Arizona State at Colorado: Game notes and highlights

Colorado faces the rare “must win” scenario despite their 3-7 record. The Buffaloes need to win out to avoid the worst win total under Coach Prime. Bowl eligibility is off the table, but the most polarizing college football coach needs wins. Even if there’s nothing to win.

This game early saw five punts in six possessions. Colorado had a big opportunity on their first drive. On a first down, Julian Lewis bought some time and threw a very catchable ball to Omarion Miller on a crossing route at about the ASU 15. Miller dropped that pass and Colorado was forced to punt a few plays later.

On the third possession, Arizona State went up 3-0 as their drive stalled in the red zone. Four possessions later, ASU quarterback Jeff Sims connects with running back Demarius Robinson for a short gain. Safety Tawfiq Byard hit Robinson and popped the ball loose. Senior defensive end Keaton Wade recovered the ball inbounds for a Colorado takeaway. Four plays later, Colorado would turn the ball over on downs inside the redzone.

After an ASU three and out, Colorado got the ball back. Quantrell Farrakhan Jr would return that punt to the Colorado 43. On first down to start that drive, running back Micah Welch broke a 39-yard run. Welch now owns the top two longest runs for the CU running game. 44 and 39 respectively. Three plays later, running back Dallan Hayden would walk the ball in the endzone virtually untouched.

Deion Sanders before the start of the second quarter:

“Well the defense came to play. We had a great week of practice, both sides of the ball, and the defense came to play. Our special teams we’re going to do what we do, we’re typically pretty consistent with that. We gotta start moving the ball offensively. The running game is kicking up so you might see more of that.”

Arizona State began the second quarter with two big plays. A 25-yard pass to McClain and a bit of trickery with a 19-yard pass to defensive lineman B Lono-Wong (who was eligible on that play). Sims would miss Jordyn Tyson in back left corner of the endzone. ASU turn over on downs on the Colorado 17-yard line.

On the second play of the new drive, Lewis hit O. Miller on an RPO for 15 yards and a CU first down. Three plays later, Colorado gained zero yards and was forced to punt. On the following possession, ASU put together 31 yards in 3 plays. A few plays later, Sims would rush for a 7 yard gain before throwing a 33-yard pass on 4^th & 2 to starting running back Raleek Brown for a touchdown. Brown then opted to do the “Deion Shuffle” endzone celebration in the south endzone.

After a 5-yard penalty to start the drive, Lewis hits Joseph Williams for a 13-yard gain. Lewis would scramble on the next play for 6-yards, but Williams would get shaken up blocking for that play. A roughing the passer penalty moved Colorado 15 yards closer. Lewis would take a 40 yard endzone shot to Miller that was about three yards too wide. Colorado would give up a sack on 4^th down.

On the very first play of ASU’s following possession, Sims would get intercepted by John Slaughter. The pass sailed and Slaughter climbed the ladder to go get the timely interception. That drive would stall and Colorado would punt.

Under a minute to play in the half and the Sun Devils got the ball back on their own 20-yard line. On a 2^nd & 20, ASU running back Brown broke through for a 59-yard run taking the Sun Devils all the way down to the Colorado 21. WR Tyson threw a receiver pass to Wigglesworth that was at least 5 yards too deep. Arizona State would connect on a 39-yard field goal after three consecutive incompletions. 

Arizona State leads Colorado 13-7 at halftime. 

Team Stats

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