The Husker fans clapped heartily, repeating taunts of “CU later” and “Go Big Red” as the Buffs left what had been their sacred ground for half a decade. Some stared back, some looked straight ahead, but most were too mortified to give any reaction at all.

In what was likely the most nauseating defeat in the Gary Barnett era, Colorado lost, 30-3, to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who came into Boulder as more than a two-touchdown underdog. The margin of defeat was one point more than Colorado dealt Nebraska in the celebrated 62-36 game in 2001.

CU lost more than its pride Friday, however. Its record slipped to 7-4, the same as Nebraska’s, and its bowl prospects plummeted. In order for the Buffs to play in next week’s Big 12 championship game, Iowa State must lose at Kansas today.

For the Buffs, a once-promising season has been reduced to rooting for the Jayhawks.

“This game is a season in itself. It can define a whole year,” senior CU quarterback Joel Klatt said. “Hopefully it doesn’t. It’s hard to find words right now.”

The numbers do most of the talking. The Huskers gained 497 total yards to the Buffs’ 212 and kept the ball almost twice as long. Nebraska was especially potent through the air, where quarterback Zac Taylor never had to search for an open receiver.

The junior completed 27 of 43 passes for 392 yards and two touchdowns, completing three or more passes to six different receivers.

“We got them on their heels early, and we just knew that we could keep putting the ball in the end zone,” Taylor said. “I definitely felt like I was in a zone. ... This is finally the game that we have been working toward.

“It just makes it even better that it was at Colorado. It ruined a lot of their opportunities. That was a great feeling.”

CU defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz said there was nothing in the Nebraska scheme that surprised the Buffs. Fooled or not, however, the Buffs could do nothing to stop the Huskers.

“We didn’t play as a team on defense,” cornerback Lorenzo Sims said. “It just seemed like everybody had breakdowns throughout the game.”

The Colorado offense did little to help. The Buffs went three-and-out on six of their 13 possessions, and only two of their drives lasted more than seven plays. The offense struggled so much that at one point, Barnett considered replacing Klatt, even though it was the three-year starter’s last home game.

Klatt, who faced an intense rush all day, completed 20 of 40 passes for 159 yards and an interception.

Although sophomore tailback Hugh Charles ran 45 yards on his first carry, the Buffs failed to generate a consistent running game. Charles finished with 78 yards on 12 tries, and backup Byron Ellis added five more yards on a single carry.

“For whatever reason, we put on a very poor performance in a very critical situation,” Barnett said. “Part of that is execution, but the coaches have to take some responsibility.”

The coaches will also have to find a way to get the Buffs past this loss, especially if they earn a shot at Texas in the conference championship — a scenario that would give the team a week to move on.

Immediately after the game Friday, the thought of facing the Longhorns sparked more apprehension than excitement.

“I think if that happens, it will be the hardest thing we’ll do all year,” senior receiver Evan Judge said. “Our mentality will have to change overnight.”