Colorado Buffaloes Hit New Low In Homecoming Loss To Arizona Wildcats

BOULDER — Coach Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes reached a new low on Saturday evening in Boulder.

After getting blown out by the Utah Utes last weekend, Colorado was unable to right the ship against the Arizona Wildcats in another embarrassing 52-17 loss. Kaidon Salter, Julian Lewis, Ryan Staub and even Dominiq Ponder saw time at quarterback, although the position remains unclear moving forward.

Coach Deion Sanders' Buffs are now 3-6 (1-5 Big 12) with a road game against the West Virginia Mountaineers up next.

This article will be updated with scoring plays and key moments from Colorado's Saturday evening (5 p.m. MT, Fox Sports 1) battle with Arizona:

Final Score: Arizona 52, Colorado 17

End Quarter 3 Score Update: Arizona 52, Colorado 14

Arizon's Kedrick Reescano Scores 1-Yard Touchdown

Score Update: Arizona 52, Colorado 14 (Q3, 9:13)

Julian Lewis Throws First Career Touchdown Pass

Score Update: Arizona 45, Colorado 14 (Q3, 10:20)

Fresh off the bench, quarterback Julian Lewis threw his first career touchdown pass on a 59-yard strike to Omarion Miller.

Ismail Mahdi Finds The End Zone

Score Update: Arizona 45, Colorado 7 (Q3, 12:11)

Arizona took a 45-7 lead following a 7-yard rushing touchdown from Ismail Mahdi.

Javin Whatley Scores Second Touchdown

Score Update: Arizona 38, Colorado 7 (Q2, 0:21)

A 34-yard touchdown pass from Fifita to Whatley put the Wildcats up 38-7 late in the second quarter.

Javin Whatley Rushes For 12-Yard Touchdown

Score Update: Arizona 31, Colorado 7 (Q2, 4:53)

After a Kaidon Salter interception, Arizona's Javin Whatley turned the mistake into points on a 12-yard touchdown rush.

Arizona Answers Back

Score Update: Arizona 24, Colorado 7 (Q2, 12:38)

It didn't take long for Arizona to respond as wide receiver Gio Richardson ripped off a 60-yard touchdown pass on the fourth play on the Wildcats' ensuing drive.

Colorado's Omarion Miller Scores Touchdown

Score Update: Arizona 17, Colorado 7 (Q2, 14:28)

Kaidon Salter and wide receiver Omarion Miller connected on an 8-yard touchdown pass to begin the second half, cutting Colorado's deficit from 17 to 10 after the extra point. The Buffs traveled 75 yards on 17 plays en route to the touchdown.

End Quarter 1 Score Update: Arizona 17, Colorado 0

Colorado ended the first quarter in a 17-point deficit with all three phases struggling.

Arizona Capitalizes on Kaidon Salter Fumble

Score Update: Arizona 17, Colorado 0 (Q1, 7:08)

Another embarrassing first quarter continued for Colorado as Fifita hit wide receiver Kris Hutson for a 12-yard touchdown, giving the Wildcats a 17-0 lead.

Michael Salgado-Medina Hits 49-Yard Field Goal

Score Update: Arizona 10, Colorado 0 (Q1, 7:56)

Arizona took a 10-point lead midway through the first quarter courtesy of a 49-yard field goal from Michael Salgado-Medina. Linebacker Shaun Myers recorded two tackles for loss on the eight-play, 19-yard drive.

Arizona Scores 57-Yard Touchdown On Third Play

Score Update: Arizona 7, Colorado 0 (Q1, 13:53)

On only Arizona's third play from scrimmage, wide receiver Tre Spivey scored a 57-yard touchdown on a screen pass. Spivey broke several tackles soon after the catch and went untouched for about the final 35 yards.

Ray Lewis Visits Deion Sanders Pregame

Coach Prime 🤝 Ray Lewis pic.twitter.com/2SiVhJXKng
— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) November 1, 2025

After speaking with the Buffs earlier this week, all-time great NFL linebacker Ray Lewis was on the field pregame meeting with coach Deion Sanders.

Scouting the Arizona Wildcats

Live Score Updates Colorado Buffaloes Homecoming Game vs. Arizona Wildcats Deion Sanders Kaidon Salter Big 12 College Footbal — Oct 11, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Brent Brennan celebrates during the second quarter of the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

At 4-3, Arizona has already matched its win total from last season under the leadership of second-year coach Brent Brennan. The Wildcats' defense has taken a great step forward, and Fifita is enjoying a bounce-back year with 1,829 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and four interceptions.

"Coach Prime" spoke about Arizona's starting quarterback during his weekly press conference on Tuesday.

"A good young man," Sanders said of Fifita. "I remember after the first year (2023), he was rated really high, and he should have been. I think he had a down year last year because of the change of coaching and the change of the offense. But this kid, to me, he's a pro. He can play. He can spin it, throw it. If you give him time, he's going to make things happen."

Other Wildcats to know include running back Ismail Mahdi (445 rushing yards), wide receiver Javin Whatley (370 receiving yards) and defensive back Genesis Smith (42 tackles, seven passes defended).

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Arizona's wins this season have come against Hawaii, Weber State, Kansas State and Oklahoma State. Iowa State, BYU and Houston have all beaten the Wildcats.

Colorado lost to Arizona at home in 2023 before defeating the Wildcats in Tucson last year, 34-7. All-time, the Buffs are 17-10 against their former Pac-12 Conference rival.