Most TV shots of the Idaho State sideline Saturday showed Bengals head coach Mike Kramer with his head down, hands on his knees as the deficit kept growing.

Colorado (2-0) handled the Bengals 56-7 at Folsom Field, holding ISU’s offense to 96 yards and exposing Idaho State’s defense in every facet.

While the Bengals had their share of miscues, the biggest difference in the game was the prestige of a Pac-12 program against a Big Sky team trying to escape the conference cellar.

“They are way better than we are,” Kramer said after the game.

ISU (1-1) punted 11 times and picked up seven first downs — one on the first play from scrimmage after a Colorado penalty, another on ISU’s next drive and then one the rest of the half. Colorado’s suffocating pass defense limited Tanner Gueller’s throwing windows, and any completions were halted before Bengals receivers could pick up yards after the catch.

Idaho State’s longest play of the day was an 11-yard completion to Josh Cook on drive No. 2 of the game. It was ISU’s only play that went for more than 8 yards.

“When the longest pass play goes only 11 yards, you’re not going to get first downs,” Kramer said. “We didn’t get enough first downs.”

Colorado’s offense worked at a blistering pace, putting together eight scoring drives in a combined 15 1/2 minutes. The Buffaloes never took longer than 3:10 to score and marched the field in as little as 1:14.

After punting on their second drive, the Buffaloes scored a touchdown on six consecutive drives to take a commanding 49-0 lead into the locker room.

Colorado quarterback Sefo Liufau completed 15 of 18 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns before being replaced by Steven Montez near the end of the second quarter. Liufau also led the team in rushing with 54 yards and a score on six carries.

The senior dual threat usually had ample protection and was able to stride out of the pocket and up the field when faced with pressure.

Colorado outgained ISU 597-96 and piled up 32 first downs.

“Too much run-pass goodness for the Buffaloes on first down,” Kramer said, “and not any type of production for us really on first down throughout the day. First downs become the barometer of how good you are and where you think you can be.”

Liufau and Montez fired a steady diet of deep balls behind ISU’s secondary, racking up a combined 335 yards passing on 22 completions. Bengals cornerback Anthony Ricks was picked on constantly and drew multiple pass interference calls. Idaho State was penalized eight times for 78 yards.

“We can’t allow one corner to have to shoulder the entire burden of covering their best receiver,” Kramer said. “Where was the safety? That’s disconcerting to me and something we’ve got to get fixed.”

The Bengals averaged 1.74 yards per play and were 2 for 14 on third down. The running back corps was held to 35 yards rushing on 14 carries, led by Ty Flanagan’s 11 yards on two attempts. Jakori Ford had 9 yards on six carries and scored ISU’s lone touchdown on a 3-yard run in the third quarter.

Gueller finished 18 of 35 through the air with 59 yards and an interception. Tom Jewell replaced him early in the fourth quarter and went 1 for 6.

Joe Martin led the Bengals in tackles for the second game in a row with nine. Taison Manu, Hayden Stout and Mario Jenkins each had eight tackles. Idaho State forced one turnover — a fumble stripped and recovered by Christian Holland in the third quarter that set up Ford’s touchdown.

COOK SETS ALL-TIME MARK

With five catches for 28 yards Saturday, Idaho State senior tight end Josh Cook became the school’s all-time leading receiving tight end. Cook entered the game 12 yards behind Josh Hill, who played at ISU from 2009-12 and is currently the second-string tight end for the New Orleans Saints.

Cook has 1,259 yards for his career.

RETURN OF THE ROLL PUNT

Idaho State’s first punt of the game was a roll punt executed by Tom Jewell. The kick traveled 40 yards and began Colorado’s drive at its own 23-yard line. Cheney got the next punt, this time in the traditional style, and it went 37 yards. The Buffaloes also started that drive at their 23.

Cheney punted eight times for an average of 44.4 yards, and Jewell’s three punts averaged 33 yards.

Kramer has been adamant in his abandonment of the roll punt but reverted to it Saturday for the first time this season.

“We’re really good at being able to play within the confines of what the kicking game is presenting to us,” Kramer said. Colorado averaged 6 yards per punt return and took its only kick return 14 yards.