The University of Arizona football team (5-3, 2-3 in Big 12 play) crushed the University of Colorado Boulder 52-17 during the Buffs homecoming day game on Nov. 1 at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo. With this victory, the Wildcats sit with their second conference win of the season after falling in their last two games in conference play.
Offense
Arizona’s offense played impressively, starting top down with redshirt junior quarterback Noah Fifita. Fifita went 11-for-19 for 213 yards and 4 touchdowns, all of them coming in before the fourth quarter. Additionally, senior running back Ismail Madhi also had an impactful performance, adding three carries for 85 yards and a touchdown. The receiving core, led by freshman Gio Richardson, had two catches for 63 yards.
The Wildcats came out firing from all cylinders, ending the first drive with a 57-yard touchdown catch by sophomore Tre Spivey. With a field goal midway through the first and a 12-yard touchdown catch by senior Kris Hutson, the Wildcats were all systems go after the first quarter.
Arizona continued to dominate Colorado in the second quarter as freshman wide receiver Gio Richardson got a 60-yard reception for a touchdown. Once the offense got the ball back for the second drive of the quarter, the Wildcats kept firing, capping it off with a 13-yard touchdown run by redshirt senior Javin Whatley. Soon after, Whatley threw a 34-yard touchdown pass, allowing the Wildcats to roll to a 38-7 lead ending the half.
More of the same continued through the second half, with the Wildcats scoring 2 touchdowns to put the game out of reach for the Buffs.
Defense
The Wildcats’ defense forced five turnovers in a pivotal game that preserved Arizona’s bowl eligibility.
Arizona’s defense came out hot, holding Colorado to zero points, as well as causing a fumble caused by junior defensive lineman Leroy Palu and a very quick punt for the Buffaloes. The Colorado offense ended the first quarter with -12 yards and were not able to get anything going against the Wildcats.
The Wildcats stayed aggressive, as senior defensive back Dalton Johnson snagged an interception, limiting the Buffs to just 89 yards in the quarter and 77 total in the first half.
The second half of the game looked similar to the first, with the Wildcats starting off with back-to-back interceptions by junior defensive back Jay’vion Cole and senior defensive back Ayden Garnes. Along with a fumble caused by Cole near the end of the quarter, the Wildcat defense was in complete control, setting the tone for the rest of the game.
Ultimately, Arizona dominated from start to finish as Colorado was unable to make a comeback, falling to a 52-17 defeat as the Wildcats’ bowl hopes stay alive.
Looking ahead
Arizona looks to stay in the win column as the Wildcats prepare for Homecoming, hosting the University of Kansas on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 1:30 p.m. at Arizona Stadium. The game will also be streamed on ESPN2.
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