Colorado Buffaloes Face Humiliating Defeat Against Utah Under Coach Prime
The Colorado Buffaloes faced a crushing defeat against the Utah Utes, slipping to a dismal 53-7 loss. This game marked a stark reminder of their struggles in the past, despite new head coach Deion Sanders’ attempts to revitalize the team’s image. The match took place at Rice-Eccles Stadium, home to a record-setting 93rd consecutive sold-out crowd.
Game Overview
Utah struck early, scoring on just the second play with a 63-yard touchdown run by true freshman quarterback Byrd Ficklin. He stepped in for injured starter Devon Dampier and delivered an impressive performance, amassing 140 passing yards and two touchdown throws while rushing for 151 yards and another score.
Scoring Breakdown
- First Quarter:
- Ficklin 63-yard run (14:23)
- Field goal by Dillon Curtis (4:51)
- Wayshawn Parker 58-yard run (2:53)
- Second Quarter:
- Safety (14:30)
- JJ Buchanan 22-yard touchdown reception (12:50)
- NaQuari Rogers 2-yard touchdown run (3:42)
- Larry Simmons 20-yard touchdown reception (2:08)
- Field goal by Curtis (0:00)
- Third Quarter:
- Field goal by Curtis (1:42)
- Fourth Quarter:
- Ryan Staub 1-yard touchdown run (9:03)
- Nate Johnson 56-yard run (3:12)
Game Statistics
| Category | Colorado | Utah |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 12 | 25 |
| Total net yards | 149 | 587 |
| Rushes-yards | 38-47 | 51-422 |
| Passing | 102 | 165 |
| Comp-att-int | 13-30-1 | 11-25-0 |
| Penalties-yards | 1-15 | 8-80 |
| Time of possession | 26:29 | 33:31 |
Player Highlights
For Colorado, quarterback Kaidon Salter struggled, completing 9 of 22 passes for just 37 yards. He also lost ground on the ground game, finishing with minus-four rushing yards after being sacked multiple times. In contrast, Utah’s offensive execution shone brightly, particularly through Ficklin and Parker, who both contributed significantly to the scoring.
This defeat marks the largest margin for Colorado since November 19, 2022, when they lost 54-7 at Washington. The Buffaloes’ offensive struggles were evident, as they recorded only 140 total yards, the lowest since a prior loss in 2021.
Conclusion
The 53-7 defeat against Utah highlights the challenges the Colorado Buffaloes face under Coach Prime as they strive to break free from their past. With a need for improvement in both offensive and defensive strategies, the team will look to regroup and bounce back from this humiliating loss in upcoming games.
