Colorado vs. Utah: Box score, stats, game summary and more ft. Shedeur Sanders
No. 17 Colorado still has a shot at the College Football Playoff, after the Buffs bullied visiting Utah late in a 49-24 win on Saturday.
Colorado trailed early but rallied to a 21-9 halftime lead on a pair of Shedeur Sanders touchdown passes and a long punt return, despite a rash of penalties before pulling away later.
Colorado (8-2, 6-1 in the Big 12) sits second in the Big 12, but might need a Big 12 title game victory to claim a spot in the Playoff. The Buffs don't play Big 12 leader BYU other than a potential league title game meeting.
Utah (4-6, 1-6) was one of the league's preseason favorites but has struggled through a difficult and injury-riddled season.
Colorado vs. Utah Box Score
Colorado Passing Stats
Colorado Rushing and Receiving Stats
Colorado Kicking Stats
Utah Passing Stats
Utah Rushing and Reciving Stats
Utah Kicking Stats
Colorado vs. Utah: Game summary
Utah turned an early interception of Shedeur Sanders into a short field goal and a 3-0 advantage. But Colorado rallied with a pair of touchdowns. Sanders connected with Will Sheppard from 40 yards out to give the Buffs the lead, and LeJohntay Wester returned a punt 76 yards to extend the advantage.
Colorado split the day between big plays and a host of offensive penalties that killed drives. The Buffs extended their edge to 28-9 on a 37-yard run by Isaiah Augustave early in the third quarter. While the two teams traded scores thereafter, Colorado's lead was never in real jeopardy.
Colorado moves closer to clinching a spot in the Big 12 title game with the victory. The Buffaloes will play at Kansas next week before finishing the regular season at home against Oklahoma State. If Colorado wins out, the Buffs will play for the Big 12 title.
Utah would have to win its final two games to achieve bowl eligibility. The Utes will play at home against Iowa State and then travel to UCF to finish the regular season. Utah's last losing season was in 2013.
- Utah: 32-yard field goal by Cole Becker, 3-0, 10:08 remaining in 1st quarter
- Colorado: 40-yard TD pass to Will Sheppard from Shedeur Sanders (Mata XPT), 7-3, 7:51 remaining in 1st quarter
- Colorado: 76-yard punt return TD by LaJohntay Wester (Mata XPT), 14-3, 5:49 remaining in 1st quarter
- Utah: 34-yard field goal by Cole Becker, 14-6, 5:35 remaining in 2nd quarter
- Colorado: 6-yard TD pass to Will Sheppard from Shedeur Sanders (Mata XPT), 21-6, 0:49 remaining in 2nd quarter
- Utah: 47-yard field goal by Cole Becker, 21-9, 0:00 remaining in 2nd quarter
- Colorado: 37-yard TD run by Isaiah Augustave (Mata XPT), 28-9, 11:43 remaining in 3rd quarter
- Utah: 40-yard TD pass to Dorian Singer from Isaac Wilson (Becker XPT), 28-16, 6:10 remaining in 3rd quarter
- Colorado: 47-yard TD pass to Drelon Miller from Shedeur Sanders (Mata XPT), 35-16, 13:58 remaining in 4th quarter
- Utah: 3-yard TD pass to Caleb Lohner from Isaac Wilson (Fano run for two-point conversion), 35-24, 8:34 remaining in 4th quarter
- Colorado: 4-yard TD run by Charlie Offerdahl (Mata XPT), 42-24, 4:32 remaining in 4th quarter
- Colorado: 5-yard TD run by Travis Hunter (Mata XPT), 49-24, 2:22 remaining in 4th quarter