The Colorado Buffaloes lost their fourth straight game Saturday evening and continued to look like an unserious football team, falling to the No. 25 Arizona State Sun Devils, 42-17. The Buffs are now 3-8 overall and 1-7 in the Big 12.
Star freshman quarterback Julian Lewis looked like a true freshman, completing just 50% of his passes for 161 yards. His receivers did not help him out much with several drops, but it was a bad night all around for the Colorado passing attack. Colorado could not capitalize on four Arizona State turnovers (one three points), including one that put the ball inside the Sun Devils’ 10-yard line.
Defensively, it was much of the same story. A depleted group, especially at linebacker, could not stop the run, once again, giving up 355 yards. It is nearly impossible to win a football game by giving up that many rushing yards.
Colorado now enters the final week of the season with many more questions than answers, including about the coaching staff and next season’s roster.
If you want to relive the Buffs’ third straight loss and third blowout loss of the season, it is all documented for you below.
FINAL: Arizona State 42, Colorado 17
- Total Yards: Arizona State 580, Colorado 300
It was another night to forget for the Colorado Buffaloes, who lost by 14-plus points for the fifth time this season. They have now lost four straight games. They also allowed 300 yards rushing for the third time.
Arizona State adds on a garbage time score — Arizona State 42, Colorado 17 (1:20 Q4)
The embarrassment continues for the Buffaloes as the Sun Devils score their third rushing touchdown of the evening.
Colorado goes three-and-out for the fifth time — (7:54 Q4)
That should about do it for the Buffs, who could not get anything going offensively, especially in the passing game.
Sun Devils continue to gash the Buffaloes on the ground — Arizona State 35, Colorado 17 (8:48 Q4)
Arizona State is now up to 297 rushing yards, with starting running back Raleek Brown having 240 yards. The Sun Devils’ most recent drive featured six plays, all runs, totaling 74 yards.
Colorado can’t answer and punts again — (11:47 Q4)
Julian Lewis has looked like a freshman tonight, and that continued on the Buffs’ second drive of the fourth quarter. Three incompletions on that drive brought his stat line to 16-33, a 48% completion rate.
A huge turn of events in Boulder — Arizona State 28, Colorado 17 (13:30 Q4)
Colorado’s offense completes a massive third-and-23 conversion with Sincere Brown, but on the next play, instead of giving the ball to a trusted back like Dallan Hayden or Micah Welch, walk-on Ronald Coleman gets the carry and immediately drops the ball. Arizona State recovers the ball, and on the very next play, Raleek Brown takes it 88 yards to the house. You can’t make this stuff up, folks.
End of 3rd quarter: Arizona State 21, Colorado 17
- Total Yards: Arizona State 375, Colorado 234
The Sun Devils end the third quarter with their fourth turnover of the game and third fumble. Raleek Brown burst through the middle for a 20-yard gain and hurdled a couple of Colorado defenders, but inexplicably dropped the ball.
Colorado forced to punt once again — (0:11 Q3)
Julian Lewis had tight end Zach Atkins wide open on third down, but could not get anything going after starting the drive with a 22-yard gain.
Colorado once again can’t take full advantage, but adds three — Arizona State 21, Colorado 17 (5:25 Q3)
Alejandro Mata drills a 28-yard field goal after Julian Lewis nearly fumbled while being sacked—some very questionable play calling on third down, opting not to run the ball.
Jeff Sims’ turnover problems continue to show up — (7:32 Q3)
After a three-and-out for Colorado’s offense, linebacker Shaun Myers picked off Sims after a terrible decision from the ASU quarterback to pitch the ball. The Buffaloes now have the ball inside the Arizona State 10-yard line.
Arizona State strikes right back with an explosive play — Arizona State 21, Colorado 14 (10:35 Q3)
Colorado’s defense got it to third down and 3, but a miscommunication at the linebacker position made Derek Eusebio wide open on a slant. He went untouched for a 68-yard score. Arizona State converted the two-point try and now leads by seven.
Colorado opens the second half on fire — Colorado 14, Arizona State 13 (12:02 Q3)
The Buffs open the second half with their best drive of the game. Dallan Hayden continued his strong night with a 42-yard burst, which set up a Julian Lewis 22-yard touchdown pass to Omarion Miller.
HALFTIME: Arizona State 13, Colorado 7
- Total Yards: Arizona State 257, Colorado 108
Colorado was unable to capitalize on several short-field opportunities, and Julian Lewis has struggled to connect with his receivers. The Buffs are 1-8 on third down and have not converted their two fourth-down tries.
Explosive run allows Arizona State to add on — Arizona State 13, Colorado 7 (0:05 Q2)
Raleek Brown gave the Sun Devils a chance for points before the half with a 59-yard scamper. On third down, ASU drew up a trick play where Jordyn Tyson threw it into the endzone for Chamon Metayer, but overshot him. The Sun Devils hit another field goal to extend their lead.
Buffs can’t take advantage of the turnover — (1:01 Q2)
Colorado fails to put a drive together after the interception and gives the ball back to Arizona State.
Colorado goes for it on fourth down, but the Buffs’ defense comes up huge — (1:35 Q2)
Colorado could not take advantage of a roughing the passer and went for it on fourth and six, but Lewis was sacked for a 10-yard loss. On the very next play, Arizona State quarterback Jeff Sims overthrows his target, and John Slaughter comes up with the interception.
Arizona State got its offense going and takes the lead — Arizona State 10, Colorado 7 (3:19 Q2)
The Sun Devils put together their best drive of the evening, gaining chunk run plays against a depleted CU defense. With a chance for another turnover on downs, Sims would find running back Raleek Brown on a wheel route for a 33-yard score.
Colorado’s offense is still struggling to move the ball — (8:24 Q2)
Julian Lewis had a nice completion to Omarion Miller to convert, but the drive did not go anywhere after that.
Colorado gets burned by trickery, but holds firm — (10:23 Q2)
Colorado was beaten earlier in the drive on a wide-open fake punt. Arizona State got all the way down to the Colorado 17-yard line, but the Buffaloes’ defense held on fourth down after an errant Jeff Sims pass.
Colorado starting safety Tawfiq Byard is heading to the locker room
Byard has been the Buffs’ best defensive player for most of the season and tonight. He already forced a turnover. It looked to be a shoulder injury.
End of 1st quarter: Colorado 7, Arizona State 3
- Total Yards: Colorado 69, Arizona State 56
Both defenses came to play with six combined three-and-outs in the first quarter. Colorado finished strong with a touchdown drive to take the lead.
The Buffs are on the board — Colorado 7, Arizona State 3 (0:03 Q1)
An explosive run from Micah Welch for 39 yards set the Buffaloes up inside the red zone. Two plays later, Dallan Hayden rushed it up the left for a seven-yard touchdown. A quick 4-play, 57-yard drive gives Colorado its first score of the game.
Colorado’s defense continues its strong start — (1:50 Q1)
A false start penalty on third down put the Buffs behind the sticks, and the Buffs forced another Arizona State punt.
Colorado goes for it on fourth down and gets stuffed — (2:52 Q1)
On fourth-and-1, Colorado opts for the quick quarterback sneak, and Lewis goes nowhere. Another scoreless drive for the Buffs.
Tawfiq Byard forces a fumble — (4:32 Q1)
Safety Tawfiq Byard combines with linebacker Shaun Myers to blow up a screen pass and force the ball out. Keaten Wade recovers and begins their drive on the Arizona State 23-yard line.
Three straight three-and-outs for Colorado’s offense — (5:13 Q1)
The Buffs’ offense once again can’t find any rhythm, and the playcalling seems to be severely lacking. So far, only the routes below have been open for Lewis.
Buffs catch a break but force another short drive — (6:10 Q1)
Colorado caught a break on third down with no pass interference called after Ivan Yates was draped all over Jordyn Tyson downfield.
Another three-and-out for the CU offense — (7:49 Q1)
Colorado has gained a total of six yards in two drives, with Lewis seeming out of sync. He nearly had his third-down pass picked off.
Arizona State strikes first after big play — Arizona State 3, Colorado 0 (9:23 Q1)
Former Buff Jordyn Tyson makes an impact early, beating Teon Parks down the right sideline for a 42-yard gain. Colorado’s defense would hold in the red zone, but ASU hit the 39-yard field goal.
Colorado’s offense goes three-and-out on first possession — (12:06 Q1)
Julian Lewis threw a perfect ball to Omarion Miller on the run, which would have moved the chains, but Miller could not haul it in.
Buffaloes force a punt to open the game — (14:44 Q1)
A nice tackle for a loss from Keaten Wade put the Sun Devils behind the sticks. An inaccurate third-down throw from ASU quarterback Jeff Sims led to a punt.
Colorado and Arizona State are underway from Folsom Field
Colorado won the toss and deferred to the second half. CU’s defense will be on the field first.
Colorado’s uniform combination vs. Arizona State
The Buffaloes are going with the classic black jersey and gold pants, but a black helmet with a gold Ralphie emblem.
Colorado’s pregame injury report
The Buffs will once again be down several key players. Both starting left tackles, both starting cornerbacks, two top safeties and several top defensive linemen. Needless to say, Colorado will be playing from behind when it comes to the defensive side of the ball. Stopping dual-threat quarterback Jeff Sims seems a significantly more challenging task.
Former Buff and ASU star receiver Jordyn Tyson is a game-time decision.
How to watch Colorado vs. Arizona State: Kickoff time, TV channel, streaming
TV Channel: ESPN2
Start Time: 6:00 p.m. MT
Colorado-Arizona State will broadcast nationally on ESPN2. Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app and Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Watch Colorado vs. Arizona State on ESPN2
Colorado vs. Arizona State betting spread, over/under
Odds courtesy of FanDuel as of Nov. 22.
- Spread: Arizona State by 6 1/2
- Over/under: 47 1/2
- Moneyline: Arizona State -250, Colorado +205
Colorado Football Schedule 2025
- Week 1 vs. Georgia Tech: 27-20 loss
- Week 2 vs. Delaware: 31-7 win
- Week 3 at Houston: 36-20 loss
- Week 4 vs. Wyoming: 37-20 win
- Week 5 vs. BYU: 24-21 loss
- Week 6 at TCU: 35-21 loss
- Week 7 vs. Iowa State: 24-17 win
- Week 9 at No. 18 Utah: 53-7 loss
- Week 10 vs. Arizona: 52-17 loss
- Week 11 at West Virginia: 29-22 loss
- Week 13 vs. Arizona State
- Week 14 at Kansas State
- Record: 3-7, 1-6 Big 12
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football blown out by Arizona State: Instant reaction, recap
