Shaun Myers takes down an ASU player during the game at Folsom Field Saturday Nov. 22, 2025. (Tyler Phillips/CU Independent)
The Colorado Buffaloes (3-8, 1-7 Big 12) hung with No. 25 Arizona State University (8-3, 6-2 Big 12) for three quarters on Nov. 22, but collapsed down the stretch to lose 42-17. After going into the fourth quarter down by just four points, the Sun Devils ran away and outscored CU 21-0 in the final fifteen minutes. The Buffs’ defense forced four turnovers over the game and only turned them into three total points, leaving many opportunities to take over unfulfilled.
True freshman quarterback Julian Lewis made his second career start and performed solidly, throwing for 161 yards and one touchdown while still avoiding his first interception. His lone score went to junior Omarion Miller, who has caught all four of his touchdowns this season.
“They’re wonderful,” head coach Deion Sanders said about their connection. “The kid [Miller] can play, and they will have a connection. And prayerfully, that stands.”
Arizona State had their first mistake in the opening quarter, fumbling deep in CU territory. The Buffs took the field just two yards shy of the red zone but came away with zero points, failing on a fourth-and-one try.
Down 3-0, Colorado began pounding the run attack to execute on a 57-yard touchdown drive, with 42 yards credited alone to sophomore Micah Welch. It was the Buffs’ lone score of the first half, as they went into the locker room down 13-7.
Arizona State exposed CU’s vulnerability to big plays, scoring on a 33-yard break-free run down the sideline from junior Raleek Brown. Brown finished with a career-high 255 rushing yards and two touchdowns, consistently challenging the Buffs’ defense throughout the game.
To open the second half, Colorado grabbed their final lead of the game off Lewis’ touchdown to Miller to go up 14-13. From this point on, the Buffs got outscored 29-3, despite forcing two more turnovers.
Colorado Buffaloes junior wide-reciever, Omarion Miller, scroes a touchdown against Arizona State University on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025(Remi Krupinski/CU Independent).
The Sun Devils swiftly punched back on a 68-yard touchdown up the middle from sophomore wide out Derek Eusebio. The Buffs once again fell victim to a big play that drained any momentum coming out of the locker room.
Colorado gained 33 yards on a screen pass from sophomore Joseph Williams but fumbled on the following play. On Arizona State’s ensuing snap, Sincere Brown ran for an 88-yard touchdown.
In the fourth quarter alone, the Sun Devils ran for 205 yards and averaged a pickup of 12 yards per play. CU only gained three first downs compared to ASU’s 11, as the Sun Devils ran away 42-17.
While the numbers are slightly inflated due to the disorganized fourth quarter, CU still allowed 580 total yards from ASU. It was also the third time the unit’s given up over 300 rushing yards this year.
“I can’t really disclose that,” Sanders said about addressing the run defense. “The process is already started.”
After allowing an average of 24 points per game through the first seven weeks, the Buffs have given up 44 points per game over their last four contests. They surrendered 587 yards and 53 points to Utah, and 417 yards and 52 points to Arizona. While much public attention has focused on the quarterback position, the defensive unit has also faced scrutiny.
Nearly three years into the Coach Prime era, Saturday night marked the lowest attendance since his arrival. Sanders now faces a Kansas State team (6–5, 4–4 Big 12). Kickoff is set for 10 a.m. MT on Nov. 29 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium and will be streamed on FOX One.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Baylan Wysuph at baylan.wysuph@colorado.edu.
