Utah vs. No. 21 Colorado Live Thread: Utes Win 38-21
Utah will have a chance to make a statement on national television.
In what is expected to be a showdown in the snow with the entire nation watching, Utah will travel to Boulder to face Colorado on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. MT. The game will be broadcast on FOX following the cancelation of the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry game.
This is huge opportunity for both the Utes and Buffaloes as FOX will have its 'A' team call the game in Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt and Jenny Taft on the call. It will the premier game in the nation for that time slot, with most of the eyes of the country watching.
The game was originally expected to be played on Friday night and air on FS1. But with the Ohio State-Michigan cancelation, it left FOX with an open slot. The Utah-Colorado game was by far the best option, especially with the Buffaloes coming at No. 21 in the latest CFP rankings and Utah notching its first win of the season last week.
What makes Saturday morning special for this young Utah team as it's the first time they'll be playing in a game where the words "underdog" and "spoiler" will be synonymous with who they are. The Utes are also hoping that a victory against the Buffaloes will be the last time those words are are associated with the program.
“It felt great. A ‘W’ is a ‘W',” junior wide receiver Britain Covey said following Utah's 30-24 win over Oregon State on Saturday. “This is a young team. There are a lot of things to learn. This season, you’ve got to find the positives in it. We’re so happy to get a win. We’re sick of losing.”
It's not going to be easy for the Utes as the game will be at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado. With temperatures hovering around freezing and snow flurries expected, it's going to be a battle in the trenches as both teams feature prominent running games with subpar passing capabilities.
Utah freshman running back Ty Jordan, the reigning Pac-12 freshman of the week, Colorado sophomore Jarek Broussard, the nation's No. 2 rusher, are expected to be the stars and shine brightest given the weather conditions. But they'll both be going up against talented front sevens that pride themselves on stopping the run and make teams one dimensional.
Follow this livestream for updates and analysis. You can also follow @Ryan_Kostecka and @UtahUtes_SI on Twitter for up-to-the-second action.
PREGAME
*30 minutes before kickoff, temperature is currently 22 degrees with no snow falling. However, there is a solid dusting of snow on the field
*Snow is expected to fall throughout parts of the game, potentially putting a damper on throwing the ball
*Curious to see what Jake Bentley looks like throwing a football in the snow. Have to wonder if this is his first time playing in this sort of inclement weather...
*Wide receiver Britain Covey is no longer limited after getting in a full week of practice — he's good to go
*Fellow wide receivers Bryan Thompson and Samson Nacua are back healthy and should be full participants.
*Starting center Orlando Umana is expected to dress but will not see action unless in an emergency situation.
FIRST QUARTER
*Colorado has won the toss and deferred. Utah will receive to start the game…
*Utah will begin the game with the ball at its own 40 after a nice return by Covey...
*Bentley to Kuithe on the first play, wish is exactly what you want to see. 24-yard catch and run and the ball is now at Colorado 36
*Jordan's burst is unreal, just blasting through the line to get into the second level. First carry goes for 17 yards. Ball at the Colorado 10
*On third down, Bentley connects with Enis on a delayed slant route for the 6-yd TD pass
Utah 7 - Colorado 0
12:03 left 1Q
Scoring Drive: 6 plays, 60 yards in 2:57
Great opening drive ends with a 6-yd TD pass from Bentley to Enis
*Impressive opening drive by the Utes. Great mix of runs and passes, including getting Bentley out of the pocket to make some plays. By far the best he's looked this early in a game...
*Great play-calling by Ludwig. Getting the ball to his playmakers and having them go north-to-south really fast. OL got loose and looked dominant. Capitalizing in the red zone… huge start for the Utes
*Colorado will begin with the ball at its own 10 after a holding penalty on the Buffs
*If you had Colorado throwing the ball every time on its first four plays, head to Vegas now and bet the house….
*Sack by freshman safety Nate Ritchie forces a third-and-long, and the Utes get off the field by forcing a Colorado punt.
*Utah begins its second drive with great field position at its own 45...
*Love what Scalley is doing early. He’s loading the box and forcing Noyer to throw, while playing tight coverage with his secondary. He figures his defensive front can get to Noyer if the DB’s can lockdown early on
*Creative play call on first down sets up a TE screen to Kuithe, who then gets 19 yards to put the ball into the Colorado territory
*Utah looks completely different on offense with just a little bit of creativity and getting the ball to the playmakers. It’s a shocking difference and makes you wonder how good this team really could be…
*Bentley with his first miss of the day on third down... had a wide open Kuithe but just overthrew him. Utah forced to punt and Colorado will take over at its own 5...
*Not a good look by Bentley. He had a wide open Kuithe (like WIDE OPEN) and for whatever reason just sails the ball on him. Is it the cold or what? Either way, that’s the sort of play that keep Utah from being elite and dominant on offense…
*Utah's defense is absolutely swarming right now. Keeping things in front of them and rallying to the ball. Mataele with a great pass breakup on third down to force another Colorado punt.
*Covey gets a 7 yard return, Utah takes over at own 45 with 6:10 to play in opening quarter...
*Really impressed with Utah’s defensive backs this season. After replacing ALL 5 starters from last years, four of which are underclassmen now, they’ve consistently risen to the challenge and get better every single week…
*Really curious at which point Dorrell and Colorado will realize they have the nation’s leading rusher and give him the ball. He doesn’t have a single carry through Colorado’s first two drives…
*Utah goes three-and-out on offense as Colorado flies around to force a net gain of three yards
*Colorado will take over at own 19 after a fair catch
*Broussard’s first carry goes for no gain… but Noyer then hooks up with Nixon for a 41-yard gain to Utah’s 39
*Colorado fumble, Tupai with the hit. Ritchie recovers. Utah takes over at own 43...
*Another three-and-out by Utah’s offense, which has completely lost momentum after opening drive…
*Utah's offense, while staying somewhat creative, has failed to make any adjustments since the opening drive. Colorado is adjusting and the Utes simply aren't, hence the lack of offense since that opening scoring drive
*Colorado takes over at own 10 with just over a minute left in the first quarter
*Final play of the quarter is a 41-yd throw and catch from Noyer to Shenault. Phillips got burned and was then whistled for PI, but Shenault still hauled it in… CU ball at Utah 35
Utah 7 - Colorado 0
End of 1Q
*Utah with a dominant opening drive, but nothing since then. Defense playing well with a TO already. CU ball at Utah 35 on 1st-and-10 upcoming...
Utah vs. Colorado — First Quarter Stats
*Noyer has an absolute cannon, and looks a lot better than I thought he would as a former safety... connects with Maurice Bell with a 21-yard TD pass...
Utah 7 - Colorado 7
12:46 left 2Q
Scoring Drive: 11 plays, 90 yards, 3:33
Noyer with two big passing plays to even up the score
*Not much the Utah DB's could've done as it was a great route and even better throw against Utah's patented Cover-2 defense...
*Covey is swarmed on the return, Utah will begin with the ball at its own 11
*Bentley to Enis for 16 yards is ruled a catch, but the ball hit the turf and will be ruled incomplete. Enis was wide open and Bentley missed him again...
*Good play by Bentley, who’s flushed from the pocket, hits Enis on 3rd-and-10 for a 20-yard gain…
*Those last two pass plays by Bentley are what makes him so frustrating. On one end, misses a wide open Enis for a first down. Then he does a great job of extending the play and makes a great throw to Enis for a huge first down pickup...
*Utah with another big pickup on third down, this time with Bentley connecting with Covey for a 13-yard gain
*Fotheringham just hurdled a Colorado defensive player, had absolutely no idea he was that athletic...
*The drive comes to an absolute halt as Bentley badly misses on an overthrow and Colorado easily gets the INT. Buffs ball at own 17 with 9:07 left in the half…
*This is beyond baffling and has to stop. I’m having a difficult time believing that Bentley and his turnovers gives Utah a significantly better chance at winning compared to Lisk… anybody disagree?!?
*Apparently Bentley got his hand hit on the throw... but hard to imagine it affected the overthrow that much...
*Colorado with the momentum and doing much of its damage through the air, which is what the Utes are daring the Buffs to do. Utah gives up a first down on third-and-9...
*Noyer in a great rhythm right now… Utah daring him to beat the Utes by stacking the box and he’s doing so. Utes need to find a way to get pressure and break up the timing of his passes…
*Utah's defense finally gets its stop and forces a Colorado punt. Buffs have flipped the field and the Utes will take over at own 20 with 5:21 left in the half...
*Sort of a big drive upcoming for the offense. Haven’t had much success until that last drive ended in a Bentley INT. CU gets the ball after the half, Utes could use a long drive that ends in a score…
*WOW, Bentley missed a wide open Kuithe for what should've been a 20-yard gain — and it wasn't even close. Kuithe definitely showing some frustration after that throw...
*Another questionable throw by Bentley but Covey somehow hauls it in and picks up the first down...
*Colorado star LB Nate Landman just dropped on the field with a non-contact injury. He's in a lot of pain and it doesn't look good... only reason Fotheringham was wide open...
*Landman was dropping into coverage and planted to move break sideways but then just crumpled. Thought he might have slipped on the snow, but it seems much worse than that… Prayers Up…
*Should be noted thatL Landman is an absolute Warrior. He picks up the slack for this Colorado defense in a lot of ways. Already has 6 tackles late in the 2Q. He was helped off the field but in serious pain...
*Utah fails to convert on third down as Colorado gets the sack. And then Brenden Rice takes the punt back for a TD...
Utah 7 - Colorado 14
1:30 left 2Q
Utah’s punt coverage forgets to do its job and Brenden Rice takes it back 81 yards for the score…
*Covey's return gives Utah the ball at its own 42. Huge drive upcoming as the Utes need points on this drive considering the Buffs get the ball to start the 3Q...
*Shocker, Bentley misses a wide open Covey who had nothing but green in front of him... Utah forced to punt...
*It’s beyond baffling how bad Utah’s offense has looked since the opening drive. Bentley has missed a handful of huge throws already… just out of rhythm and out of sync… not sure what needs to change but something does…
*Colorado fumbles and Utah recovers with 10 seconds left... Utes ball at CU 40...
*Two pass plays to Covey will force a Utah 43-yd FG attempt by Redding…
Utah 10 - Colorado 14
HALFTIME
Utah capitalizes on the fumble and turns into a 43-yd FG by Redding
HALFTIME
Utah vs. Colorado — Halftime Stats
*Back to Bentley’s missed throw to Covey. Jordan was seen on camera just shaking his head staring at Bentley after the throw. This team has zero confidence in him as a QB to lead them to victory… is a change upcoming…???
*Utes doing a good job in rush defense, holding Broussard to just 30 yards and Noyer to 8. But Noyer is doing a good job through the air... Utes must dial up more pressure
*Jordan has had a rough go of things except for two big runs. Utah must find a way to get the running game going because Bentley won't win this game with his arm...
*Utah has struggled with halftime adjustments this season, curious to see what Whittingham and Ludwig do differently on offense. Scalley doing a solid job defensively...
THIRD QUARTER
*Colorado to begin with the ball at its own 39
*That was fast. First play of the half is a 61-yard catch and run by Rice for a Colorado TD
Utah 10 - Colorado 21
14:39 left 3Q
Brenden Rice, Jerry’s son, takes a bubble screen and outruns the Utah defense for a 61-yd TD. Bad angles and tackling by the Utes on that one…
*BIG DRIVE UPCOMING. Utah doesn't need to score but cannot afford a turnover or three-and-out... a lot of pressure upcoming on Bentley. Curious to see how that TD changes Utah's play-calling...
*Utah will start with ball at own 25...
*Welcome to the game Ty Jordan. He runs for 35 yards to put the ball at CU 25... now Utes must capitalize...
*TOUCHDOWN JORDAN!!!
Utah 17 - Colorado 21
13:14 left 3Q
Scoring Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards in 1:25
Jordan got loose and picked up 53 yards in two carries, the last of which was an 18-yd TD run
*That's one heck of a response by the Utah offense. With Landman out, Utes believe they can run at will on the Buffaloes and it showed there...
*Colorado will begin with the ball at its own 25...
*Heck of a play by Broughton, came up to stop Colorado short of the marker on 3rd-and-4, forcing a CU punt...
*Covey got blasted — the man legitimately has no fear!!! Utah ball at own 20…
*Bentley fields the low snap with his knee down, Utes will have 2nd-and-15… Pac-12 officials got one right...
*Bentley with a dime between the DB and S to hit Bryan Thompson in stride for a 30-yard gain...
*Another great play by Bentley, who stayed in the pocket to hit Covey for the first down... who then made a great play to get the first down...
*Covey looks beat right now… which is understandable. He’s been extremely active today in his first real full-game action of the season with no limitations…
*TOUCHDOWN COVEY!!! CU brings the house and Bentley stays calm and hits Covey for a 20-yard touchdown pass...
Utah 24 - Colorado 21
6:23 left 3Q
Scoring Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards in 5:28
Bentley stands in the pocket and hits Covey with a dime for a TD pass… looked so much better
*Bentley looked dangerous on that drive, standing strong in the pocket and delivering the ball with confidence...
*And Covey is a bad, bad man!!!
*Colorado begins with the ball at own 25...
*Nephi Sewell INT… Sewell just dropped into coverage and Noyer never saw him. Utes take over at midfield…
*HELLO BENTLEY. He avoids the sack and then breaks multiple tackles and rumbles for a 13-yd gain...
*Great run by Bernard — even better block by Enis. The Kuithe with a great play by breaking multiple tackles to put the ball at CU 7...
*This is where needs to stomp on Colorado’s throat!!! Capitalize with the TD. The Utes have struggled in this spot the past few weeks…
*WOW… Bentley had TE Dalton Kincaid wide open, with nobody in the area code. Bentley missed him initially… 4th-and-1…
*Then the Utes get fancy and go wildcat with Kuithe at QB. Another bad snap by Ford… Utes stuffed!!! Utah refuses to get out of its own way… so sad to see…
*Colorado ball at own 3 to start their drive...
Utah 24 - Colorado 21
End of 3Q
Utah responds with two TD's in the quarter to take the lead, but you have to wonder if that goalline blunder will cost them later on...
Stats through 3 Quarters
FOURTH QUARTER
*Alright Utah fans… how nervous are you leading 24-21 entering the 4th quarter? We are about to find out if Ludwig and Utah’s offense will make the necessary adjustments…
*Tafua hits Noyer on third down to force the incomplete pass… CU forced to punt
*Covey with a 28-yd punt return as the Utes will have the ball at its own 47
*Bentley looks significantly better this half except for that third down play at the goalline… just picked up a first down with a smart throw to Thompson. He's going through his progressions and not panicking...
*4th-and-4 upcoming from the CU 25. Utah going to go with a 43-yd FG attempt by Redding
Utah 27 - Colorado 21
9:19 left 4Q
Scoring Drive: 7 plays, 28 yards in 3:49
Utah capitalizes on Covey’s punt return but settles for 3 points…
*Colorado will begin its drive at its own 25
*Noyer tries to take Sewell head on and it doesn’t go well for him. Not only is he stood up, he’s then slammed to the ground. Appeared to be in pain but walked off under his own power…
*Noyer is heading to the locker room and Tyler Lytle is now in at QB for Colorado. Expect to see a healthy dose of Broussard from here on out…
*Noyer has returned from the locker room and jogged back to the sideline with his helmet on. But Lytle runs a QB draw on 3rd-and-4 for a huge pickup. Noyer now in…
*Under 6 to play and Colorado driving down the field and taking a lot fo time with them as well... huge 3rd-and-6 upcoming at Utah 35 yard line...
*Illegal formation on CU is declined… 4th-and-5 at Utah 35. Colorado takes a timeout to discuss what to do
*Assuming Utah gets the ball back with the lead, they CANNOT get conservative. They have to keep pushing the envelope and look to score rather than just run out the clock…
*Ball is knocked down by Viane Moala, Utah takes over at own 35... HUGE STOP
Utah 35 - Colorado 21
4:43 left 4Q
Scoring Drive: 1 plays, 66 yards in :11
Great blocks by the Utes leads to massive TD run by Jordan on the first play. Bentley then connects with Kincaid for the 2-pt conversion
*Colorado takes over at own 18
*Utah stops Colorado on 4th down, offense takes over at CU 18 late in the game…
*4th-and-12 upcoming from at CU 20... 37-yd FG attempt by Redding upcoming...
Utah 38 - Colorado 21 2:24 left 4Q
Scoring Drive: 4 plays, -2 yards in 1:52
Redding knocks through a 38-yd FG as the Utes have score 28 straight points in the second half…
*Colorado will start the drive at its own 22, Lytle in at QB
*Sewell breaks up a pass on 4th down, Utah takes over at CU 27 with 1:45 to play and Colorado out of timeouts
UTAH 38 - COLORADO 21
FINAL
Utes rally with 28 straight points in the second half to get the win and become .500 on the season...
Utah vs. Colorado — Final Stats
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