Big 12 reviews Colorado scoring decision during halftime, gives Zach Atkins first touchdown
Toward the end of the first half between Colorado and Houston, Ryan Staub rattled off a 19-yard scramble and appeared to get to the end zone. However, the ball came out and Zach Atkins nabbed it out of the air – and he got credit for the touchdown.
The Big 12 reviewed the scoring decision during halftime and upheld the call. It was officially a scramble for Staub and a fumble recovery for Atkins, giving him his first touchdown at Colorado. The play cut Houston’s lead to 16-14 with less than a minute to play in the first half.
Atkins is in his first year in Boulder after transferring from Northwest Missouri State this offseason. Now, he has a touchdown to his name as Colorado looked to shake off a sluggish start against Houston.
Colorado got off to a rough start in Friday’s primetime matchup, but later got things going in a big way. Simeon Price found the end zone on a 38-yard run to get the Buffaloes on the board, and Atkins’ fumble recovery on Staub’s scramble gave them another touchdown to tighten things up before halftime.
At the break, Staub had completed 12 of 18 passes for 120 yards while adding 33 rushing yards on the ground. The expectation heading into the game was he’d get the start, though Deion Sanders didn’t confirm that while meeting with reporters this week. Ultimately, Staub got the nod and powered through to help get Colorado back in the game.
Staub emerged last week in Colorado’s victory over Delaware as he threw for 158 yards and two touchdowns on 7-of-10 passing. He drew some high praise from Coach Prime after the game and throughout the week ahead of Friday’s Big 12 opener.
“He did what he was supposed to do,” Sanders said during a Tuesday press conference. “He did what he supposed to do. We did what we were supposed to do last week as a team. We need to do what we’re expected to do this week. Staub did what we expected him to do.
“You all are surprised. We weren’t. We’re thankful, appreciative and happy for him and elated for him. He sees the darn moment. We talk about the moment all the time in our meetings. We talk about taking advantage of opportunities not only on the football field, but in life. And he did that. He did that. I’m proud of him.”
