Sophomore running back Isaiah Augustave scores a touchdown during the game against the University of Utah at Folsom Field on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (Rachel Glazer/CU Independent)
The Colorado Buffaloes (8-2, 6-1 conf.) came into their meeting against the Utah Utes (4-6, 1-6 conf.) with the weight of controlling their destiny. Against all odds, if the Buffs win their next three games, including the Big 12 championship, they will find themselves in the College Football Playoff.
Colorado came in as 13.5-point favorites and were able to explode putting up nearly 50 points in their 49-24 victory. The score and statistics don’t tell an exactly accurate description of the game, as the Buffs did struggle on some fronts including penalties and gaps in the secondary.
They were able to run up the scoreboard with three touchdowns in the fourth quarter including a score by junior halfback Charlie Offerdahl who walked on the team during its 1-11 campaign in 2022.
Travis Hunter added to his Heisman resume all game, finishing with his tenth total touchdown and third interception of the year. Shedeur Sanders did a tremendous job of distributing the ball, giving four different receivers a noteworthy afternoon.
Junior athlete Travis Hunter jumps into the end zone to score a touchdown on Nov. 16, 2024, at the game against Utah. (Rachel Glazer/CU Independent)
Will Sheppard found the end zone twice off 71 yards, LaJohntay Wester led the team in catches with 10, but it was freshman Drelon Miller who stole the spotlight on Saturday with 108 yards and a 47 yard touchdown catch in the final quarter.
“He can play the slot, he can play out wide, he could get in the back field, he could go wildcat, the kid is talented, and he’s a freshman,” Head Coach Deion Sanders said about Miller’s versatility.
In the Buffs last two games the receiving core has done a great job of filling in the shoes of the injured Jimmy Horn Jr. Sanders’ has thrown for six touchdowns in his last two games and the offense is starting to really look College Football Playoff ready.
Colorado opened the game with fireworks in the first quarter, going up 14-3 off two electric touchdowns. First was a 40 yard catch to Will Sheppard off a free play from the offense. The second was a loud 76 yard punt return to the house from LaJohntay Wester.
Senior wide receiver LaJohntay Wester rushes down the field with the ball before scoring a touchdown on Nov. 16, 2024 at the game against Utah. (Rachel Glazer/CU Independent)
There were seven combined turnovers on the afternoon, including a Shedeur Sanders interception on the first play from scrimmage. The Buffs defense picked off Utah’s quarterback Isaac Wilson three times, and late in the game Colorado forced a turnover on downs to ice the victory.
“We need to get the completion percentage up. We need to get the interceptions down,” Utah’s long tenured Head Coach Kyle Whittingham said.
Saturday’s win was the Buffaloes fourth in a row, keeping their College Football Playoff hopes alive. Coach Prime and his squad are now two wins away from the Big 12 Championship, preparing for a matchup next week in Arrowhead Stadium against the University of Kansas Jayhawks.
Colorado has been one of the best, if not the best story in college football this season, and coming down the stretch every snap will matter. ESPN gives CU a 53% chance to win a week out, but Kansas has been a sneaky team that can compete any given night.
Contact CU Independent Football Writer Baylan Wysuph at baylan.wysuph@colorado.edu
