From Utah to Arizona, the Buffs are stuck in a pattern they can’t escape

Colorado has allowed career rushing highs for four separate quarterbacks in 2025. (Photo by Jacob Hock/Sko Buffs Sports)

The Colorado Buffaloes’ rush defense has continued to be the team’s Achilles’ heel under Coach Deion Sanders. Entering Saturday’s game, Colorado had allowed 1,738 rushing yards on 330 carries, good for averages of 5.3 yards per carry and 217.3 yards per game.

It’s been a recurring theme throughout the season, one that reached a low point against the Utah Utes, when the Buffaloes surrendered 422 rushing yards. Dual-threat true freshman quarterback Byrd Ficklin and running back Wayshawn Parker shredded the defense for 151 and 145 yards, respectively.

Against the Arizona Wildcats, the weakness didn’t show up on the ground — it shifted to the air. The Wildcats came out attacking through the passing game, and it worked to perfection. On just the third play of the game, quarterback Noah Fifita found wide receiver Tre Spivey on a screen pass that turned into a 57-yard touchdown.

From there, Fifita picked apart the Buffaloes’ secondary by tossing three more touchdowns to Kris Hutson, Gio Richardson, and Javin Whatley. By halftime, Colorado found itself in a deep hole, trailing 38–7. Fifita finished the day with 215 passing yards, four touchdowns, and four rushes for six yards. It was a clean, efficient performance that further exposed Colorado’s defensive inconsistencies.

Still, Arizona’s dominance was punctuated by running back Ismail Mahdi’s trademark explosive run. His 68-yard burst set up the Wildcats’ seventh touchdown of the night, which was punched in by fellow running back Kedrick Reescano.

At its core, the pattern Colorado can't seem to escape is its tendency to trade flash for foundation. Each week, the Buffaloes show a moment of explosive talent, a highlight that teases potential. But those glimpses are buried under the same issues: missed assignments, inconsistency, and a lack of balance on both sides of the ball. Whether it is Utah pounding the run game or Arizona slicing through the secondary.

Until Colorado finds stability in the details, the flashes of brilliance will keep fading into darkness.