No. 11 Utah secured a 27-24 road victory over the Colorado Buffaloes on Saturday, Oct. 17, at Folsom Field, extending its undefeated season to 6-0. The Utes overcame a 17-point third-quarter surge by Colorado to maintain their Big 12 perfection, while the Buffaloes dropped to 2-4 overall and 0-3 in conference play before a sell-out crowd of 52,489.
A Second Half Shift
The game featured a dramatic shift in momentum during the second half. Utah entered halftime with a 13-0 lead, fueled by a 75-yard touchdown drive on the opening possession and a 29-yard field goal from Dillon Curtis. The Buffs' offense struggled in the first half, being shut out by a disciplined Utah defense that held them to zero points and zero third-down conversions.
Colorado ignited a comeback at the start of the third quarter, scoring 17 straight points to take a 17-13 lead. The rally included a 68-yard touchdown pass from Isaac Wilson to JaQuail Smith and an 18-yard touchdown run by DeKalon Taylor. A 32-yard field goal by Elliott Arnold further extended the Buffs' lead to 17-13 before Utah responded with two touchdown passes from Devon Dampier to Braden Pegan to retake the lead.
Key Performers and Turnovers
Utah quarterback Devon Dampier led the Utes to the win, completing 24-of-40 passes for 278 yards and three touchdowns. His scoring connections included Braden Pegan, who finished with eight catches for 86 yards and two touchdowns, and Creed Whittemore, who recorded a career-high 88 receiving yards. Wayshawn Parker anchored the Utah ground game with 96 yards on 22 carries.
Colorado's offense was led by quarterback Isaac Wilson, a former Utah transfer. Wilson threw for 256 yards and three touchdowns, including a late 2-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Moore, Jr. that brought the Buffs within three points with 1:21 remaining in the game. However, a late attempt to drive down the field ended when a lateral by Wilson to Quanell Farrakhan Jr. was ruled an illegal forward pass, forcing a Hail Mary attempt that fell incomplete.
Coach Sanders Reacts
The Colorado defense provided a standout performance despite the loss. Linebacker Gideon Lampron recorded 11 total tackles, including two tackles for loss and one sack. The Buffaloes' defense limited the high-powered Utah offense to just over five yards per play and recorded nine tackles for loss.
Despite the defeat, Colorado head coach Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders expressed pride in his team's resilience. Sanders noted that the team showed they could compete with an undefeated opponent. He remarked that he was proud of the players for fighting to the end and not giving up, despite the score. He added that the team would continue to practice hard to move past the loss.
Looking Toward the Future
The loss leaves Colorado in a four-game losing streak. However, the team and coaching staff expressed belief that the effort shown during the game could be season-changing. As reported by the Denver Gazette, Sanders told the locker room he was proud of the players because they fought and had a chance to win.
Quarterback Isaac Wilson expressed intense frustration following the game, noting that he wanted the victory as much as any game in his career. Wilson, who previously played seven starts for Utah in 2024, said he was willing to put everything on the line. Despite the emotional outcome, the team remains focused on bowl eligibility with six games remaining in the season.
What's Next
Utah's victory moves them to 3-0 in Big 12 play and keeps their perfect season intact. The Utes will return home to Rice-Eccles Stadium to face No. 20 Houston on Saturday, Oct. 24. Colorado will travel to face Oklahoma State on Saturday, Oct. 24.
