Colorado defense improves in win over Wyoming

Colorado Buffaloes safety Tawfiq Byard (#7) makes a huge tackle on Wyoming running back Terron Kellman. Byard ended the game with a team-high six tackles. (Photo by Christian Blanco/ Sko Buffs Sports)

The Colorado Buffaloes (2-2, 0-1) beat the Wyoming Cowboys (2-2, 0-0) 37-20 on Saturday night in Folsom Field. Through two quarters, the defense looked to be the main reason for the Buffs' win, but second-half struggles confirmed otherwise. 

Through three games of the 2025 season, the Buffaloes’ defense had looked anything but dominant. The unit has allowed an average of 430 yards per game at a clip of over six yards per play. 

Granted, it is banged up, missing Samuel Okunlola and Brandon Davis-Swain, both starters at defensive end. However, tonight the defense got to compete against a mediocre Wyoming offense to prove what it’s all about. 

In Colorado’s two losses this season, they allowed an average of 265 rush yards and a third-down conversion rate of 44%. 

The key to the Buffs’ defensive success tonight was what had been troubling them: their run defense and ability to get off the field on third down. Colorado held the Cowboys to a third-down conversion rate of 41% while allowing 165 rush yards. 

Although the numbers looked better, head coach Deion Sanders wasn’t satisfied. 

“I'm not happy with the finish, I'm happy with the results, but not the finish,” Sanders said. “I wish we could have a little more killer instinct in us, to put teams away.”

Cornerback Preston Hodge had himself a game, breaking up three passes along with three solo tackles. The senior had six pass deflections in nine games played last season. 

DJ McKinney and Makari Vickers also got in on the pass breakups, combining for three. 

Colorado’s run defense shut down every rush attempt from the Cowboys early, allowing just nine yards on their first eight attempts. Because of this, Wyoming was forced into obvious passing situations, allowing the Buffs' secondary to drop back and attack the ball. 

Although Colorado’s run defense was stout, the pass defense struggled to get off the field on third down in the first quarter. Pass interference calls on cornerbacks Hodge and McKinney kept Wyoming on the gridiron. 

Despite giving the Cowboys extra chances, the Buffs held Wyoming scoreless and to only nine total yards gained through its first two possessions. Wyoming quarterback Kaden Anderson started the game 0-for-4 on pass attempts. 

The Cowboys’ first big play came in the second quarter from running back Samuel Harris, who took an inside handoff 50 yards up the gut. Later in the drive, cornerback Makari Vickers punched away a third-and-goal pass, denying wide receiver Jaylan Bean a touchdown. 

Before the Harris run, the Buffs were holding the Wyoming rushing attack to 1.1 yards per play, compared to 4.7 yards per play after his long run. 

Colorado held Wyoming to 114 net yards and seven first downs in the first half. The Buffs forced four punts in the half and allowed only three points. 

The black and gold defenders let off the throttle to start the second half, allowing the Cowboys to score a touchdown and a field goal on their first two possessions. The four-play touchdown drive only took a minute and thirty seconds off the clock, ending in a 41-yard reception by wide receiver Eric Richardson. 

Wyoming was then able to amass 73 yards on 13 plays, but was unable to find the endzone as the Colorado defense forced another field goal. 

Coach Sanders chalked up the second-half defensive struggles to discipline. 

“When you lose intensity and focus, those things happen,” Sanders said. 

The Buffs will resume conference play next Saturday, hosting the BYU Cougars at 8:15 pm.