The Utes entered the Saturday Afternoon matchup with Colorado with a 7-4 overall record and 4-4 record in the Pac-12. Utah had a chance to finish the Conference season with a winning record for the first time since joining the Conference. Colorado came in with a 2-9 overall record and a 0-8 record in the Pac-12. Easy win for the Utes right? I would think again. Every year that Utah and Colorado has played each other since both teams joined the Conference in 2011 have been close games. The first meeting in 2011 at Rice Eccles Stadium with a win would of clinched the Pac-12 South for Utah and a trip to the first ever Pac-12 Championship Game. The Utes fell 17-14 to Colorado in that game. In 2012, the Utes pulled out a 42-35 win over the Buffs in Boulder. Last season, the Utes were able to pick up a win at Rice Eccles Stadium over Colorado 24-17.
Utah had to really fight to come out with a win. The Utes dug themselves a small hole to start out the game as Colorado came down the field in 12 plays for 75 yards capped off by a 2 yard run by Christian Powell. The Utes answered back with a 41 yard field goal by Andy Phillips as Colorado taking a 7-3 lead to start the second quarter. With 2 touchdowns by Kaelin Clay and Christian Powell and 1 field goal by Colorado, the Buffs took a 24-16 lead into the locker room. Utah came out with a touchdown from Devontae Booker, Colorado answered with a 46 yard field goal. Senior Tight End Westlee Tonga and Buffs Wide Receiver Nelson Spruce exchanged touchdowns and a 35 yard field goal by Andy Phillips finished the 3rd quarter trailing Colorado by only 3 points. The play of the game and only scoring play of the 4th quarter came from a pick six by Dominique Hatfield put the Utes up for good to come out with a 38-34 win to put them at 8-4 on the season and 5-4 in the Pac-12.
After struggling against Arizona the previous week, Travis Wilson responded against Colorado, throwing the ball 37 times and completing 25 of those passes for 311 yards and 3 touchdowns. 2 of the 3 touchdowns went to Kaelin Clay (10 catches, 88 yards) and Westlee Tonga (3 catches, 77 yards). Kenneth Scott added 5 catches for 54 yards. Devontae Booker continues to succeed at running back for the Utes, running the ball 25 times for 95 yards and 1 touchdown.
The question now for Utah is which bowl game will they play in? I have been hearing numerous bowl games from the Holiday Bowl to the Sun Bowl. Stay tuned to ESPN 700 for the latest and up to date coverage of Utah Football.
