The Colorado football team allowed self-inflicted mistakes to doom them on Saturday night.

Julian Lewis threw his first career INT and the Buffs were penalized at the most inopportune times. To make matters worse, Northwestern QB Aidan Chiles had his best game as a Wildcat.

Here are three takeaways from the Colorado football team’s 41-7 loss to Northwestern (2-0).

Turnovers, penalties cost Colorado football team

The Colorado football team found itself in an insurmountable hole down 21-0 at halftime thanks in large part to costly turnovers.

Four of the Buffs’ first five drives on Saturday night ended with a turnover, including a turnover on downs. Micah Welch lost a fumble on Colorado’s second possession and a botched handoff exchange between Julian Lewis and Damian Henderson gave Northwestern the ball back on the next drive.

Four minutes of game clock later, Julian Lewis was fooled and intercepted for the first time in his career as a Buff. On the following drive, Colorado turned the ball over on downs just four plays after a 28-yard run by Jaquail Smith.

It was a nightmare first half as it relates to turnovers and the penalty situation wasn’t much better.

The Buffs had five penalties for 46 yards, including a couple that directly led to Northwestern TDs. A Cree Thomas defensive holding and a Boo Carter unsportsmanlike conduct extended Wildcat drives and dug Colorado a deeper hole.

It’s nearly impossible to overcome four first-half turnovers and untimely penalties, especially when you’re on the road against a quality opponent.

Defense has worst outing of season

Perhaps the Colorado football team’s Week 2 win over Weber state was a sign of things to come.

Coach Prime wasn’t happy after the game despite a lopsided victory and it appears some of those issues seeped into Week 3. The Buffs gave up 372 total yards (245 passing yards) to FCS Weber State last week and allowed Aidan Chiles to look like the best version of himself.

Now at his third school in four years, Chiles was effective as a runner and passer on Saturday night. He scored five total TDs (three passing, two rushing) and completed 77% of his passes for 241 yards.

On a 3rd and 16 in the second quarter, Chiles evaded a few Buffs before delivering a strike for 20-yard completion and a first down. It was just on example of how Chiles’ athleticism and mobility gave Colorado’s defense problems all night.

Joseph Himon II caught all three TDs from Chiles which continues a trend during the Coach Prime era of allowing RBs to make big plays as a receiver.

After an impressive season opener for DC Chris Marve’s unit, the Colorado football team’s defense has looked suspect in two consecutive games. That side of the ball must get cleaned up before Big 12 play begins.

Brennan Marion, Julian Lewis yet to get on same page

Julian Lewis and Colorado’s offense have had moments, but the truth of the matter is that the unit hasn’t been good enough through three weeks. Colorado OC Brennan Marion and Lewis have seemingly yet to get on the same page and that’s a concerning reality.

The Buffs’ offense was virtually nonexistent through three quarters in Week 1 before coming alive for a game-winning drive. Lewis and Colorado’s offense was nearly flawless last week vs. Weber State, but that was against an FCS opponent.

The harsh reality is that the Buffs’ offense has scored just three TDs (21 points) in two games against Power 4 opponents this season. That’s not going to cut it in the Big 12.

Both Julian Lewis, Brennan Marion and the entire Colorado football team (2-1) have to be better moving forward.

Follow Colorado Buffaloes beat reporter Scott Procter on X.