Arizona Football picks up first Pac-12 win with romping of Colorado

TUCSON, AZ – Following their tough loss to Cal, Arizona Football (3-2, 1-1) was too much for Colorado (0-5, 0-2), picking up their first Pac-12 win. 

Arizona Football got back in the win column in a big way as the Wildcats totaled 673 yards of offense (495 passing), en route to the 43-20 win over Colorado.

The win also comes at an opportune time for the Wildcats, especially as they were outmatched by a more physical, and well-prepared Cal team last week in Berkeley.

Bringing the energy from the kick-off, the Wildcats were the first to strike in this one as they went on an 11-play, 75-yard drive that resulted in a Jayden de Laura to Michael Wiley touchdown to give the Cats the 7-0 lead.

Unfortunately, Colorado would respond with one of their best offensive series of the season. Going 70 yards in nine plays, the Buffaloes would cap things off with an Owen McCown touchdown scamper to tie it at 7-7.

Luckily for us, that was the closest that Colorado would get in this one as Arizona pulled back in front following a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive after de Laura found Jacob Cowing on a slant route to make it 13-7. Unfortunately, the Cats would miss the extra point.

Holding the Buffaloes to back-to-back-to-back punts, Arizona would extend their lead to 19-7 on a juggling catch from Dorian Singer in the back of the end zone. Unfortunately, Jayden would not be able to convert on the two-point conversion.

On the next offensive series, the Wildcats would drive 65 yards on six plays that was capped by yet another touchdown, this time a pass from de Laura to tight end Tanner McLachlan who broke a tackle near the 10 and scampered into the end zone to make it 26-7.

Unfortunately, Colorado would score one last time before halftime to cut Arizona’s lead to 26-13. The Buffaloes would miss the extra point.

Leaving 1:05 left of the clock, Arizona would have one last chance before halftime to put points on the board, and despite de Laura helping the Cats get down the field to set up a 42-yard attempt for Tyler Loop, the Texas native would miss to the right.

Leading 26-13, a strong second half from the Cats would give Arizona Football the eventual 43-20 win over Colorado.

Leading 26-13, the Wildcats would pick things up right where they left off! Holding Colorado to a quick, three-and-out, Arizona would drive 80 yards on six plays that resulted in a beautiful, double-pass from de Laura to freshman Tetairoa McMillan that resulted in six! The successful extra point after made it 33-13, Cats!

On the ensuing series, the Buffaloes would find the end zone again, this time driving 75 yards on seven plays that resulted in a seven-yard touchdown rush from Colorado’s Anthony Hankerson to make it 33-20.

Luckily for us, that would be the last time Colorado would score in this one! Responding with a 63-yard drive of their own, Arizona would extend its lead to 36-20 after Loop finally connected on a 29-yard field goal at the 1:22 mark in the third quarter.

With the defense standing tall in the fourth quarter, Arizona would get one last touchdown in this one, this time using an 11-play, 57-yard drive following a turnover on downs. Arizona would find the end zone after a quick screen pass from de Laura to Wiley made it 43-20 after the successful extra point.

Holding the Buffaloes scoreless for the remainder of this one, the Wildcats’ defense came up big in the end, forcing a Colorado fumble before the offense was able to run out the clock and come away with a 43-20 win.

With the win, the Wildcats improve to 3-2 (1-1) on the year and return to action next weekend when they take on No. 13 Oregon (4-1, 2-0) at home.

Here’s a recap of the Wildcats’ win over the Buffaloes!

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