs to Dante Dowdell and allowed another when Colorado was called for a hands-to-the-face penalty. 

Nebraska was able to convert the opportunities as quarterback Dylan Raiola launched a 36-yard pass to get the Cornhuskers to the edge of the end zone. Dowdell pushed forward for another touchdown to give the Cornhuskers a massive 21-0 lead in the second quarter. This game is already reaching blowout territory. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 8:22 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Nebraska dominates first quarter

Early 2Q: Nebraska 14, Colorado 0

The Cornhuskers dominated Colorado in every aspect in a complete reversal of the last time these two teams met. Nebraska posted 103 yards to minus-2 for Colorado, sacked Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders three times and held the ball for more than 10 minutes in the quarter. A poorly-placed pick-six from Sanders at the one-yard line only made things worse. 

Colorado got a break to start the second quarter as Nebraska missed a field goal. Getting points out of this opportunity is critical. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 8:13 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Shilo Sanders goes out

Colorado safety Shilo Sanders left the field and went into the locker room after an unidentified issue, according to the NBC broadcast. He is probable to return for the Buffaloes. Sanders has two tackles in the first quarter against Nebraska and is a key leader of the secondary. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 8:05 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Sanders whiffs for pick-six

1Q: Nebraska 14, Colorado 0

Colorado finally got a stop on Nebraska's offense, but a huge mistake from quarterback Shedeur Sanders put the Buffs into a bigger hole. Facing first-and-10 from his own one-yard line, Sanders threw a floater to the edge that was easily picked off and returned for a touchdown by Tommi Hill. The poor decision makes a bad situation even worse for Colorado. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 7:52 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Horn gives Colorado much-needed energy

Colorado kick returner Jimmy Horn Jr. was stopped before the 25-yard line on his first return, but Horn exploded for a 61-yard return to get into Nebraska territory and give the Buffaloes their first positive play of the game. On the second play, Horn fought through multiple defenders to get back to the original line of scrimmage after a sack. 

The Buffaloes were stopped for a turnover-on-downs, but Horn showed a level of fight that the rest of the roster hasn't matched yet. Colorado looks shellshocked. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 7:47 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Nebraska imposes will early

1Q: Nebraska 7, Colorado 0

Nebraska made it look easy on its first drive, especially in the running game. Quarterback Dylan Raiola converted a key third down with his legs early in the drive to help set up a 12-yard touchdown run by Dante Dowdell. Nebraska is averaging 9.8 yards per carry against the Buffaloes and running right into the teeth of the revamped defensive front. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 7:39 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Buffs overwhelmed on first possession

Nebraska couldn't have scripted the first Colorado drive much better. The Buffaloes tried to test the edges, but a tipped ball and a drop from receiver LaJohntay Webster killed any momentum. Nebraska got home for its first sack against a struggling Colorado offensive line. Nebraska gets the ball with great field position. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 7:36 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Colorado gets first crack

Nebraska won the coin toss and opted to defer to the second half. That means that Colorado gets to start with the ball this year. Last season, Nebraska fumbled on the first possession of the game, which set the tone in a Colorado victory. Setting an early tone will be even more important in what is sure to be one of the most-watched games of Week 2. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 7:10 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Game prediction

Last season, Nebraska turned the ball over on three of its first six possessions to spot Colorado a 13-0 lead from which it could never recover. This year, the Cornhuskers are miles better in nearly every aspect. If Raiola can play a clean game, Nebraska has the pieces up front to make life difficult for Colorado and ultimately escape Lincoln with a decisive victory. Pick: Nebraska -7

[Sep 7, 2024 at 6:50 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Rematch from last season

The last two teams these teams played, Colorado had its way with the Cornhuskers. The Buffaloes forced four turnovers off primarily Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims to pull away for a 36-14 victory. Sanders was sensational with 393 yards and two touchdowns, despite Colorado getting held to 1.8 yards per carry. Turnovers will be a major part of the story this week as the Cornhuskers try to exorcise some demons in close games. 

[Sep 7, 2024 at 6:28 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Star QB matchup

Two of the most intriguing quarterbacks in the sport vie on Saturday. Colorado's Shedeur Sanders kept his historic pace alive with 445 yards and four touchdowns in a tight 31-26 win over North Dakota State. Over the past two seasons, Sanders has completed nearly 70% of his passes for 3,675 yards, 31 touchdowns and four interceptions in 12 games with the Buffs. 

On the other sideline, Nebraska freshman Dylan Raiola starts his first ever game against a power conference opponent. The five-star recruit threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns against UTEP, but faces a much more difficult test on Saturday.