Colorado University Athletics
What You Need To Know: Buffs Vs. Utes
December 12, 2020 | Football, Neill Woelk
UTAH (1-2, 1-2 Pac-12) AT NO. 21 COLORADO (4-0, 3-0)
KICKOFF: 10:05 a.m., Folsom Field
TV, RADIO: Fox will televise the game with Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt and Jenny Taft. KOA Radio will broadcast the game with Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson on play-by-play and Gary Barnett providing color commentary.
ON THE INTERNET: The game can be heard on the internet at CUBuffs.com or via KOA Radio website (www.850KOA.com). The game can also be heard on the Tunein app, and CUBuffs.com will also provide a live blog with continuous updates and statistics throughout the game.
THE COACHES: Colorado head coach Karl Dorrell is in his first year at the Buffs' helm. He is 4-0 at CU and 39-27 overall as a head coach, and is 1-1 against Utah (both games when he was at UCLA). Kyle Whitrtingham is in his 16th year at Utah, where he has compiled a 132-66 record. He is 7-2 against Colorado.
THE SERIES: Colorado has a 32-31-3 all-time edge in the series, but is just 2-7 against Utah since joining the Pac-12 in 2011. Utah has won the last three games, with CU's last victory coming in Boulder in 2016.
WHAT'S AT STAKE: A win will keep the Buffs unbeaten and in contention for a Pac-12 South title.
LAST OUTING: After falling behind 13-0 at Arizona last week, the Buffs came back to score the next 24 points while the defense blanked UA the rest of the way in a 24-13 Colorado win. Utah built a 30-10 lead over Oregon State, then had to hold on down the stretch for a 30-24 win.
TEAM LEADERS: Offensively, the Buffs are led by running back Jarek Broussard, who is averaging Pac-12-best 183.3 yards per game (second in the nation). Quarterback Sam Noyer has thrown for 742 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, ILB Nate Landman leads the Buffs with 54 tackles, including eight for loss with four QB sacks. OLB Carson Wells has 27 tackles, including 11 for loss (tops in the Pac-12).
For Utah, quarterback Jake Bentley has played in all three games (starting in two) with 489 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Ty Jordan has run for 296 yards and is averaging 123.3 all-purpose yards per game. Defensively, lineman Mike Tafua has 11 tackles and two sacks, linebacker Devin Lloyd has 29 tackles and defensive back Vonte Davis has two interceptions.
KEY MATCHUP: Colorado run game vs. Utah run defense. It's the Pac-12's leading rushing attack (245.5 yards per game) against the league's best run defense (104.7 yards per game). Whoever gets the upper hand here will control the tempo of the game.
UP NEXT: The Buffs will play in either next Friday's Pac-12 championship game or a game Saturday against another Pac-12 foe yet to be determined. The announcement for next week's schedule is expected to be made by the league late Saturday or early Sunday.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
