Colorado football stays unbeaten with Pac-12 South takedown of Arizona State
By Zach Bigalke
Colorado football moved to 5-0 on the season with a win over Arizona State. Here’s what we learned about the Buffaloes and the Pac-12 South race.
Mike MacIntyre’s Colorado Buffaloes stayed perfect as October play commenced in Boulder, winning a tight 28-21 contest against the Arizona State Sun Devils on Saturday. The Buffaloes got another strong day from Steven Montez, who finished with 328 yards and two touchdowns on 24-of-33 passing to guide Colorado to victory at home.
Travon McMillian also had a huge game for the Buffaloes offense, finishing the day with 136 rushing yards on 30 carries. Laviska Shenault Jr. added a pair of rushing touchdowns in short-yardage action, and the Colorado backfield finished with 166 total yards as a group.
The defense came up strong as well, at least when it counted most. But it is instructive to note that Arizona State had the lead for most of the game, scoring first and going ahead on three different occasions. Colorado only held the lead for the final quarter, but they prevented Arizona State from making any statements in return.
Sun Devils feature back Eno Benjamin was held to 120 yards and two scores by the Colorado front seven. Manny Wilkins went 12-of-18 for 222 yards and a touchdown in the loss, as neither side turned over the ball throughout the game. And the Sun Devils showed that they are still a work in progress under first-year head coach Herm Edwards.
Colorado looks more and more like the team to beat in the Pac-12 South with each passing week. They are the only squad in the division with a perfect record, both in conference play and overall. They are also the only unbeaten team left in the Pac-12, as every Pac-12 North squad sustained at least one loss in September.
Next. Contenders and pretenders for the College Football Playoff. dark
Colorado’s showdown next weekend against USC will go a long way toward deciding whether the Trojans or the Buffaloes head to the Pac-12 championship game in Santa Clara in early December. Meanwhile, Arizona State must pick up the pieces over their bye week and prepare for their Thursday night #Pac12AfterDark showdown at home against Stanford in Week 8.