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What we learned from Colorado's dominant performance in Arizona


What we learned from Colorado's dominant performance in Arizona

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalos wide receiver Drelon Miller (6) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalos wide receiver Drelon Miller (6) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Colorado Buffaloes, in their second year under head coach Deion Sanders, have officially surpassed last season's win total.

If they keep playing like they did on Saturday, Colorado football fans could be in for a special season. CU played a near-perfect game in Tucson, defeating the Arizona Wildcats 34-7 and improving its overall record to 5-2 (3-1 Big 12).

From the opening moment, Arizona had no answer for Colorado's offense as the Buffs scored on their first three possessions. On defense, CU held Arizona to its lowest point total of the season while star wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan remained quiet.

Here are five takeaways from Colorado's impressive road win over Arizona:

Everyone meets at the quarterback

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffaloes center back Nikhai Hill-Green (41) sacks Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (11) during the second quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Aryanna Frank-Imagn ImagesOct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffaloes center back Nikhai Hill-Green (41) sacks Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (11) during the second quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffaloes center back Nikhai Hill-Green (41) sacks Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (11) during the second quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Colorado's pass rush was on another level and on the afternoon Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita sacked seven times. Because of Fifita's ability to escape the rush, he kept the sack total from reaching double figures. Keaten Wade took advantage of his first snap of the season as he and fellow defensive lineman Samuel Okunlola led the way with two sacks each.

Kudos to Brandon Hood

TUCSON, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 19: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes watches from the sideline during the first half of the NCAAF game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)TUCSON, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 19: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes watches from the sideline during the first half of the NCAAF game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

TUCSON, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 19: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes watches from the sideline during the first half of the NCAAF game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

True freshman Brandon Hood made perhaps the best play of the game on the opening kickoff when he blocked a surprise onside kick. Because of his good hands, Colorado started its first drive on the Wildcats' 46-yard line.

The running game resurfaced

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive tackle Chase Kennedy (11) tackles the Colorado Buffaloes during the fourth quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Aryanna Frank-Imagn ImagesOct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive tackle Chase Kennedy (11) tackles the Colorado Buffaloes during the fourth quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive tackle Chase Kennedy (11) tackles the Colorado Buffaloes during the fourth quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

The Buffs' running game came to the fore again as they ran the ball 39 times for 148 yards and two touchdowns. Isaiah Augustave made his first start in a CU uniform and scored on the first drive. Dallan Hayden would spell it, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Later, Charlie Offerdahl got into the action and scored a game-winning 39-yard carry.

Crazy end to the second quarter

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defenseman Jack Luttrell (13) celebrates after making an interception against the Colorado Buffaloes in the second quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Aryanna Frank-Imagn ImagesOct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defenseman Jack Luttrell (13) celebrates after making an interception against the Colorado Buffaloes in the second quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defenseman Jack Luttrell (13) celebrates after making an interception against the Colorado Buffaloes in the second quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

As I mentioned above, CU scored on its first three possessions and appeared to be on track for its fourth straight possession before center Hank Zilinskas grabbed the ball too early, resulting in a fumble recovered by Arizona was able to make amends at their own 24-yard line.

Defensive end BJ Green II sacked Fifita two plays later, causing a fumble that was recovered by linebacker LaVonta Bentley. The Buffs and Wildcats managed three straight drives with a turnover as Arizona beat quarterback Shedeur Sanders on third down and continued the turnover party.

Road warrior

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalo's quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) against the Arizona Wildcats in the first half at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesOct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalo's quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) against the Arizona Wildcats in the first half at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalo's quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) against the Arizona Wildcats in the first half at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Since losing their first road game of the season at Nebraska, the Buffs have dominated teams outside of Boulder. In three road games against Colorado State, UCF and Arizona, CU has outscored its opponents 110-37. The last time CU won two consecutive road games by 27 or more was 1987.

Colorado's next and final two road games will be against Kansas and Texas Tech, two teams that have struggled defensively so far this season.

This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: What we learned from Colorado's dominant performance in Arizona

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