Colorado destroyed by 14th-ranked Utah, 63-21

Nov 27, 2022 - 2:13 PM

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A dead silent crowd at the end of the Colorado Buffaloes’ season finale. Not much to cheer about as No. 14 Utah rolls to a 63-21 rout at Folsom Field on Saturday.

Cameron Rising threw for 234 yards and three touchdowns, but sat out the second half after the Utes were up 42-0 at halftime.

What a day for Ja’Quinden Jackson, who led Utah’s rushing attack with 117 yards and three touchdowns. Colorado gave up 383 yards on the ground, which is the second-most this season to the 435 yards surrendered to Air Force.

The Utes (9-3, 7-2 Pac-12) entered today with a shot at facing No. 5 USC in the Pac-12 Championship game. And how things are favoring Utah for that to happen. No. 17 UCLA knocked off Cal on Friday. Then, No. 22 Oregon State pulled out a huge win over 10th-ranked Oregon. If No. 12 Washington can beat Washington State, it would give Utah the spot in Vegas.

Colorado gave up 662 yards of total offense, and the 63 points was the most allowed since Oregon hung 70 on them in 2012.

The Buffaloes (1-11, 1-8 Pac-12) tie their worst season as member of the Pac-12. A rock-bottom season with head coach Karl Dorrell fired and replaced by Mike Sanford. CU was never in a majority of the game this season.

“I told the team after the game in the locker room that I don’t believe in moral victories normally, but tonight I do,” Sanford said. “This group of players made football fun for me.”

Colorado dropped to 4-37 against AP top-25 teams since 2011. They wait for the announcement of their next head coach expected to be in the coming days.