When it mattered most, Colorado’s defense found its edge

Shorthanded but motivated, the Colorado Buffaloes' defense stepped up to capture the program's first Big 12 win on Saturday. (Photo by Madison Kerest/Sko Buffs Sports)

The old saying goes that once is by chance. Twice is coincidence. Three times make a pattern. 

The Colorado Buffaloes (3–4, 1–3 Big 12) refused to let that happen Saturday, holding off the No. 22 Iowa State Cyclones (5–2, 2–2 Big 12) for a 24–17 win, its first over a ranked opponent at Folsom Field since 2019.

For much of the afternoon, it looked like Colorado’s flaws were rearing their ugly head. 

Struggles to sustain drives, collapsing edges, and an inability to close halves have defined their season so far. All the storylines that had surrounded the Buffs of late figured to again define the outcome.

Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht eventually found seams after initially being under duress. On the final drive of the first half, he diced up the Buffs’ secondary on a 96-yard two-minute march that took the lead. 

For a moment, it felt like déjà vu, another unraveling on the Flatirons’ horizon. Then, something shifted.

Even as Cyclones tailback Abu Sama tore through Colorado’s front seven, accounting for 59 yards on a single series himself, the Buffs didn’t fold. When Iowa State finally looked ready to seize control, CU’s defense found a spark.

Early in the fourth quarter, safety Tawfiq Byard delivered the play of the game, a goal-line interception that was Colorado’s first takeaway since Week 2 against Delaware. 

Later, it was the defensive line’s turn to stand tall. On fourth-and-1 from Iowa State’s own 18-yard line, CU’s interior pushed back the Cyclone front, stuffing a run and flipping field position. The stand led to an Alejandro Mata field goal, giving Colorado necessary breathing room.

“We’ve been talking about finishing,” Byard said in the postgame press conference. “We finally did.”

Finishing had been the message all week. This time, the Buffs didn’t just talk about it; they showed it. 

After weeks of missed chances, CU made the game-changing plays. Saturday’s successes in the biggest moments might not erase old patterns in the long term. But for once, Colorado dictated the ending on its terms, not the other way around. That’s a pattern worth starting.