Sport breakdown: Buffs fall to Utah 23-17 in season finale

In what turned extra of a warfare of attrition than something, Colorado fell to Utah 23-17 in its remaining recreation as a member of the Pac-12.

The Buffs (4-8, 1-8 Pac-12) have been with out star quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who was dominated out earlier within the day Saturday as a consequence of arm and ankle accidents suffered in final week’s loss to Washington State. In his place, freshman Ryan Staub made his first profession begin in opposition to a Utes workforce that has had loads of harm issues to take care of all through the season.

Colorado moved the ball on the bottom and thru the air on its first collection, however the drive stalled out when Staub was sacked and misplaced the ball, giving it to the Utes. Utah, whose quarterback Luke Bottari was making his first FBS begin as properly, leaned into the bottom recreation and had success. The Utes (8-4, 5-4) managed the clock and methodically moved the ball down the sector, leaping out to a 10-0 lead early within the second quarter.

That’s when the Buffs’ offense lastly awakened. Staub led the Buffs down into Utah territory earlier than playcaller Pat Shurmur dug into his bag of tips for the primary landing. Staub flipped a fast lateral out to receiver Jimmy Horn Jr., who then discovered operating again Dylan Edwards downfield for a 30-yard rating to get the Buffs on the board.

With the Buffs trailing 13-7 late within the first half, controversy hit. Staub discovered Travis Hunter deep down the precise sideline for what appeared like a go-ahead landing proper earlier than half, however the officers overturned the catch to an incomplete move upon assessment. The Buffs have been compelled to accept three factors earlier than half as Alejandro Mata knocked a discipline purpose by way of to make the rating 13-10 Utah on the break.

Within the third quarter, Utah bought proper again to controlling the clock and operating the ball, capping off a 4-and-a-half minute drive with a Bottari speeding landing on a quarterback sneak to place the Utes in entrance by two scores. Former Buffs kicker Cole Becker prolonged the result in 13 with a discipline purpose, however CU wasn’t performed combating.

Early within the fourth, Staub led the Buffs all the way in which down the sector, discovering Horn for an enormous achieve, changing a fourth down with a heave to Michael Harrison, after which ripping a laser over the center to Hunter for an 18-yard rating to get the Buffs again inside attain.

Ultimately, nonetheless, the Utah offensive line was an excessive amount of for Colorado to beat. Hunter’s landing with 7:31 left on the clock was the final time the Buffs noticed the ball, because the Utes continued to dominate up entrance and transfer the chains. On the again of its operating recreation, Utah milked the remainder of the clock to complete the common season with a win on senior day.

Staub was spectacular in his first profession begin, ending the day 17 for twenty-four with 195 yards passing and a landing. Hunter was his favourite goal with the freshman discovering the two-way star eight occasions for 107 yards and a landing.

On the opposite aspect, Bottari wasn’t requested to do a lot, as he completed simply 6 for 10 with 61 yards and two speeding touchdowns. Utilizing a three-back committee of Sione Vaki, Ja’Quinden Jackson, and Jaylon Glover, Utah ran for 268 yards and constantly pushed the Colorado defensive position round. The Utes enhance to 8-4, and will probably be headed to a bowl recreation subsequent month.

Saturday’s loss was the Buffs’ sixth in a row, as they end the season 4-8 and simply 1-8 in Pac-12 play. They improved in 12 months 1 underneath Deion Sanders, however they now face an important offseason as they give the impression of being to take one other leap in 12 months 2.

Q1

UTAH: Luke Bottari 2-yard run (Cole Becker Kick) Utah 7-0, 4:03

Q2

UTAH: Cole Becker 34-yard Discipline Aim, Utah 10-0, 11:17

COLO: Jimmy Horn Jr. 30-yard move to Dylan Edwards (Alejandro Mata Kick), Utah 10-7, 8:17

UTAH: Cole Becker 22-yard discipline purpose, Utah 13-7, 1:38

COLO: Alejandro Mata 47-yard Discipline Aim, Utah 13-10, 0:20

Q3

UTAH: Luke bottari 1-yard run (Cole Becker Kick), Utah 20-10, 7:10

This autumn

UTAH: Cole Becker 31-yard Discipline Aim, Utah 23-10, 11:32

COLO: Ryan Staub 18-yard move to Travis Hunter (Alejandro Mata Kick), Utah 23-17, 7:31