Game Day Live: Arizona

Injuries are the big story

It’s a beautiful fall day in Colorado today and I think we’re going to be in for an aesthetically pleasing game between Colorado and Arizona. 

However, this is a difficult game to analyze before it starts because key players for both teams are going to be game-time decisions. Most importantly we're talking about Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate, Colorado wide receiver Laviska Shenault and Colorado defensive lineman Mustafa Johnson. 

News has just come out that Tate will start for the Wildcats, which is scary for Colorado because he ran for approximately 10,000 yards the last time he played in Boulder.

We are still enduring a mystery regarding Shenault's injury, but we're about 15 minutes from finding out whether he and Johnson are going to play. 

2:20 p.m.

Freshman K.J. Trujillo will start at cornerback opposite Delrick Abrams, Jr. Interesting move, as Trujillo has only played two snaps this year -- both against Arizona State last week. He's a small guy (165 pounds) who was a three-star prospect in high school. 

Tight end Darrion Jones, who missed the last two games injured, is available again today. 

2:41 p.m.

Laviska Shenault won't play (core muscle strain).

Mustafa Johnson won't play (high ankle sprain).

Chris Miller is out for the season (torn ACL).

3:22 p.m.

We've barely started the second quarter and CU already has five penalties. This is killing the Buffaloes so far. 

3:26 p.m.

Yeah, you could say a lack of focus is causing problems for Colorado today. Daniel Arias dropped a perfectly placed TD ball from Montez and CU wound up punting. 

3:52 p.m.

My land, Mikial Onu again! That's his fourth interception and sixth forced turnover of the season, and it comes in a huge spot before the half. 

3:55 p.m.

Mel Tucker loves a trick play. This time a reverse pass for a TD to take the lead before halftime. 

3:57 p.m.

Aaaaand now Onu gets burned for a huge TD ... right before half. This team is really irritating. 

4:07: Halftime

Steven Montez made the best play he's made all year in finding Brady Russell on a scramble for Russell's first touchdown of the season to put CU up 20-14 at halftime. Not an easy scramble, nor an easy pass, but he made it and suddenly the shootout we were all expecting looks like it's coming into form. 

CU is currently on pace for 596 yards today, with Arizona looking at 430. 

4:33 p.m.

Jalen Sami has a knee injury and Mikial Onu has a torso injury. Neither was in to start the second half and CU rapidly gave up a TD. 

4:57 p.m.

Look, I'm not saying Laviska is chopped liver, but Tony Brown is not a bad second option, if you're in that sort of situation. He just beat one-on-one coverage for one catch that set himself up for a TD catch on the next play. He's having a big year and possibly making himself some money. CU leads 27-21. 

5:01 p.m. 

In the time it took to write the previous update, Arizona went on a five-play scoring drive to take the lead 28-27. I need a Gatorade. 

5:08 p.m.

Arizona is finally called for a penalty today. Round of shots for everyone. 

5:11 p.m.

How could do you think Mel Tucker will let it get before he ditches the shorts? It's not exactly hot in Boulder today. Most would call it a "crisp fall day," especially if they are from someplace like Arizona. 

5:22 p.m.

Khalil Tate has a career high in passing yards. His ability to torment Colorado is unsurpassed by anything this side of late-spring snowstorms. 

5:27

Every time I look down to type, somebody scores a touchdown. 

5:35 p.m.

On a drive that's going to decide the game ... on first down ... CU gets an illegal procedure. Unreal. 

5:40 p.m.

An incomplete pass on 4th down likely ends the game. Poor buffs.