In their season finale, the University of Colorado football team fell to the Utah Utes in Salt Lake City 24-17 Saturday afternoon.
Colorado staged a comeback late in the game, outscoring Utah 17-3 in the second half with 10 of those points coming in the fourth quarter. But when the Buffs got the ball back with a last chance to score, the comeback was cut short as freshman quarterback Sefo Liufau was picked off on the first play of the drive.
There were six total turnovers in the game. Colorado’s three turnovers proved costly, as the first two resulted in scoring drives for the Utes and the last interception by Liufau effectively ended the game.
The Buffs finally got on the scoreboard midway early in the third quarter, with Liufau’s 34-yard pass to senior tight end Scott Fernandez. The touchdown capped off a seven-play, 78-yard drive for the Buffs. Fernandez was targeted often in the game and finished with four catches for 61 yards receiving.
Liufau had 241 yards passing in the game with two touchdowns and three turnovers, including two fumbles and the aforementioned interception.
Junior wide receiver Paul Richardson had a quiet game in what could be his last for the Buffaloes, with four receptions for 54 yards. Sophomore wide receiver Nelson Spruce led the team with six receptions for 66 yards and one touchdown.
The Buffaloes close out their first season under head coach Mike MacIntyre with a 4-8 record, and a 1-8 record in the Pac-12.
Contact CUIndependent staff writer Sam Routhier at Samuel.routhier@colorado.edu.
