I should be able to speak for all Colorado football fans when I say this was the kind of game we needed to see. The Buffs are more talented than Colorado State on paper, but they showcased that divide in talent in knocking around the Rams from the opening kickoff on Saturday, 28-9.

After two uneven weeks of play, CU played complementary football while showcasing a much better overall product. For a game with as much hype and emotion behind it, this type of win can propel the Buffs forward into their Big 12 schedule.

Here are my grades for CU's win over CSU:

Offensive Coaching: B+

The offensive coaching staff made changes that worked along the offensive line and in the backfield while also attempting to establish the running game. I would still like to see more balance, but overall, this was a great job of putting players in a spot to succeed and finding weaknesses to exploit.

Defensive Coaching: A

Colorado's defense was fantastic as defensive coordinator Robert Livingston called a great game. The Buffs generated pressure on nearly every dropback, causing Rams quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi to either tuck and run or force the ball into precarious spots.

Offense: B+

CU's offense struggled to get going and was held scoreless in the first quarter. That all changed once true freshman running back Micah Welch got into the game. Welch's first carry went for 25 yards and although that drive ended in a missed field goal, his running gave the offense the shot in the arm it needed.

Quarterback Shedeur Sanders was his usual efficient self, completing 36-of-49 passes for 310 yards and four touchdowns. LaJohntay Wester and Travis Hunter were his main targets, each going over 80 yards receiving and two touchdowns.

Defense: A+

Save for one fourth-down run, which resulted in 62 yards and led to CSU's lone touchdown, CU's defense was incredible all night. In the passing game, the Buffs' front generated tremendous pressure, and the defensive backs stuck to their assignments and didn't allow any breathing room for the Rams' wide receivers. Besides that 62-yard run from Avery Morrow, CU held CSU running backs to 63 rushing yards on 19 attempts.

Special Teams: C

Special teams was the lone sore spot for the Buffs. The field goal unit is starting to look like a weak point. Alejandro Mata missed a 44-yard attempt against the Rams and has missed half of his attempts so far this season. Add in the one missed field goal by long-range specialist Jace Feely, and CU has only hit 2-of-5 field goals.

Overall, punter Mark Vassett was great at pinning the Rams deep, but his first punt went for only 20 yards, giving the Rams a short field.

Further reading

READ: Shedeur Sanders shares heated postgame exchange with Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Grading the Colorado Buffaloes' Week 3 win over Colorado State