Last week’s loss against Kansas State was a heartbreaker for the Colorado Buffaloes (5-2, 3-1 Big 12). They came out today with a 34-7 statement win against the Arizona Wildcats (3-4, 1-3 Big 12) to ensure another crushing loss didn’t happen again.
The offense did their thing, as Shedeur Sanders led the Buffs up and down the field time after time in one of the best offensive performances of the season for Colorado. However, Robert Livingston’s defense put up a performance for the ages to stifle the Wildcats' potent pass attack.
Linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green and defensive end Samuel Okunlola were the stars of the Buffaloes defense. Hill-Green led the team with eight total tackles, while Okunlola had two sacks and constantly disrupted the Arizona passing offense.
The defense finished the day with seven sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception while holding Arizona to seven points, tied for their season low. The secondary also did a great job of limiting superstar receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who had just five catches for 38 yards.
"Shout out the [defensive] front," safety Shilo Sanders said. "The linebackers, they played their lights out."
On the offensive side of the ball, the Buffs started the game with three consecutive touchdown drives. Arizona attempted an onside kick on the opening kickoff, instantly giving the Buffs the ball in plus-territory. The offense got in a hole early, but on 3rd and 15, Shedeur Sanders connected with LaJohntay Wester for 46 yards to set up an Isaiah Augustave one-yard touchdown run.
Augustave had his best game of the season, totaling 53 yards on 14 carries to go with the early touchdown. The run game as a whole was productive for Colorado, going for 143 yards (not counting sacks) and two touchdowns (Sanders had the second on a six-yard scramble).
Part of the key to Colorado’s success on the ground was thanks to the use of the tight end. Sav’ell Smalls was frequently used in the run-blocking game along with Morgan Pearson, and their presence against a weak Arizona front opened up the run game for CU.
The star of the game on offense was Wester, who finished with eight catches for 127 yards. Despite not having a touchdown, Wester was always open for Shedeur Sanders to throw the ball to all over the field.
Wide receiver Will Sheppard extended his touchdown streak to three consecutive games with a spectacular one-handed catch in the second quarter, while true freshman Drelon Miller found the end zone for the first time in his college career on a shovel pass in the first quarter.
On the injury front for the Buffs, two-way star Travis Hunter did not play in the second half as a preventative measure for the shoulder injury he suffered a week ago. Hunter finished the game with two catches, 17 yards and one tackle on defense, effectively ending his Heisman Trophy campaign. He should be a full-go for next week’s game against Cincinnati. Jimmy Horn Jr. played after suffering an injury last week and racked up nine yards on two catches to go with three solid punt returns.
Regarding Hunter, Coach Prime said: “Little sore, little banged up. Travis wanted to play. I don’t know if he was 100%, but a half of Travis is a whole of somebody [else].”
Travis Hunter’s limited snap count paved the way for freshman cornerback Colton Hood to have another good performance. Hood had an interception and a big return for the second consecutive week to go with three tackles. While Hunter’s injury isn’t good for Colorado, it’s creating valuable opportunities for the younger Buffs behind him on both offense and defense.
The victory pushes the Buffs to a tie for second place in the Big 12. Next week, Cincinnati comes to Folsom Field in another very important game for the conference standings, as the Bearcats are also 3-1. BYU and Iowa State are currently the only two undefeated teams left in the conference (pending the result of UCF vs. ISU).
Next week’s homecoming game at Folsom Field between the Buffaloes and the Bearcats kicks off at 8:15 p.m. MT on Saturday and will be televised on ESPN.
Cover photo via Roberto Patrick Gerra/Sko Buffs Sports
Opmerkingen