WHEN, WHERE, SCORE

October 10th, 2015, Tempe Arizona, Arizona State 48, Colorado 23

HIGHLIGHTS

ICYM that last TD> Bercovici to White
🔥🏈🌵#CUvsASU pic.twitter.com/B7zzofQ1td

— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) October 11, 2015

RUNDOWN

Quickly the Buffs went down 14-0, but they answered back with a touchdown and had a chance to get back into the game. Colorado, however did not get back into the game but left it at a manageable 24 to 10 halftime deficit. Right before the first half ended, the Buffs had an opportunity to get a touchdown but had to settle for a field goal after some poor redzone clock management. Arizona State started the third quarter with an eight play 75 yard drive capped by a 45 yard touchdown throw. The Sun Devils scored again making the lead 38-10. At this point the game was a blow out and the third quarter had not even ended. It was the first time this season a game was out of reach for Colorado before entering the final 15 minutes of play. Both Colorado and Arizona State would score twice more before the fat lady sung leaving the final at Sun Devils 48, Buffaloes 23.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Mike Bercovici was 20 of 31 through the air with 5 touchdowns and one interception. Every fourth completion was a touchdown for the ASU quarterback. Bercovici found Tim White early and often. White had seven catches for 144 yards, but his efforts would not have been possible without the pretty passing from Bercovici. Bercovici also pulled the ball down seven times for a total of 40 yards.

PLAY OF THE GAME

#KeepingUpWithKodyKohl

32 yards receiving / 28 yards rushing / 2 TDs http://t.co/6L4AJZjokt

— Arizona State Sun Devils (@TheSunDevils) October 11, 2015

Arizona State’s first touchdown told the story of this game, no matter what the Buffs did, ASU found a way (sometimes with luck) and kept scoring. Here, ASU gets on the board after CU’s first drive stalled, Kody Kohl picked up Demario Richard fumble and took it 28 yards for an early seven point lead.

TURNING POINT OF THE GAME

After the Buffs quickly answered ASU’s second touchdown, Ahkello Witherspoon intercepted a Mike Bercovici pass to stop a surging Sun Devils offense. On the ensuing Buffs drive the Colorado offense went three and out leading to an Alex Kinney punt. That punt which was deep in the Buffs’ territory was blocked. ASU capitalized with an easy field goal to make it 17-7. The Buffs had more opportunities later in the game, but this was a huge chance for the Buffs to answer the Sun Devils early.

BY THE NUMBERS

1: Sefo Liufau was intercepted once in this game. When Liufau throws a pick the Buffs are 0-3, when he doesn’t the Buffs are 3-0.

8: That’s how many sacks Arizona State had on quarterback Sefo Liufau

18: The number of carries by Colorado running backs.

103: The yards Shay Fields had receiving. The first time in Fields’ career he went over 100 yards, and the first time this season Colorado had a wide receiver go over 100 yards.

QUOTE OF THE GAME

Mac: It's very very extremely disappointing.

— Jake Shapiro, but festive 🎁 (@Shapalicious) October 11, 2015

LASTING IMPACT

Pac-12 home teams are only 5-10 this season while in conference, of course the Buffs haven’t won a conference road game under head coach Mike MacIntyre. The last time Colorado won a Pac-12 road game was in 2012 against Washington State. One of the big questions this season is “can Colorado win a road game?” This is seen to be a barometer of how this program is advancing. That elusive road win did not come tonight.

All time, Colorado has never beaten Arizona State in football. The closest the Buffaloes have come was last year when ASU was only victorious by 14 points at Folsom Field.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The Buffs look to snap their 13 game confrence losing streak, and get back over .500 next week as they return to Folsom for Homecoming. They face Arizona who is 4-2 and coming off a 44-7 win against Oregon State. Colorado hosts Arizona on Saturday night at 7PM on FS1.