College football : Colorado defeats Colorado State 41-27

Denver • Greg Henderson scored on a 53-yard fumble return in the fourth quarter, and Connor Wood threw three touchdown passes — two to speedster Paul Richardson — to help Colorado beat Colorado State 41-27 on Sunday in Mike MacIntyre's coaching debut for the Buffaloes.

Wood often connected with Richardson, who was back on the field after missing last season because of a torn left ACL. Richardson finished with 10 catches for 208 yards. He had an 82-yard TD catch on Colorado's first pass play and sealed it with a 75-yard grab late in the fourth.

The Buffs have had four 200-yard receiving games in school history, two by Richardson. He had a school-record 284 yards receiving against California in 2011.

Wood was steady in the pocket all day, throwing for 400 yards.

Joe Hansley highlighted a strong showing on special teams for the Rams by scoring on a 74-yard punt return. Kapri Bibbs added two TDs, including one set up by Thomas Coffman's 84-yard kickoff return.

After finishing a program-worst 1-11 last season, Colorado fired Jon Embree and brought in MacIntyre to turn things around, just as he did at San Jose State. With the victory, he joined Rick Neuheisel as the only Buffs coaches since the 1930s to open on a high note.

With Colorado leading 26-24 early in the fourth and Colorado State driving, defensive lineman Chidera Uzo-Diribe stripped the ball from Bibbs. Henderson quickly scooped it up and raced down the sideline for a score.

The Buffs defense held the Rams to a field goal, before Richardson broke free for a TD to seal the win.

Rams coach Jim McElwain waited until game time to announce Garrett Grayson as the starting quarterback. He finished with 201 yards passing as the offense largely sputtered.