On Friday night, the Colorado Buffaloes attempted to right their wrongs against the Arizona Wildcats after coming off of the most disappointing loss of the season. The Buffaloes fell 41-34 in an overtime thriller to Oregon State on Saturday with bowl aspirations on their mind and needed just one win to accomplish their goal.
What they got was a shootout — and another loss.
Colorado fell to Arizona 42-34 as the Wildcats used a huge second quarter to secure the victory.
The Friday night showdown was a game of runs as both teams defense showed up early but used a big second quarter to be the difference in the game.
Colorado started the game with three straight defensive stops and were given outstanding field position but could only muster an 8-yard touchdown on the play that saw K.D Nixon go down briefly with an injury and a 25-yard field goal to head into the second quarter with a 10-0 lead.
After the Wildcats’ disastrous start, both teams came alive in the second quarter, combining for 40 total points.
Khalil Tate threw for three of his five touchdowns in the game by half and was a dominant force for the Wildcats’ offense. He finished 17-for-22 and threw for 350 yards, five touchdowns and an interception.
Although Wildcats running back J.J Taylor did not score in the game, he did make his mark. He recorded 192 yards on 40 carries and opened things up for Arizona.
Buffaloes quarterback Steven Montez also had himself a game as far as numbers are concerned. Montez had three touchdowns combined in the past three games, but bounced back with three touchdowns in Friday night’s game. He was constantly under pressure and got hit plenty but showed resiliency and keeping Colorado in the game.
At the half, the Wildcats led 26-24 as Lucas Havrisik hit a field goal as the first half time expired.
The second half was all about the Wildcats.
Colorado struck first as Montez found Tony Brown for a 20-yard touchdown to put the Buffaloes on the board first. Colorado regained the lead in the third quarter, but that would be short lived, and the Wildcats would not look back after.
Tate responded with another strike as he found senior WR Shawn Poindexter for his second touchdown on the day with a 39-yard dart that put the Wildcats up 32-31. He then found Cedric Peterson in the fourth quarter to cap off another huge day against the Buffaloes for a 57-yard TD to cap off his big day and shutting the door on a Buffaloes win.
Following Saturday’s road loss, CU will look to rebound as they have dropped four straight games. They desperately look for one final win to be bowl eligible and things will not be easier as they welcome in the No. 8 Washington State Cougars on Saturday.