Takeaways: Utah Football falls to the Colorado Buffaloes, 49-24
Nov 16, 2024, 2:33 PM | Updated: Nov 18, 2024, 2:15 pm
Boulder, CO.— In a packed Folsom Field, Colorado and Utah went to battle. The Utes put up a tough, gritty effort for most of the game; unfortunately, the issues that have plagued Utah all season long continue to be an issue today.
Utah fell to Colorado 49-24, as the Buffs scored 21 in the 4th quarter alone to put the game away. Utah’s defense did a lot to keep the team in the game but Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter just proved to be too much.
Final.
Utah: 24
Colorado: 49— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 16, 2024
Utah vs Colorado 1st Half Summary
On the first play from scrimmage, Shedeur Sanders took the snap, made a throw, and Lander Barton intercepted a pass. He then proceeded down the sideline and returned it 17 yards to the Colorado 21-yard line. Perhaps this takeaway would be the spark the team needed.
The offense took the field and advanced into the red zone. Utah had it 3rd and goal from the 4, Isaac Wilson took the snap and sprinted out to his left. He was sacked and Utah had to settle for a field goal.
The defense continued to show promising signs on Colorado’s second offensive series. Logan Fano had a sack, and Keanu Tanuvasa had a pressure, which forced a throwaway on the next play. Utah had Colorado in 3rd and 24, then Colorado completed a 19-yard pass and advanced to the Utah 40-yard line.
On 4th and 5, Sanders completed a deep pass to Will Sheppard for the game’s first touchdown. That started a surge of momentum for the Buffs.
On the ensuing Utah possession, the Utes went three and out. They punted, and Colorado’s LaJohntay Wester returned it 76 yards for another touchdown.
Colorado would score another touchdown before the end of the half. The drive included a highlight reel catch by Travis Hunter that setup an easy pitch and catch for the score on the next play.
Utah responded with a drive that netted them a field goal as the clock expired on the half. It was Colorado 21, Utah 9.
Utah vs Colorado 2nd Half Summary
In the second half, Utah opened the half with a turnover. Isaac Wilson threw an interception that set the Buffs up in plus-territory. They scored on the first play of the drive, a 37-yard Isaiah Augustave run up the middle.
The two teams would exchange empty possessions, both ending in a punt.
Then, on the third possession of the half, Wilson threw a 40-yard strike to Dorian Singer flying down the sideline. To that point of the game, it had been a pretty quiet day for Utah’s leading receiver. He had three receptions for 16 yards to that point; then scored Utah’s first touchdown of the game and his first of the season.
Colorado scored another touchdown to start the fourth quarter. It was 3rd and 12 and Sanders completed a pass to Drelon Miller, who caught it at the 26 and then took the rest of the way for the score. That put Colorado up 35-16.
Utah then put together the most impressive offensive possession of the season. Wilson completed a pass to Carsen Ryan for 23 yards to start the drive, then a completion to Singer for 9 yards, then converted a 3rd down with a completion to McClain.
That put Utah 1st and 10 at the Colorado 40-yard line. Wilson then completed another 25-yard pass to Ryan, another 9 yard pass to Ryan, and then touchdown pass to Lohner- who simply boxed out the cornerback behind him.
After that though, Utah was unable to get the stops or put together drives. Colorado ultimately put their foot down and scored two more touchdowns.
Utah’s ground game has disappeared
We’re to the point of the season where Utah’s run game has disappeared. That’s weird to say. Unfortunately, the rushing attack finished with 31 total yards. Obviously, -19 yards on sacks contributes to that, but that’s still only 50 positive yards for the ground game.
The offensive line did not play to the level their capable of. This Colorado defense is improved but the Utah offensive line could not get much push at the line. That created limited opportunities for Utah’s running backs.
Opposing defenses have loaded up against the run game and all but eliminated it at this point. Essentially, daring Utah to throw the ball. The success of the passing game wasn’t there until the second half but by then it was far too late.
The battle of havoc plays and takeaways
The defense started the game with an interception. The pressure was constant and sometimes led to sacks or throw aways. There were two other turnovers the defense forced. There has been a greater point of emphasis on takeaways and havoc plays, which the defense got them today.
Unfortunately, the offense suffered from too many Colorado havoc plays. Wilson threw three interceptions and he was relentlessly pressured throughout the game as well.
Utah finished with 3 sacks and 3 takeaways; Colorado finished the game with 4 sacks and 4 takeaways.
Isaac Wilson’s interceptions
Isaac Wilson threw three interceptions on the day. The first one was an unfortunate bounce off the hands of receiver Munir McClain. The ball was impacted by the wind but that’s one that McClain needs to haul in.
The second interception he threw came early on Utah’s opening possession of the second half. It was a throw to Landen King over the middle of the field.
Pre-snap, Colorado showed a cover-2 shell with two safeties deep and linebackers in the box. That suggests the middle of the field is open.
Post-snap, the middle linebacker dropped deep and essentially became a third deep safety in the middle of the field. This is Tampa 2 coverage, which led the linebacker exactly where he needed to be to secure the interception. That speaks to the learning curve for a true freshman.
The last interception was just a ball that Wilson cannot throw. Given the circumstances, Wilson likely tried to force a play to make something happen.
The Power of Belief
Being here at Colorado, seeing the stadium packed to the brim, and the energy in the air was a jolt to the system. In Utah’s two previous trips to Boulder, the atmosphere was quite the opposite.
Thinking back on Coach Sanders’ infamous “Do you believe?” moment, it’s quite clear the belief everyone in black and gold has in the Buffs right now.
It provided a stark contrast to the lack of belief in and around Utah’s offense. It’s been a difficult season for many reasons, chief among them being the mounting injury list. Utah’s inability to find and sustain offensive success to this point in the season feels like things are just broken.
At some point, someone has to rebuild an unwavering belief in the Utah offense. But it’s not just “belief” in and of itself. It’s a belief it’s the entire process— the work in the offseason, the coaching and refinement of fundamentals, and then the performance.
Unfortunately, the cracks are starting to show throughout the two other units. The defense has been on the field a lot this season. This unit has shown up just about each and every game but have come up just a play or two short. This game was the toughest challenge and unfortunately, the defense wore down by the end of the game.
Lack of details. Little things hurting Utah.
It’s little things that continue to hurt Utah. Coach Whittingham often talks about “cutting down turnovers” or “improving completion percentage” as what the offense needs. The issues are way more detailed than that.
Wilson’s fundamentals can slip at times. Kickoff or punt coverage defender can go too wide or inside and create lanes for big returns.
It’s little things that are creating issues for Utah. The little things have mounted over the weeks now and it led to Colorado putting up 49 points and Utah struggling to score 24.
