Jeremy Papasso / Staff Photographer)
DENVER — The prospects were tantalizing in Fort Collins.
Colorado State's offense facing a rebuilt Colorado defense a week after roughing up Oregon State seemed to be filled with promise.
Colorado was thinking much the same thing, and quarterback Steven Montez said as much during the week, anticipating the Buffs would light up the scoreboard.
It all proved to be false.
The Buffs handcuffed the Rams in the Rocky Mountain Showdown at Mile High Stadium, and Colorado State did a bit of that to itself with costly penalties in a 17-3 loss in front of a near-capacity crowd of 73,932.