Colorado football crushed by Arizona State: Instant reaction and recap

A Disappointing Performance for the Colorado Buffaloes

The Colorado Buffaloes faced another tough loss on Saturday evening, falling to the No. 25 Arizona State Sun Devils with a final score of 42-17. This defeat marks their fourth consecutive loss of the season and leaves them at 3-8 overall and 1-7 in the Big 12 conference.

Struggles on Both Sides of the Ball

Star freshman quarterback Julian Lewis struggled throughout the game, completing just 50% of his passes for 161 yards. His receivers also had issues, with several drops hampering the offense. The passing attack as a whole was ineffective, and the Buffaloes failed to capitalize on four Arizona State turnovers, including one that put the ball inside the Sun Devils' 10-yard line.

On defense, the depleted group, especially at linebacker, could not stop the run, allowing 355 rushing yards. Giving up that many yards is nearly impossible to overcome in a football game.

Colorado now faces a difficult final week of the season, with many questions about the coaching staff and next season's roster.

Game Highlights and Key Moments

Final Score and Statistics

• 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 and allowed 300 yards rushing for the third time.

Fourth Quarter Highlights

• Arizona State added a garbage time score: Arizona State 42, Colorado 17 (1:20 Q4)
• The embarrassment continued for the Buffaloes as the Sun Devils scored their third rushing touchdown of the evening.
• Colorado went 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.

Third Quarter Highlights

• 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.
• 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.

Second Half Highlights

• 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.

First Half Highlights

• 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.

Pre-Game Information

• Colorado's defense will be on the field first.
• The Buffs are going with the classic black jersey and gold pants, but a black helmet with a gold Ralphie emblem.
• Colorado's pregame injury report shows they will be down several key players.
• Former Buff and ASU star receiver Jordyn Tyson is a game-time decision.
• How to watch: Kickoff time, TV channel, streaming
• TV Channel: ESPN2
• Start Time: 6:00 p.m. MT
• Streaming options include the ESPN app and Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
• 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