Buffs Come Up Short At Utah In Season Finale

SALT LAKE CITY — Colorado's bid for a third straight win and a bowl bid came up short Saturday night, as Mel Tucker's Buffaloes dropped a 45-15 decision to sixth-ranked Utah in their season finale at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Colorado fell to 5-7 with the loss and 3-6 in Pac-12 play, CU's third straight 5-7 finish. Utah improved to 11-1 and 8-1 and clinched its second straight Pac-12 South title. The Utes will play Oregon in next week's Pac-12 championship game.

Colorado's defense had an outstanding start, forcing three straight three-and-outs, and the Buffs' offense then delivered a long touchdown drive at the end of the first quarter to give CU a 7-0 lead.

But the Utes responded with 31 unanswered points to take a comfortable 31-7 lead into the fourth quarter. CU finally scored again early in the fourth period, but the Utes answered with two more touchdowns for the game's final tallies.

Colorado's Steven Montez finished with 157 yards passing and two touchdown throws to become CU's all-time leader in passing yards and total offense. He also increased his CU record for career passing touchdowns to 63. Brady Russell and Daniel Arias each had a touchdown catch for Colorado.

The Buffs finished with a season-low 217 yards total offense while Utah finished with 372. The Utes also recorded five quarterback sacks while the Buffs had two. CU was also just 2-for-11 on third-down conversion tries while Utah was 8-for-13.

Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley threw for 165 yards and two scores and running back Zack Moss ran for 88 yards and a touchdown.

"I knew it was going to be a physical game," Tucker said. "We matched that and it was not an issue for us. It was more about our execution. I didn't feel like we were overwhelmed by their physicality or anything like that. I thought early in the game we were dominant in some areas. We just need to have more discipline to be more consistent in some areas."

HOW IT HAPPENED: The Buffs scored first for a 7-0 lead late in the first period, but from that point on, it was all Utah for the next two quarters. The Utes scored 17 unanswered points in the second quarter to take a 17-7 edge at intermission, then added a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter — including a 66-yard punt return for a score — to take a commanding 31-7 lead heading into the final period.

The Buffs finally got their offense cranked up again in the fourth quarter, driving 79 yards in seven plays for a touchdown. Montez had a 24-yard completion to Laviska Shenault Jr. on the drive, setting up a 27-yard scoring strike to Daniel Arias with 12:51 still left to play. The Buffs then went for two and Montez connected with tight end Brady Russell to pull the Buffs to within 31-15.

Utah, though, responded on its next possession. CU attempted an onside kick but the Utes recovered and then drove 47 yards in five plays, with Moss capping the drive with a 1-yard run for a 38-15 Utah lead.

Utah then added one more touchdown to complete the scoring.

"They have so many weapons," said CU linebacker Davion Taylor. "The main thing that we were trying to do is stop the run game. I feel like the first half we did that. Then they started throwing to some of their receivers. When we focused on one thing, then they started going to other things. We were so focused on the run that they just got us on a few passes. In the second half we started to balance things out, but we just made critical mistakes that caused us to lose the game."

Colorado threw a scare into the Utes early, as the defense forced three straight three-and-out possessions.

The Buffs then drew first blood, going 62 yards in 12 plays for the game's opening touchdown. Montez completed five passes on the drive, including a 6-yarder to Shenault on fourth and five that kept the march alive. Montez then found Russell for a 7-yard touchdown pass with 43 seconds left in the first quarter and Evan Price's PAT gave the Buffs a 7-0 lead.

The Utes, though, finally responded with a scoring drive, marching 75 yards in eight plays. Utah's Huntley escaped a near sack to find tight end Brant Kuithe open in the end zone for a 38-yard scoring pass, and the PAT tied the game at 7-7.

The Utes then took the lead after Colorado punted on its next possession. The Utes went 84 yards in eight plays, with the big play a 44-yard run by Kuithe on an inside reverse. Huntley then connected with Kuithe again for a 7-yard scoring toss, and the Buffs trailed 14-7 with 4:38 left in the half.

Utah then added a field goal just before the half after the Buffs couldn't move. A 36-yard punt return and a 15-yard penalty on CU on the return put the Utes in position for the 23-yard field goal with four seconds left in the half.

That left Colorado trailing, 17-7, at intermission.

Utah then added two scores in the third quarter, driving 48 yards in 12 plays, capping the march with a 1-yard Devin Brumfield run. The Utes then forced a CU punt on the ensuing possession, and Demari Simpkins returned the kick 66 yards down the right sideline for a touchdown and 31-7 Utah lead.

TURNING POINT: After Utah had tied the game at 7-7 early in the second quarter, the Buffs had a penalty and sack thwart their next drive to force a punt. The Utes then answered with an 84-yard scoring drive that included a 44-yard run on third-and-1. Utah scored one play later to take momentum the Buffs could never regain.

NEXT UP: The loss ended CU's season with a 5-7 record for the third straight year.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu

Team Stats

Steven Montez

Players Mentioned

Daniel Arias

Steven Montez

Evan Price

Brady Russell

Laviska Shenault Jr.

Davion Taylor

Players Mentioned

Daniel Arias

Steven Montez

Evan Price

Brady Russell

Laviska Shenault Jr.

Davion Taylor