At the end of the head coach Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders' first year with the Colorado Buffaloes, Sanders said, "You better get me now, this is the worst we're gonna be." Now, after Colorado's 42-17 loss to the No. 25-ranked Arizona State Sun Devils, the Buffaloes are going to be just as bad or worse than Coach Prime's first season, where they finished 4-8.
The Buffaloes' offense struggled, including a rough game from true-freshman Julian Lewis. Lewis threw for 161 yards and completed just 50% of his passes, including a touchdown. Defensively, the Buffaloes allowed Sun Devils quarterback Jeff Sims to pass for 206 yards, including two touchdowns.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementArizona State dominated in nearly every statistical category despite only being ahead by four points at the end of the third quarter. However, Colorado squandered every opportunity to score, leading to a three-touchdown fourth quarter by ASU. The Sun Devils move up in the Big 12 race after the Houston Cougars took a loss to the TCU Horned Frogs.
From abysmal rush defense to not sustaining drives, the stats speak for themselves, leading the Buffaloes to their fourth straight loss.
Total offense
Nov 22, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Ronald Coleman (45) fumbles the football in the fourth quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn ImagesThe Buffaloes struggled to move the ball and failed to sustain drives when it mattered most. Most notably in the fourth quarter, the Buffaloes were driving before wide receiver Ronald Coleman got his first carry of the season and fumbled. Two plays later, the Sun Devils offense took a carry 88 yards to the house for a touchdown, and it seemed like the Buffaloes quit. Overall, the Buffaloes had a total of 300 yards on offense, while the Sun Devils had 580. Of ASU's 580 yards, 355 yards were on the ground.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBuffaloes' third-down efficiency
Nov 22, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis (10) scrambles in the first quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn ImagesOverall, the Buffaloes' defense was doing its job most of the game, but their offense wasn't doing them any favors. With Julian Lewis and offensive coordinator Brett Bartolone at the helm, the Buffaloes were abysmal on third down. Of the Buffaloes' 18 third-down opportunities, they converted only five times. The Buffaloes also went three-and-out five times, failing to sustain drives.
Arizona State yards per carry
Nov 22, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils running back Raleek Brown (3) carries the ball in the first quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn ImagesWhen the Buffaloes' offense can't sustain drives, the defense, which has struggled against the run, will start giving up yards. Arizona State averaged 7.4 yards per carry, rushing for three touchdowns. Sun Devils' running back Raleek Brown gashed the Buffaloes for 255 yards on 22 carries, averaging 11.6 yards per carry.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementColorado's points off turnovers
Nov 22, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Tawfiq Byard (7) reacts in the first quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn ImagesThe Buffaloes' defense put the ball in the offense's hands, forcing four turnovers, which included three fumbles and an interception. However, after each turnover, the Buffaloes went four-and-out, three-and-out, field goal and matched their turnover with the Coleman fumble in the fourth quarter. The closest the Colorado offense came to scoring a touchdown after a turnover was after ASU quarterback Jeff Sims fumbled at his own 20-yard line. The Buffaloes gained just four yards and were penalized for delay of the game, resulting in only a field goal.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Stats that tell the story of Colorado's loss to Arizona State
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