Junior reciever Nelson Spruce sheds a tackle early in the second quarter of play at Arizona Stadium. The Buffs fell to Arizona in Tuscon, 38-20 (Nigel Amstock/CU Independent)
Colorado football could not have started any better in a 38-20 loss to No. 19 Arizona Saturday night. Sophomore quarterback Sefo Liufau’s 75-yard strike gave the Buffs a seven-point lead in 11 seconds — the fastest score in CU history. A fourth-down, goal-line stand on the Wildcats’ first possession gave the Buffs even more hope.
But it was turnovers that eventually doomed the Buffaloes, who fell to 0-7 in the Pac-12 and 2-8 overall. Liufau committed every one of Colorado’s four turnovers, which were turned into a 28 points for Arizona (21 in just the first half).
“It is the same thing over and over,” said junior wide receiver Nelson Spruce. “The theme is, we’re just making those penalties and turnovers that continually cost us the game. I think physically we are standing toe-to-toe with these teams, but we’re just making mistakes.”
On Liufau’s final turnover, an interception early in the fourth quarter that essentially sealed the game, an Arizona defender drilled him just as he let go of the ball.
“He’s a little bit woozy or dizzy right now,” head coach Mike MacIntyre said after the game. “I don’t know exactly the state of it, if it’s a concussion right now, but it’s something to do with his head. He’s going to be OK, but I don’t know how serious it is at this point.”
Sophomore Jordan Gehrke finished the game at quarterback. He was 0-5.
CU tallied most of its points in the first half, only scoring three in the second. One of the coolest plays of the season tied it up early in the second quarter — a double-reverse had Spruce running with the ball when it looked like a Wildcat defender would stop him, but Spruce then unexpectedly threw it to Liufau, who was alone in the end zone. The play was the 15th overall touchdown connection between Spruce and Liufau, and it was the first non-throwing touchdown for the Buffs’ quarterback.
Freshman running back Phillip Lindsay was easily the star of the game for the Buffs. Coming off a game against Washington where he fumbled twice, Lindsay finished with a career-high 114 yards on 17 carries.
The defense, which was missing starters Tedric Thompson and Chidobe Awuzie, provided plenty of opportunities for the offense to tie or take the lead in the second half, but it never happened. The CU defense had three fourth-down stops, which should have resulted in more points.
On one drive late in the third quarter, the Buffs were planning to go for it themselves on fourth-and-one, but a false start penalty moved Colorado back and forced the team to punt. Mistakes like this all night doomed Colorado.
Although sophomore linebacker Addison Gillam returned after missing two weeks with a concussion and flu symptoms, he did not start. Senior Brady Daigh filled in nicely, as he has had to do a lot this season. He had a huge tackle on fourth down that stopped Arizona from scoring on its first drive and finished with five tackles, two for losses. Gillam finished with three tackles.
The CU secondary stifled Arizona quarterback Anu Solomon at times, but the Wildcats found other ways to move the football. Solomon finished with 115 rushing yards (a career high), most of which were from scrambling. Arizona found success with its running backs, too, mostly in the second half. Freshman Nick Wilson amassed 153 yards on 21 carries.
The Wildcats also benefitted from Colorado penalties — the Buffs committed 10 for 103 yards. On just one drive, CU was called for three pass interference penalties that went for a total of 45 yards.
Despite the many losses this season, at least Colorado has put in a good effort, competing with highly ranked teams.
“No matter if our record is 0-8 or 8-0, we always look to come out and fight, and focus on winning each game we’re playing,” said Colorado receiver Shay Fields.
With the way CU has played, it’s hard to argue with Fields. But ultimately the Buffaloes can’t expect to be competitive, let alone win, when they are minus four in the turnover department.
Colorado will have to wait two weeks to get back on the football field. After a bye this week, the Buffs will face No. 4 Oregon on Nov. 22 in Eugene. They’ll need all the help they can get.
Notes: This was CU’s 10th straight Pac-12 loss and 18th straight against ranked opponents. Senior wide receiver D.D. Goodson missed the game with an ankle injury. Running back Michael Adkins left the game in the first half with a sprained knee. Freshman safety Evan White left with a concussion. The Buffs sported black helmets, white shirts and gold pants, the first jersey combination of its kind for Colorado. CU is 1-10 all time when wearing black helmets.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Jared Funk-Breay at jared.funkbreay@colorado.edu. Follow him on Twitter at @jaredfunkbreay.
