Both of Colorado’s losses happened after slow starts, so coach Deion Sanders stressed the importance of starting strong in Arizona.
Thanks to Arizona’s failed opening gamble, the Buffaloes quickly took control and delivered one of their best performances this season.
Shedeur Sanders passed for 250 yards and had three touchdowns, while Colorado’s defense dominated Arizona in a 34-7 victory on Saturday.
“We’re in good shape and we always play well in the second half, but it was imperative to get off to a tremendous start in the first half,” Sanders said. “That’s what we focused on.”
And they did just that. The Buffaloes (5-2, 3-1 Big 12) scored two quick touchdowns — one following Arizona’s unsuccessful onside kick — and pressured the Wildcats (3-4, 1-3) all afternoon, bouncing back from last week’s 31-28 loss to Kansas State.
Sanders threw for two touchdowns and two interceptions on 23-of-33 passing, and he ran for another score. Colorado converted 8 of 11 third downs while building a 21-point lead by halftime, and its defense limited the Wildcats to 245 total yards.
“Everybody is capable and we have a team capable of winning every game, and that’s what we did today,” Colorado safety Shilo Sanders said. “Everybody played like themselves.” Arizona spent most of the game trying to catch up to the Buffaloes.
The Wildcats struggled to protect quarterback Noah Fifita, allowing seven sacks after giving up just six in the first six games. Scrambling throughout the game, Fifita threw an interception, lost a fumble, and struggled to connect with preseason All-American Tetairoa McMillan, who had five catches for 38 yards.
“There were some opportunities there, some bright moments, but not nearly enough to sustain drives and move the ball against a really active defense,” said Arizona coach Brent Brennan.
The Wildcats’ troubles began right from the start. Trying to surprise Colorado, Arizona attempted an onside kick that failed, putting them on defense for most of the first half.
Colorado began their first drive at Arizona’s 46-yard line and quickly scored with Isaiah Augustave’s 1-yard touchdown run. Drelon Miller then scored on a 1-yard shovel pass from Shedeur Sanders, followed by Will Sheppard catching a 16-yard touchdown in the corner of the end zone, which was initially ruled incomplete but was overturned on review.
Sanders’ 6-yard touchdown run gave Colorado a 28-7 lead at halftime.
Arizona managed one good drive in the first half, ending with Fifita’s 1-yard shovel pass to Chris Hunter, but they also lost a fumble deep in their own territory just two plays after recovering another fumble.
“We have a standard and we’re not living up to it,” said Fifita, who passed for 138 yards on 16-of-28 attempts. “Obviously, losing makes it even worse.”
Colorado’s offense slowed down in the second half, but it didn’t matter because of how well their defense played.
