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Breaking down Colorado’s big win in the desert on Saturday
It’s Monday afternoon and the Colorado Buffaloes are fresh off a blowout win over the Arizona Wildcats, their third straight road win. We can reflect on the victory and discuss what went right for the Buffs.
The short version — everything went right for Colorado and it started immediately. Arizona attempted an onside kick to start the game, an admission that they were desperate to steal a possession from their superior opponent. This call was undoubtedly planned earlier in the week by Arizona, likely around the time they realized that Colorado outmatches them in every phase of the game. As I predicted earlier, Colorado dominated this game from start to finish, and now, after the dust has settled, we’ll talk about why.
What Went Right?
The Defense
The defense was on fire Saturday and it all started up front for the Buffs. Colorado’s defensive line tallied seven sacks and got constant pressure on Arizona’s Noah Fifita. It was no surprise that BJ Green broke through the line multiple times, but the leaders in sacks were Samuel Okunlola and Keaten Wade, with two each. The pressure came from all directions, with five different Buffaloes recording sacks and even more generating consistent pressure. This was the best performance we’ve seen from this group, and they seem to improve with every snap.
This was the most complete performance we’ve seen from the Buffs, and the defense was no exception. Colorado’s secondary improved from last week and seemed to learn from past mistakes. Instead of moving Preston Hodge from slot corner to outside corner, the Buffs gave Colton Hood more playing time—and he delivered yet again. Hood built on his performance against Kansas State, snagging another second-half interception. Despite his interception, Hood’s most notable play came from a de-cleating tackle, which looked almost like a wrestling move. Hood should continue to see more playing time moving forward, though it’s hard to say how much with both outside corner positions filled by Travis Hunter and DJ McKinney.
Balanced Offensive Attack
In the past, this team has struggled with maintaining a well-rounded attack, but the last few weeks have proven they’re capable of it. This game was a perfect example of how you can wear down an opponent and capitalize on momentum, especially through the run game. The Buffaloes used nearly every running back at their disposal, with three backs getting at least seven touches each. This is the type of balance we’ve been looking for all year, and it’s something we’ll need to see moving forward.
The passing game looked as sharp as ever, so there may not be much new to discuss there. Players like LaJohntay Wester and Will Sheppard continued to have a huge impact, while Jimmy Horn struggled and Travis Hunter remained bothered by his shoulder injury. Shedeur Sanders threw a couple of interceptions, but one was a tipped ball and the other was a miscommunication with the receiver. It seems like every game Shedeur has one bad pass that stands out, but the other 95% of the time he looks like the best quarterback in the nation. If Shedeur continues to improve alongside the rest of the team, the sky’s the limit for the Buffs.
Key Players:
- Nikhai Hill-Green is an intuitive playmaker for the Buffs. His knowledge of the defense and his role expands every week, and he finds a way to make big plays in every game. Whether it’s knockouts, sacks, or key tackles, he’s all over the field. This week, Nikhai added a sack and eight more tackles, leading the team in tackles and solidifying himself as an NFL talent.
- LaJohntay Wester continues to be lightning in a bottle. Recruited directly by Shedeur from FIU, Wester has made the most of his opportunities this season. He recorded 127 receiving yards on Saturday and could’ve had even more if not for a PI call. He has become the team’s main target in Travis Hunter’s absence and already has seven touchdowns on the year.
Outlook:
With Boulder buzzing, the Buffaloes will be excited to return home next weekend. The Buffs will take on Cincinnati in a game that feels like a must-win. Both teams need a victory to move to 4-1 in conference play, and I expect the game to be close. Keep an eye on Travis Hunter’s injury status this week, and I’ll see you guys in Boulder on Saturday. Sko Buffs!
by Jacob.Thompson
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