CU Buffs Suffer Heavy Loss to Arizona Amid Penalty Troubles

The Colorado Buffaloes faced a challenging defeat against the Arizona Wildcats on November 1, 2025, suffering a significant loss of 52-17 at Folsom Field. The game marked a turning point for the Buffs, who encountered a series of penalties that compounded their struggles, leading to a season-high of 14 flags for 110 yards.

Coming into the match, Colorado was recognized as one of the least-penalized teams in the Big 12, averaging just 5.0 penalties per game. This drastic increase in penalties more than doubled their previous season high of six, which had been reached on four occasions. Coach Deion Sanders remarked on the penalties, stating, “Yeah, that’s probably a record since I’ve been here,” although the Buffs had experienced 17 penalties in a previous game against Stanford on October 13, 2023.

The afternoon proved to be especially difficult for Colorado’s defense and offense. The Buffs failed to maintain discipline on the field, a stark contrast to their earlier performances this season. Coach Sanders expressed frustration at the unexpected lack of control, emphasizing that the team had been performing well regarding penalties until this game.

Several penalties had critical implications on the game’s momentum. During the second quarter, with Colorado trailing 24-7, quarterback Kaidon Salter connected with Sincere Brown on a potential 75-yard touchdown pass. However, the touchdown was negated due to two penalties: an ineligible receiver call against Omarion Miller and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against guard Yahya Attia. As a result, the Buffs found themselves facing a first-and-25 from their own 10-yard line.

The penalties continued to haunt Colorado as Arizona regained possession. An interception by Ivan Yates of Colorado was nullified when Arden Walker was penalized for roughing the passer. Such setbacks illustrated the impact of penalties on the Buffs’ chances of turning the game around.

In a personal highlight amid the turmoil, former Colorado quarterback and current Cleveland Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders made an appearance at the game to visit his father, Coach Deion Sanders. This marked the first time they had seen each other since the start of the football season. Coach Sanders acknowledged the emotional significance of the visit, despite the disappointing outcome of the game. “I haven’t seen my son in a long time,” he said. “So that was quite emotional for me, him surprising me today in the office.”

As for individual performances, Arizona showcased a powerful rushing game, amassing 204 yards on the ground. This marked the sixth time this season that Colorado has allowed over 200 rushing yards. On the offensive side for the Buffs, Dallan Hayden led the team with 34 rushing yards, surpassing the 1,000-yard milestone for his career with a total of 1,020 yards.

Additionally, kicker Alejandro Mata set a new Colorado record by successfully completing 104 consecutive extra points. With five points scored during the game, he climbed to 11th on the Buffaloes’ all-time scoring list, surpassing the legendary Byron White, who scored 185 points from 1935 to 1937.

The Colorado Buffaloes must regroup following this defeat as they look to address their penalty issues and refine their performance ahead of their upcoming games. With Coach Sanders at the helm, the team aims to return to their earlier form and minimize mistakes as the season continues.