As Iowa State and Colorado entered Saturday’s Big 12 contest at Jack Trice Stadium, there was little question the key to a Cyclone victory lied in their ability to establish control of the line of scrimmage.

After all, the Cyclones went into the game leading the Big 12 in rushing with 276 yards per game while the Buffalos only averaged 147 rushing yards per game and sported the conference’s worst run defense, yielding just over 196 yards per contest.

However, it was the Buffs’ ground game that took control of the trenches in lifting the Buffalos to a hard fought 16-12 victory.

During the pivotal first half, in which all of the game’s scoring occurred, Colorado outrushed ISU 125-59 behind the hard running of sophomore tailback Cortlen Johnson and a tremendous defensive effort against Cyclone running back Darren Davis. Johnson rushed for 124 of his career-high 185 yards in the first half and the Buffalo defense held Davis to a meager 48 yards on 16 carries.

“It was a good effort by our offense in general to come out and run the football this week,” Colorado offensive guard Ryan Johanningmeier said. “That’s been our goal for the last two games – to come out and improve our running game.”

Colorado head coach Gary Barnett said his team came out ready to run the ball more this week to help freshman quarterback Zac Colvin in his first collegiate start. Colvin was replacing starting Buffalo quarterback Mike Moschetti, who was forced to sit out due to several migraine headaches suffered throughout the week.

“We decided on Sunday we were going to go more with two tight ends and one tight end/one fullback to try and posture ourselves as a better running team,” Barnett said. “We were able to run the ball effectively [and] our offensive line must have done a nice job.”

Colvin said the improved Colorado rushing attack made it a lot easier for him to settle in at quarterback.

“When we established the running game, it kept the pressure off me and opened up the passing game,” Colvin said. “I give all the credit to my offensive line and Cortlen Johnson.”

Johnson, meanwhile, said the credit should go to the Colorado coaching staff.

“You’ve got to give credit to the coaches. They prepared us all week,” he said. “We knew pretty much everything they were going to do offensive-wise and it was just a matter of execution.”

Johnson and the Colorado offense did a perfect job of executing their final drive of the half which proved to be the game’s most important possession.

Trailing 12-10 with 1:14 remaining, Colvin and Johnson directed the Buffalos on a five play, 49-yard scoring drive that was capped off by a six-yard touchdown pass from Colvin to Colorado tight end Daniel Graham.

Johnson ignited the drive with consecutive runs of 20 and 11 yards and totaled 37 of the 49 yards, overall.

“The defense they were playing was right into our hands,” Johnson said. “We usually try to run to start off, and the defense gave me a big hole and I took the crease. They did it again the next play, and then they started keying in on me and that’s when the passing game opened up and we got the touchdown.”

ISU was able to rebound somewhat in the second half, limiting Johnson to 61 yards while Davis racked up 124 yards on 17 carries. But even though Davis finally managed to break through, Colorado contained him when they needed to. The Buffalos held the Cyclone star to runs of two yards or less on 17 of his 33 carries, which was a big factor in keeping ISU out of the end zone throughout the second half.

“I thought our defensive scheme was one, very simple and two, very effective,” Barnett said. “We didn’t worry about the reverse and brought the corner in. I think each time we brought a corner in, he made a big play.”

Davis wound up with 172 yards and the Cyclones did find a way to outrush the Buffalos 195 yards to 180. However, it was Johnson’s impressive performance and Colorado’s ability to establish a physical presence early that was the difference in the game.