It was a miscue that might have unnerved a younger Steven Montez. In turn, the Buffaloes' offense would have faltered, eventually committing the sort of mistakes that cost teams games.
But so far, this is not the same Steven Montez.
Another masterful performance by CU's signal-caller — he completed 22 of 26 passes and accounted for three touchdowns in the Buffs' 38-16 win Friday night against UCLA — actually began with an ominous sign, a rare failure in execution so far this season that opened, however briefly, a window of opportunity for the underdog Bruins.
Yet once again Montez and the Buffs were at their best when it mattered most in the second half, moving to 4-0 for the first time since John Elway was playing his final season with the Broncos.