Boulder, Colorado - Fresh off being ranked No. 15 in the latest College Football Playoff Rankings, the Buffs were a 12 point favorite before Thursday Night’s kickoff in front of 43,761 at Folsom Field.
1st Quarter
After a quick Bruin three and out, Colorado Quarterback Sefo Liufau threw his first interception in 152 passing attempts when Colorado Receiver Bryce Bobo deflected a pass which was intercepted by UCLA’s Tahaan Goodman.
UCLA’s No. 2 quarterback Mike Fafaul playing in for an injured Josh Rosen would throw an interception to Colorado Linebacker Kenneth Olugbode who would return it 52-yards to set up Colorado’s first touchdown when running back Phillip Lindsay would power in from 1-yard out to make it 7-0 Colorado with 5:49 to play in the opening quarter.
On the ensuing kickoff, UCLA would return the football to near midfield and three short plays later, Fafaul would hit Bruin receiver Darren Andrews for a 39-yard touchdown to make it 7-7 with 4:04 in the first quarter.
The first quarter was ugly for both teams both turnover wise and penalty wise, Colorado Outside Linebacker Jimmie Gilbert was flagged for targeting with just 9:50 in the quarter, which resulted in an ejection for the Buffs’ leading defender in quarterback sacks.
2nd Quarter
The second quarter opened with a UCLA 48-yard field goal by JJ Molson to make it 10-7 UCLA. The Buffs then drove into UCLA territory and a big hit on Liufau caused a fumble, which was returned 49-yards by UCLA’s Jayon Brown.
The Buffs’ defense would hold and force a field goal attempt, then Molson’s 26-yard field goal would be blocked by Colorado’s Chidobe Awuzie. Colorado No. 2 Quarterback Steven Montez in for an injured Sefo Liufau would then throw an interception deep down the field, which was Colorado’s third interception of the game. Heading into the halftime, Colorado had 7 penalties for 78-yards, 4 which were unsportsmanlike penalties, 4 turnovers, and had just 164-yards of total offense.
3rd Quarter
With just under 12 minutes in the third quarter, the Buffs forced a three and out, which led to a UCLA punt. Colorado’s punt return man Isaiah Oliver would find a seam and return the football 39-yards setting up the Buffs in great field position.
Colorado with a 3rd and short from the 1-yard line would fumble the football on a bad exchange from Liufau to Lindsay. Colorado would then settle for a 21-yard field goal made by Chris Graham. The three points would tie the game at 10 with 7:28 in the 3rd quarter.
On UCLA’s ensuing drive, UCLA’s kicker JJ Molson missed a 44-yard field goal with 4:42 seconds to play, keeping the game tied at 10 all. Colorado would drive down the field getting help from two unsportsmanlike penalties which were called on UCLA, setting up Colorado with a 1st and goal.
On the next play, Colorado was called for an unsportsmanlike penalty ending the 3rd quarter and moving Colorado from a 1st and goal to a 1st and 16. At this point, there were 10 unsportsmanlike penalties called in the game.
4th Quarter
The 4th quarter would open up with Colorado Field Goal Kicker Chris Graham hitting his longest career field goal of 37-yards to make it 13-10 Colorado with 13:40 left in the game.
UCLA unable to get a drive together would punt to Colorado, the Buffs would put together a draining 16 play drive taking off 5:15 off the clock before kicker Chris Graham would have his 36-yard field goal blocked by UCLA’s Rick Wade.
The Bruins would take over at their own 18-yard line with 6:33 left in the game, but again Colorado’s defense would come up with a big stop, this time linebacker Christian Shaver came up with a sack of 10-yards which forced the Bruins to punt.
Oliver, Colorado’s return man who already had a punt return of 38-yards, would make a defender miss and put a move on the punter for a 68-yard punt return for a touchdown to make it 20-10 with 5:27 left in the game.
The punt return by Oliver was Colorado's first punt return since 2005, ironically the Buffs' last winning season. UCLA would put a late drive together, but Andrew Strauch would miss a 36-yard field goal. Colorado would run the clock out to move to 7-2 and 5-1 in conference play. Colorado is on the road next week traveling to Tucson, Arizona to take on the Wildcats.
Game Stats
Colorado had 304 total yards of offense
UCLA had 210 total yards of offense
Colorado was 7 of 18 on 3rd downs
UCLA was 4 of 15 on 3rd downs
Colorado had 12 penalties for 128-yards
UCLA had 13 penalties for 96-yards
Colorado had 4 turnovers
UCLA had 1 turnover
Colorado had 14 special team points
UCLA had 4 special teams points
Sefo Liufau - Colorado Quarterback - 19 of 30 passing for 143-yards and 2 Ints
Phillip Lindsay - Colorado Running Back - 24 carries for 73-yards and 1 TD, 11 receptions for 76-yards
Isaiah Oliver - Colorado Defensive Back - 106 yards punt returning with 1 touchdown
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Colorado TD - 1-yard touchdown run by Phillip Lindsay, Colorado 7, UCLA 0 (8 plays, 38-yards, 2:31 drive)
UCLA TD - 39-yard touchdown pass from Mike Fafaul to Darren Andrews, Colorado 7, UCLA 7 (3 plays, 38-yards, 1:45)
2nd Quarter
UCLA FG - 48-yard field goal by JJ Molson, UCLA 10, Colorado 7 (4 plays, -3 yards, 1:38)
3rd Quarter
Colorado FG - 21-yard field goal by Chris Graham, Colorado 10, UCLA 10 (8 plays, 38-yards, 2:31)
4th Quarter
Colorado FG - 37-yard field goal by Chris Graham, Colorado 13, UCLA 10 (14 plays, 54-yards, 6:02)
Colorado TD - 68-yard punt return for a touchdown by Isaiah Oliver, Colorado 20, UCLA 10
Final
Colorado 20, UCLA 10
