Utah Utes Bring Colorado Buffaloes Down To Reality In Embarrassing Loss

In arguably the most embarrassing loss of the coach Deion Sanders era, the Colorado Buffaloes suffered a 53-7 defeat at the hands of the Utah Utes on Saturday night. Kaidon Salter struggled and the Buffs' defense couldn't slow Utah quarterback Byrd Ficklin.

Oct 25, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Kam Mikell (18) recovers a fumble during the first half of a game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Just one year after dismantling the Utah Utes in Boulder, the script flipped on Saturday as the Colorado Buffaloes suffered one of their most embarrassing losses of the coach Deion Sanders era.

Colorado's defense allowed Utah freshman quarterback Byrd Ficklin to score a 63-yard rushing touchdown on only the second play of the game, and things only got worse from there. Utah closed the night with six touchdowns, three field goals and a safety en route to a 53-7 stomping of the Buffs.

Colorado fell to 3-5 (1-4 Big 12) with only four games remaining to become bowl-eligible.

This article will be updated with scoring plays and key moments throughout Colorado's Week 9 game at Utah:

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Nate Johnson Scores 56-Yard Touchdown

Score Update: Utah 53, Colorado 7 (Q4, 3:12)

On a direct snap, Utah wide receiver Nate Johnson chugged to a 56-yard touchdown up the middle to extend the Utes' lead.

Ryan Staub Scores Colorado's First Touchdown

Score Update: Utah 46, Colorado 7 (Q4, 9:03)

Early in the fourth quarter, backup Ryan Staub got the Buffs on the board with a 1-yard touchdown on a quarterback sneak. Colorado is now up to 102 yards of total offense.

End Quarter 3 Score Update: Utah 46, Colorado 0

At least defensively, Colorado performed much better in the third quarter, holding Utah to only a field goal. The Buffs' offense also totaled 61 yards but has yet to get any points on the board.

Halftime Score Update: Utah 43, Colorado 0

Utah kicker Dillon Curtis nailed a 23-yard field goal to close the half, putting the Utes up 43-0.

Colorado was out-gained 398 yards to -18 in arguably the worst half of the "Coach Prime" era.

Byrd Ficklin Throws Second Touchdown

Score Update: Utah 40, Colorado 0 (Q2, 2:08)

Freshman quarterback Byrd Ficklin, starting in play of Devon Dampier, threw his second touchdown of the night late in the first half on a 20-yard strike to Larry Simmons.

NaQuari Rogers Adds On

Score Update: Utah 33, Colorado 0 (Q2, 7:21)

Running back NaQuari Rogers scored Utah's fourth touchdown of the game, including third rushing, on a 2-yard carry midway though the second quarter.

Utah Scores Third Touchdown

Score Update: Utah 26, Colorado 0 (Q2, 12:50)

Utah scored its third touchdown of the night on a 22-yard pass from Byrd Ficklin to tight end JJ Buchanan.

Kaidon Salter's Mistake Results In Safety

Score Update: Utah 19, Colorado 0 (Q2, 14:29)

Utah was rewarded a two-point safety after Kaidon Salter was penalized for intentional grounding inside his own end zone. Colorado's offense has now totaled -2 net yards through five drives.

End Quarter 1 Score Update: Utah 17, Colorado 0

Little went right for Colorado in the first quarter. Utah totaled 203 yards to the Buffs' eight and was rewarded with two touchdowns and a field goal. Quarterback Kaidon Salter also closed the Buffs' final drive of the first quarter with an interception.

Wayshawn Parker Scores 58-Yard Touchdown

Score Update: Utah 17, Colorado 0 (Q1, 2:53)

A torrential first quarter became even worse for Colorado as Utah running back Wayshawn Parker broke off a 58-yard touchdown, giving the Utes an early 17-0 lead.

Utah Takes Two-Score Lead On Field Goal

Score Update: Utah 10, Colorado 0 (Q1, 4:30)

Placekicker Dillon Curtis gave the Utes a 10-0 lead midway through the first quarter on a 53-yard field goal.

Utah Utes Strike First On Byrd Ficklin Touchdown

Score Update: Utah 7, Colorado 0 (Q1, 14:23)

On only Utah's second play from scrimmage, quarterback Byrd Ficklin rushed for a 63-yard touchdown.

Pregame Participation Report

Game day participation report --> pic.twitter.com/b3MO2KoBBE

— Adam Munsterteiger (@adamcm777) October 26, 2025

Utah quarterback Devon Dampier was not listed as injured on Utah's pregame participation report.

For Colorado, cornerback RJ Johnson, safety Carter Stoutmire and defensive end Nikhil Webb-Walker are all game-time decisions.

Colorado Aiming To Grow Momentum

Oct 11, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Joseph Williams (8) celebrates his first down in the fourth quarter against the Iowa State Cyclones at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Momentum is a powerful commodity in college football, and the Buffs finally have some after beating Iowa State before the bye week.

"You need to win and be consistent in winning and what you did to win those particular games and what we did to lose those particular games to invoke change," Sanders said earlier this week. "I am happy with the young men that choose to do right when wrong is so prevalent. I am happy with the way they are practicing, the way they are in meetings, how attentive they are. I am seeing some changes of personalities just in the practice habits and how physical they are."

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Scouting Utah

Oct 18, 2025; Provo, Utah, USA; Utah Utes running back Daniel Bray (13) runs for a touchdown against the BYU Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

After winning only five games last season, the Utes have matched that total already with Dampier, running back Wayshawn Parker (358 rushing yards, three touchdowns) and wide receiver Ryan Davis (482 receiving yards, three touchdowns) leading the charge offensively. Utah also owns one of college football's best offensive linemen in Spencer Fano.

Defensively, safety Jackson Bennee (36 total tackles, three interceptions) and defensive end John Henry Daley (nine sacks, 12 tackles for loss) have been Utah's most productive players. The Utes allow just over 300 yards per game and a minuscule 15.3 points.