The highlight reel (below) from Thursday’s nationally televised game between the Colorado Buffaloes and UCLA Bruins tells only half the story of a 20-10 victory for the No. 15 Buffs.
Yes, Colorado emerged with a win – their seventh on the year and fifth in the Pac-12, matching their conference win total over the previous three years combined under Mike MacIntyre. But the highlight reel doesn’t show the four turnovers Colorado committed in the first half, the blocked field goal that could have extended their lead in the fourth quarter or the 12 penalties Colorado committed for 128 yards – including eight personal foul penalties.
Isaiah Oliver was one of the few standouts for the Buffs on the night, returning a punt 68 yards for the game-sealing touchdown in the fourth quarter. Oliver had a previous return in the third quarter for 42 yards that set up a game-tying field goal. Special teams struggled otherwise. Chris Graham had a kick blocked in the fourth quarter and the 21-yard attempt to tie the game, while clean, barely had the height and distance to convert. UCLA struggled as well, missing on three of four tries on the night.
On defense, Chidobe Awuzie and Kenneth Olugbode led the way for the Buffaloes. Olugbode produced Colorado’s lone takeaway, an interception on UCLA’s second possession. Awuzie had a sack and a QB pressure that led to a sack.
The Buffs struggled on offense, especially in the passing game. Sefo Liufau and Steven Montez threw a combined three interceptions and fumbled once, passing for just 160 yards and no touchdowns. Phillip Lindsay rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown to lead the Buffs’ rushing game. Liufau added 53 yards on the ground and several key second-half first down conversions.
It was an undisciplined, at times ugly, win for the Buffs – one certainly that won’t help them in the eyes of the College Football Playoff Ranking voters. Colorado turned quite a few heads when they landed at No. 15 in the first CFP ranking last week, but voters will very likely turn their noses up after this performance.
Colorado travels to Arizona next week. The Wildcats (2-6, 0-5) are at No. 25 Washington State (6-2, 5-0) on Saturday.
