Graduate wide receiver Will Sheppard celebrates after scoring a touchdown at the game against Kansas State at Folsom Field on Oct. 12, 2024. (Rachel Glazer/CU Independent)
The 14-7 score at the end of the first quarter between the University of Colorado Buffaloes and the University of Arizona Wildcats probably didn’t surprise anyone. Most expected the game could go either way and would end as a high-scoring nail-biter. However, the last three quarters saw the Wildcats fail to score again. After a crushing loss last week against Kansas State University, the Buffaloes responded in this week’s game beating Arizona 34-7.
Colorado jumped out to an early lead, scoring two touchdowns to take a 14-0 advantage halfway through the first quarter. Senior wide receiver LaJohntay Wester kicked things off for the offense with a 46-yard completion to set up the Buffs’ first score. Wester finished with eight catches for 127 yards.
Isaiah Augustave carried the majority of the workload on the ground, rushing for 53 yards, including the opening touchdown. The Buffs’ usage of their running backs remains unpredictable, as Augustave, Dallan Hayden, and Micah Welch seem to be taking turns as the feature back.
Early in the second quarter, receiver Will Sheppard caught a beautiful pass from Shedeur Sanders in the corner of the end zone and made an incredible effort to keep a foot in bounds, putting the Buffs up 21-7. The Buffs’ defense then forced a fumble and a three-and-out, setting up their fourth touchdown of the day, a six-yard rush by Shedeur Sanders.
Coming out of halftime with a 28-7 lead, it was smooth sailing as Colorado added six points while their defense continued to shut out the Wildcats’ dangerous offense.
Nikhai Hill-Green and Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig continued to lead the defense, combining for 15 tackles. The Buffs also recorded seven sacks, with two each from Samuel Okunlola and Keaten Wade. The Buffs’ pass rush has been one of the season’s biggest developments, seeming to improve each week.
One of the major storylines for Colorado’s defense was how safety Shilo Sanders would respond after a poor performance last week.
“Everybody goes through ups and downs,” Sanders said. “It was better for me to go through a down. It made me lock in, watch all my film, and prepare to the highest level.”
Head Coach Deion Sanders took to Instagram after the game to praise his son Shilo’s improved play.
“WOW,” Deion wrote. “What a difference a week makes! One minute you’re the topic of ridicule because it’s your first time in your career that you showed vulnerability in your game, but a week later you’re back to the PHYSICAL AGGRESSIVE DAWG that we all know.”
Arguably the most impressive feat for the Buffs in this game was holding Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, a projected first-round draft pick, to only 38 yards on five catches. Limiting McMillan’s impact was crucial to the Buffs’ defense holding Arizona to just seven points.
While Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr. returned this week after injuries sidelined them for much of the Kansas State matchup, both had relatively quiet games. Hunter caught two passes for 17 yards, including a big fourth-and-10 conversion, while Horn Jr. registered two catches for nine yards. However, after Hunter re-aggravated his shoulder early in the game, Coach Sanders decided to keep him out for the second half. It remains to be seen whether Hunter will suit up for next weekend’s home matchup against the University of Cincinnati.
Hunter still finds himself in the Heisman Trophy race alongside Boise State University running back Ashton Jeanty. However, Hunter’s 77 total snaps in his last two games may pose an uphill battle for the trophy awarded to college football’s best player.
Colorado’s victory over Arizona marked its fifth win of the season, already surpassing last year’s total. ESPN currently predicts the Buffs will end up in the DirecTV Holiday Bowl against Southern Methodist University, but hopes for a Big 12 Championship and College Football Playoff appearance remain alive. Regardless, a statement win against a conference opponent was significant for the Buffs, and they look to keep the momentum going next Saturday at home against Cincinnati.
Contact CU Independent staff writer Ryan Chun at ryan.chun@colorado.edu
