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The University of Utah Athletics
Photo by: Anna Fuder/Utah Athletics
Postgame Notes: Utah vs. Colorado
10/26/2025 1:13 AM | Football
Postgame Notes
(at) Utah 53, Colorado 7
Salt Lake City, Utah (Rice-Eccles Stadium)
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025
Kick: 8:25 p.m. MT | End: 12:00 a.m.
Attendance: 51,949 (sellout)
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General
Offense
Defense
Special Teams
First Quarter Breakdown
The Utes needed just two plays to go 75 yards for the touchdown on the opening drive. Daniel Bray rushed for 12 yards before Byrd Ficklin broke loose for a 63-yard touchdown rush, Utah's longest rush of the season and longest by a freshman quarterback in a start ever.
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Utah forced Colorado into a three-and-out thanks to a TFL from Trey Reynolds and a PBU by Tao Johnson, but the Utes had to punt themselves after just three plays. Colorado got into Utah territory on the following drive, but a sack by Reynolds forced the second CU punt of the day.
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The Utes looked to have been stopped again after just three plays, but Orion Phillips faked the punt and completed his first collegiate pass to Dallen Bentley for 25 yards and the first down. Ficklin drove the Utes down to the 30 yard line, and after a false start penalty, Dillon Curtis nailed a 53-yard field goal to extend the Utah lead to 10-0 with 4:51 left in the quarter.
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After Utah forced its second three-and-of the opening quarter and took over at its own 42-yard line, Wayshawn Parker broke loose on the first play of the drive for a 58-yard touchdown rush. It marked the longest rush of the season for the sophomore and gave the Utes a 17-0 lead with 2:53 remaining.
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Tao Johnson nabbed his second interception of the season to give Utah the ball back at its own 38-yard line, but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Utah brought the punt team on as time expired in the quarter
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The Utes recorded 203 yards of total offense in the first quarter while holding Colorado to just eight yards. Utah rushed for 167 yards compared to negative-2 by the Buffaloes.
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Second Quarter Breakdown
Phillips' punt pinned the Buffaloes at their own 10-yard line, and on 3rd-and-10, Johnathan Hall and Jackson Bennee brought pressure and forced the CU QB into an intentional grounding penalty, resulting in a Utah safety to make it 19-0.
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The Utes took possession at their own 28-yard line, and Ficklin orchestrated a four-play, 72-yard touchdown drive. The freshman rushed for 22 yards and passed for 50, including a 22-yard touchdown to JJ Buchanan. With 12:50 remaining in the half, the Utes took a 26-0 lead.
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Utah's defense continued to overwhelm Colorado's offense, forcing another punt and taking over at the 40-yard line. The Utes put together a 16-play, 60-yard touchdown drive that took 7:21 off the clock, capped by a two-yard touchdown rush by NaQuari Rogers, his seventh of the season.
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On 3rd-and-10 on the ensuing drive, Hall tallied Utah's second sack of the half to pin Colorado at its own seven-yard line, and Utah took over at the CU 21-yard line after a shanked punt. On the second play of the drive, Ficklin found Larry Simmons 20 yards down the sideline for the touchdown, putting the Utes up 40-0 with 2:08 to play.
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Utah forced another three-and-out thanks to a third-down sack by Hall and John Henry Daley, but Utah was forced to punt themselves - a 67-yard boot by Phillips. Logan Fano picked up a third-down sack to force another punt, but this one was blocked by Jackson Bennee and Utah took over at the Colorado seven-yard line with 41 seconds left in the half. After two runs, Curtis knocked home a 23-yard field goal to give the Utes the 43-0 lead at the half.
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Utah put up 398 yards of offense in the first half, 260 of which came on the ground, while holding Colorado to negative-18 total yards and negative-41 rushing yards.
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Third Quarter Breakdown
Colorado broke into Utah territory on the opening drive of the second half, but Karson Kaufusi got the stop on 4th-and-1 to force the turnover on downs and give Utah possession at its own 26-yard line. Ficklin led the Utes down to the Colorado 31-yard line, but a sack forced a Utah punt that just crept into the end zone for a touchback.
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Utah forced another three-and-out, not allowing any yards on the drive, and took over on its own 46-yard line. The Utes gained 27 yards on the drive, setting up a 45-yard field goal by Curtis that put the Utes up, 46-0, with 1:42 left in the quarter.
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A TFL by Elijah Ellis on 3rd-and-5 forced the sixth Colorado three-and-out as time expired.
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Fourth Quarter Breakdown
Colorado pinned the Utes down at the eight-yard line with the punt, but Parker immediately gave Utah breathing room with a 49-yard carry. Utah's offense was only able to pick up two more yards on the drive with Isaac Wilson at quarterback, however, and Curtis' 59-yard field goal try came up just short.
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The Buffaloes were able to string together a nine-play, 59-yard touchdown drive after Utah took out all its starters to make it 46-7 with 9:03 left in the game. Utah was forced to punt after three rushing plays, and Phillips pinned Colorado at the 20-yard line with a 50-yard punt.
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Colorado once again drove into Utah territory, but the Utah defense stood pat and forced a turnover on downs thanks to stingy pass defense, giving the Utes possession at their own 30-yard line. After Bryce Duke rushed for 14 yards, Nate Johnson broke free for a 56-yard touchdown, extending the Utah lead to 53-7 with 3:12 to play.
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Elliss and Kash Dillon logged back-to-back sacks to force the 10th Colorado punt of the night, and after two rushes by Duke, the Utes lined up in victory formation.
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(at) Utah 53, Colorado 7
Salt Lake City, Utah (Rice-Eccles Stadium)
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025
Kick: 8:25 p.m. MT | End: 12:00 a.m.
Attendance: 51,949 (sellout)
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General
- Tonight marked Utah's 450th win in conference games.
- Head coach Kyle Whittingham, the winningest leader in program history, improved to 173-88 at the helm of the Utes. Including his time as an assistant coach (1994-2004), Whittingham has coached in 387 games at Utah and contributed to 258 wins—both the most of any coach in school history.
- Utah is now 123-42 when playing inside Rice-Eccles Stadium since it opened in 1998.
- The Utes now hold an all-time record of 36-33-3 against Colorado and are 12-3 in the Power Conference era (since 2011).
- Utah celebrated Homecoming tonight and the Utes are now 65-35-4 on that occasion including wins in six of the last seven games.
- Tonight's attendance marked the 93rd consecutive sellout of Rice-Eccles Stadium. It dates back to the 2010 season opener (sans the 2020 season, when fans were unable to attend).
- Colorado won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. Utah defended the North goal to begin the game.
Offense
- Utah's 587 total yards of offense were a season-high and the most since the Colorado game on Nov. 26, 2022 (662).
- It marked the fourth time this season that the team eclipsed 500 total yards (518 vs. Cal Poly; 541 at Wyoming; 532 at West Virginia).
- The Utes' 53 points were the most against an FBS opponent since Nov. 4, 2023 vs. Arizona State (55).
- Utah rushed for 422 yards, the most for the team since Nov. 5, 2021 in a win at Stanford (441). It's the seventh-highest total all-time for the Utes.
- Utah also passed for 165 yards, more than Colorado had in total offense (140 total – 102 pass, 38 rush).
- Utah's 43 points scored in the first half were the fourth-most in program history and most since Sept. 10, 2022 against Southern Utah (45).
- Byrd Ficklin became the sixth true freshman in recorded Utah history to start a game at QB for the Utes. Overall, it was the 23rd game that a true freshman started at QB for the Utes. The others are:
- Ken Vierra (2 in 1981)
- Scott Cate (1 in 1982)
- Jordan Wynn (5 in 2009)
- Travis Wilson (7 in 2012)
- Isaac Wilson (7 in 2024)
- Ficklin rushed 20 times for 151 yards, setting a program record for freshman starting quarterbacks. Previously, that record was held by Cate who rushed for 64 yards at San Diego State on Oct. 30, 1982.
- He also had a 10-of-22 passing line for 140 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Overall, he accounted for 291 yards.
- Ficklin was relieved by Isaac Wilson to begin the fourth quarter as Wilson made his season debut.
- In addition to Ficklin's 151 rushing yards, running back Wayshawn Parker tallied 145 yards on 10 carries—just four yards from tying his career-high. The last time Utah had two players rush for 100 yards was that Stanford game in 2021 and the last time two players rushed for 140-plus yards was at Air Force on Dec. 1, 2001.
- On the second play of the game, Ficklin rushed for a 63-yard touchdown. It was the longest play of the season by the Utes and is the longest rush by a freshman starting QB in Utah's available history.
- Parker ran for a season-long 58-yard touchdown late in the first quarter. It was his fourth rushing score of the season.
- Nate Johnson ripped off a season-long 56-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter; it was Johnson's first score of the season.
- Wide receiver Larry Simmons reeled in a 20-yard touchdown score late in the second quarter. He now has three receiving touchdowns on the season including in back-to-back games.
- Tight end JJ Buchanan put up a 22-yard score during the second quarter as well—he now has three for the season.
- Running back Daniel Bray made his first collegiate start.
Defense
- Both Utah's 13 TFL and seven sacks were season-highs for the team. The Utes 13 TFL tied the most since Sept. 29, 2023 at Oregon State, while Utah hadn't had as many sacks since Sept. 23, 2023 vs. UCLA.
- Colorado's 140 total yards of offense were the fewest allowed by Utah since the game vs. Arizona State on Nov. 4, 2023 (83).
- The Buffaloes rushed for 38 yards, the fewest allowed by Utah since the 2023 regular season finale vs. Colorado (37).
- During the second quarter, Utah forced Colorado into a safety after an intentional grounding was called in the end zone. Johnathan Hall and Jackson Bennee applied pressure on the play and by rule were each credited an assisted sack.
- It was the first safety for Utah since Oct. 30, 2021 vs. UCLA.
- Linebacker Johnathan Hall set a new personal-best with 2.0 sacks.
- Fellow linebacker Elijah Elliss set new career-highs with five tackles, 2.0 TFL and 1.0 sack.
- Defensive end John Henry Daley had four tackles (1.5 TFL, 0.5 sack). Daley has contributed at least 0.5 sack in every game this season.
- Linebacker Trey Reynolds set new career-highs with 2.0 TFL and 1.0 sack. He made his third start of the season.
Special Teams
- During the first quarter, Orion Phillips executed a successful fake punt with a 25-yard completion to Dallen Bentley. It was the first successful fake by the Utes since the 2022 season.
- Kicker Dillon Curtis connected on a 53-yard field goal during the first quarter. Curtis is the first Utah kicker since Matt Gay in 2018 to have multiple makes from 50-plus yards in a season.
- Curtis set new single-game career-bests both for points scored (15) and field goals made (3).
- Phillips booted a 67-yard punt in the second quarter; it was the longest by a Utah punter since 2018.
- Mana Carvalho returned five punts for a career-best 60 yards.
- Jackson Bennee blocked a punt during the second quarter. Bennee now has two blocks this season (1 FG, 1 punt) and three in his career.
First Quarter Breakdown
The Utes needed just two plays to go 75 yards for the touchdown on the opening drive. Daniel Bray rushed for 12 yards before Byrd Ficklin broke loose for a 63-yard touchdown rush, Utah's longest rush of the season and longest by a freshman quarterback in a start ever.
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Utah forced Colorado into a three-and-out thanks to a TFL from Trey Reynolds and a PBU by Tao Johnson, but the Utes had to punt themselves after just three plays. Colorado got into Utah territory on the following drive, but a sack by Reynolds forced the second CU punt of the day.
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The Utes looked to have been stopped again after just three plays, but Orion Phillips faked the punt and completed his first collegiate pass to Dallen Bentley for 25 yards and the first down. Ficklin drove the Utes down to the 30 yard line, and after a false start penalty, Dillon Curtis nailed a 53-yard field goal to extend the Utah lead to 10-0 with 4:51 left in the quarter.
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After Utah forced its second three-and-of the opening quarter and took over at its own 42-yard line, Wayshawn Parker broke loose on the first play of the drive for a 58-yard touchdown rush. It marked the longest rush of the season for the sophomore and gave the Utes a 17-0 lead with 2:53 remaining.
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Tao Johnson nabbed his second interception of the season to give Utah the ball back at its own 38-yard line, but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Utah brought the punt team on as time expired in the quarter
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The Utes recorded 203 yards of total offense in the first quarter while holding Colorado to just eight yards. Utah rushed for 167 yards compared to negative-2 by the Buffaloes.
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Second Quarter Breakdown
Phillips' punt pinned the Buffaloes at their own 10-yard line, and on 3rd-and-10, Johnathan Hall and Jackson Bennee brought pressure and forced the CU QB into an intentional grounding penalty, resulting in a Utah safety to make it 19-0.
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The Utes took possession at their own 28-yard line, and Ficklin orchestrated a four-play, 72-yard touchdown drive. The freshman rushed for 22 yards and passed for 50, including a 22-yard touchdown to JJ Buchanan. With 12:50 remaining in the half, the Utes took a 26-0 lead.
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Utah's defense continued to overwhelm Colorado's offense, forcing another punt and taking over at the 40-yard line. The Utes put together a 16-play, 60-yard touchdown drive that took 7:21 off the clock, capped by a two-yard touchdown rush by NaQuari Rogers, his seventh of the season.
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On 3rd-and-10 on the ensuing drive, Hall tallied Utah's second sack of the half to pin Colorado at its own seven-yard line, and Utah took over at the CU 21-yard line after a shanked punt. On the second play of the drive, Ficklin found Larry Simmons 20 yards down the sideline for the touchdown, putting the Utes up 40-0 with 2:08 to play.
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Utah forced another three-and-out thanks to a third-down sack by Hall and John Henry Daley, but Utah was forced to punt themselves - a 67-yard boot by Phillips. Logan Fano picked up a third-down sack to force another punt, but this one was blocked by Jackson Bennee and Utah took over at the Colorado seven-yard line with 41 seconds left in the half. After two runs, Curtis knocked home a 23-yard field goal to give the Utes the 43-0 lead at the half.
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Utah put up 398 yards of offense in the first half, 260 of which came on the ground, while holding Colorado to negative-18 total yards and negative-41 rushing yards.
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Third Quarter Breakdown
Colorado broke into Utah territory on the opening drive of the second half, but Karson Kaufusi got the stop on 4th-and-1 to force the turnover on downs and give Utah possession at its own 26-yard line. Ficklin led the Utes down to the Colorado 31-yard line, but a sack forced a Utah punt that just crept into the end zone for a touchback.
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Utah forced another three-and-out, not allowing any yards on the drive, and took over on its own 46-yard line. The Utes gained 27 yards on the drive, setting up a 45-yard field goal by Curtis that put the Utes up, 46-0, with 1:42 left in the quarter.
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A TFL by Elijah Ellis on 3rd-and-5 forced the sixth Colorado three-and-out as time expired.
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Fourth Quarter Breakdown
Colorado pinned the Utes down at the eight-yard line with the punt, but Parker immediately gave Utah breathing room with a 49-yard carry. Utah's offense was only able to pick up two more yards on the drive with Isaac Wilson at quarterback, however, and Curtis' 59-yard field goal try came up just short.
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The Buffaloes were able to string together a nine-play, 59-yard touchdown drive after Utah took out all its starters to make it 46-7 with 9:03 left in the game. Utah was forced to punt after three rushing plays, and Phillips pinned Colorado at the 20-yard line with a 50-yard punt.
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Colorado once again drove into Utah territory, but the Utah defense stood pat and forced a turnover on downs thanks to stingy pass defense, giving the Utes possession at their own 30-yard line. After Bryce Duke rushed for 14 yards, Nate Johnson broke free for a 56-yard touchdown, extending the Utah lead to 53-7 with 3:12 to play.
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Elliss and Kash Dillon logged back-to-back sacks to force the 10th Colorado punt of the night, and after two rushes by Duke, the Utes lined up in victory formation.
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Players Mentioned
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QB
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