By John Meylor and Shaina Rios
Coach Deion ‘Prime’ Sanders at Press Conference (CBS)
Coach Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes, recently ranked No. 18 in the nation by the official AP Top 25 poll, looks to take down Coach Kyle Wittingham’s Utah Utes, for CFB’s Big Noon matchup. The Buffaloes have charged through the season standing at 2nd in the Big 12 Conference with a 7-2 overall record, led by Hesiman hopeful Travis Hunter and Top NFL Prospect Shadeur Sanders. Stay tuned for more updates from 1190 News.
[Q1 7:51] CU kicks off the game with a major mishap, as on the first play from scrimmage, QB Shadeur Sanders[#2] threw an interception in Buffaloes territory to Utah CB Lander Barton [#8]. In spite of this Boulder’s defense rallied and with the crowd to stifle the Utes, including a major sack by defensive tackles BJ Green II [#35] and Arden Walker [#53], ending the drive with a successful field goal. CU’s offense responded immediately by an explosive drive that was capped by a 40 yard pass from QB Sanders to WR Will Sheppard [#14]. CU up 7-3
[Q1 5:42] Utah suffers a shaky drive upfield after a 31 yard kickoff return as [#2] Miah Bernard fumbles and recovers the ball in a difficult pile up at the 33 yard line. They turnover the ball after just 4 downs where Colorado’s [#10] LaJohntay Wester swiftly runs the ball all the way to the end zone. [#16] Alejandro Mata reliably completes the extra point leaving the score 14-3 Colorado.
[End of Q1] After a very short kick return, Utah once again found itself absolutely battered by a Buffalo defense that was seeing red. Exemplary play from their secondary and an especially stingy series from the defensive front forced a 3-and-out from Utah. On the ensuing possession, the Bu ffs offense was equally anemic, unable to make any progress on a short field, leading to a 3-and-out of their own. Picking up the ball deep in their side of the field Utah’s offense began showing signs of life, moving the chains for the first time. CU kneecapped any potential from the drive though, as CB Travis Hunter [#12] came up with a huge interception off broken up pass. CU got possession at midfield as the first quarter expired. Colorado remains ahead at 14-3.
[Q2 8:37] CU with a rocky start to the quarter as QB [#2] Shedeur Sanders is sacked very early on for a loss of 14 yards. Just 30 seconds later [#6] Drelon Miller fumbles the ball out of bounds. Utah continues to struggle, however, against Colorado defense with nearly no gain in 4 downs and swiftly turnover the ball. Following the turnover, Utah pushes back keeping CU offense behind their own 50 yard line in a frustrating 4 downs. QB [#2] Sanders scrambled to complete a pass as he was consistently left undefended, throwing the ball seconds too late throughout Colorado’s possession.
[Q2 5:35] Colorado begins their possession with a 24 yard direct snap to [#17] Isaiah Hardge at the Utah 48, however, they loss 10 yards in a holding penalty against [#66] Offensive lineman Justin Mayers. CU calls their first timeout at 8:37. QB [#2] Sanders struggles to keep possession of the ball, fumbling the ball, which was recovered by Utah’s [#] J. Tafuna. Utah struggles to push the ball into the end zone following their fumble recovery, settling for a 35 yard field goal bringing the score 14-6 Colorado lead.
[End of Q2] CU responds to the insurgent Utah defends with a grindy drive taking just under 5 minutes to move the ball down the field. The drive crescendoes with a very risky but successful 4 & 8 conversion as QB Sanders [#2] lofts the ball 28 yards down the field and connects with WR Travis Hunter [#12] on an acrobatic leaping catch over 2 defenders. On the following play a short pass to WR Will Sheppard [#14] give CU their third touchdown of the game. Utah gets the ball with a tight clock and drives the ball down far enough for Kicker Cole Becker [#36] to make a 45 yard field goal as time expires. Utah is set to receive the second half kickoff. CU leads 21-9.
[Q3 7:15] Utah’s nightmare continues. Their first possession of the half eases to about midfield until QB Isaac Wilson throws an interception to Buffalo Linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green [#41]. On the following play by CU’s offense, RB Agustin [#23] finds a gaping hole in the offensive line, breaks through it and takes the ball to the house on a 37 yard TD run. The following possession from the Utes finds them trapped deep down their offensive well, as some slight progress ultimately sputters out at midfield and they punt the ball to CU. Buffaloes dominating 28-9.
[Q3 3:20] In a short Colorado possession, QB [#2] Sanders has a difficult time completing a pass and quickly turns over. Utah with an exemplary start to their possession, gains 18 yards in a 48 yard punt. Immediately following, Utah’s [#11] QB Isaac Wilson completes a 45 yard touchdown pass to [#3] Duane Singer, giving Utah a fighting chance at 28-16, Colorado lead. Colorado offense works tirelessly to move the ball up flied but inevitably turns over in a 58 yard punt.
[End of Q3] In spite of their previous offensive explosion, Utah’s offensive rally once again slogs through the mud as a weak running game continues to run into CU’s defensive brick wall, resulting in yet another 3-and-out for the Utes, their 5th of the game. Colorado receives the ball near their end of the field, and continues to show total command of the offensive side of the ball. Despite gliding down the field, a 17 yard gain on the superstar connection between Sanders and Hunter is nulled as poor clock management from Sanders resulted in the ball being snapped after time expired. Buffs up 28-16.
[Q4 8:34] Colorado begins the 4th quarts with a stunning 47 yard touchdown pass from Sanders to [#6] wide receiver Drelon Miller giving CU a significant lead at 35-16 with just under 15 minutes to go. In a slow but steady drive, Utah’s QB Wilson is able to move the ball up to the end zone in a series of short passes. Utah offense is able to push through at 8:43 with a 3 yard touchdown pass to [#84] Caleb Lonher followed by successful 2 point conversion. Colorado enters their possession with a maintained 35-24 lead.
[Q4 4:32] CU takes the ball hoping to bleed out the clock and extend their lead, with Sanders meticulously managing the clock and using his legs to gain ground. After a quick first down, WR Sheppard blunders on a completion and fumbles the ball, with Utah recovering it at their own 45 yard line. Despite an attempt by the Utes to push their comeback campaign into something legitimately dangerous, the Buffs snatch the ball right back. Utah QB Wilson finds himself making a poor decision yet again throws the ball under heavy duress right into the arms of Buffalo CB PJ McKinney [#8], giving CU the ball right near their 40 yard line. Sanders gives Wilson a lesson in throwing under pressure, as on the second play of the drive he delivers a laser through a collapsing pocket to WR Miller for a 49 yard gain. A 5 yard TD run for RB Charlie Offerdahl [#44] seems to put the nail in the coffin for the game. CU extends to 42-24.
[End of Game] Utah fails to rally, putting together 2 fairly anemic drives to close out the game. With a fumble recovery deep in Utah territory, CU delivers the ball to the end zone like light work off a 5 yard run from WR Hunter. In his post game press conference, Coach Sanders highlighted the improvement of play from of the offensive line as the key to the blowout win. FINAL SCORE: CU triumphs 49-24, snapping a 7 year losing streak against Utah.