Colorado vs. Arizona results, highlights: Shedeur Sanders totals 3 touchdowns, Buffaloes' defense dominates in win over Wildcats

Daniel Mader

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Colorado vs. Arizona results, highlights: Shedeur Sanders totals 3 touchdowns, Buffaloes' defense dominates in win over Wildcats image

Colorado cruised to its fifth win of the season on Saturday. 

After a close loss to Kansas State last week, the Buffaloes bounced back in big fashion with a 34-7 win over Arizona in Week 8. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders did the heavy lifting for Colorado's offense in the victory, totaling 250 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, two interceptions and a rushing score. 

However, it was the Buffaloes' defense that made the most significant impact on the matchup. Against Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita, Colorado totaled seven sacks, an interception and two forced fumbles, keeping Arizona from finding any type of offensive momentum after a first-quarter touchdown. Wildcats WR Tetairoa McMillan, who entered Saturday ranked third in college football with 742 receiving yards, was held to just 38 yards against the Buffaloes.

Heisman Trophy candidate Travis Hunter, who left Colorado's matchup last week with an apparent shoulder injury, didn't play in the second half on Saturday. While it was reportedly for precautionary measures as the Buffaloes took a big lead into halftime, the two-way star's injury status continues to be worth monitoring moving forward. He finished with two catches for 17 yards on offense and one tackle on defense.

Colorado used its dominant win to improve to 5-2 this season, while Arizona fell to 3-4. The Buffaloes will now get set to face Cincinnati in Week 9, and the Wildcats will prepare for a matchup against West Virginia.

The Sporting News tracked live scoring updates and highlights from Colorado vs. Arizona on Saturday, including Hunter's live stats. Here's what you may have missed.

MORE: What Travis Hunter had to say about his Heisman Trophy case vs. Ashton Jeanty's

Colorado vs. Arizona score

 Q1Q2Q3Q4F
Colorado14143334
Arizona70007

NCAAF HQ: Live NCAAF scores | Updated NCAAF standings | Full NCAAF schedule

Travis Hunter stats vs. Arizona*

  • Receptions: 2
  • Receiving yards: 17
  • AVG: 8.5
  • TDs: 0
  • Tackles: 1
  • Passed defended: 0
  • INTs: 0

*Hunter didn't play in the second half

Colorado vs. Arizona updates, highlights from Week 8 college football matchup

All times ET

7:19 p.m. — Colorado took a few knees to run the clock down, and time runs out on the Wildcats after running some plays. The Buffaloes walk away with a strong 34-7 win, as Sanders threw a pair of touchdown passes and the team's defense dominated. 

7:11 p.m. — The Wildcats fumbled the ball away, giving the Buffaloes another opportunity to run the clock out. Charlie Offerdahl finds a hole for a 39-yard gain on the ground.

Colorado 34, Arizona 7

7:05 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Mata kicks it between the uprights for his second field goal of the day. It's a 27-point lead for the Buffaloes.

7:02 p.m. — Colorado punted after an incomplete pass on 3rd & 7, but Colton Hood gets the ball right back. Noah Fifita throws an interception, which Hood returns for 46 yards.

6:53 p.m. — The Buffaloes take the ball back after another Arizona punt. Over eight minutes remain in this contest, but Colorado is in full control. 

6:51 p.m. — Colorado's defensive line can't be stopped right now. Arden Walker takes down Fifita for a loss of eight yards, the Buffaloes' seventh sack of the game.

6:48 p.m. — Jack Luttrell picks off Shedeur Sanders for the second time today, this time on a 4th & 3. Sanders came into Week 8 with just four interceptions all season, but now has two in one game.

6:44 p.m. — After Colorado forced another Wildcats punt, Sanders finds Jimmy Horn Jr. for 10 yards, the receiver's second catch of the day. 

End of third quarter: Colorado 31, Arizona 7

6:37 p.m. — Samuel Okunlola gets to Noah Fifita on first down for Colorado's fifth sack of the day, and the third quarter comes to an end soon after. 

6:35 p.m. — The Buffaloes register their first three-and-out of the game, punting the ball back to Arizona.

6:31 p.m. — Fifita is sacked for the fourth time today, forcing the Wildcats to punt again. The Buffaloes' defense has been dominant so far. 

Colorado 31, Arizona 7

6:22 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Alejandro Mata connects from 28 yards out, making it a 24-point lead for Colorado.

6:19 p.m. — Colorado is now inside the Wildcats' 20-yard line after a nine-yard play between Sanders and Wester.

6:15 p.m. — Sanders hits Wester and Sheppard for 12 yards each to begin Colorado's first drive of the second half.

6:13 p.m. — More information on Travis Hunter:

6:09 p.m. — A pass interference call on the Buffaloes initially kept Arizona's drive alive, but penalties come back to hurt the Wildcats as well. They punt to begin the second half. 

6:06 p.m. — Per the Fox broadcast, Travis Hunter is done for the day. Colorado's two-way star won't play in the second half, as the team's trying to remain cautious after his injury last week. 

6:03 p.m. — Arizona begins the second half with the ball, and Fifita starts with a 10-yard completion to McMillan, who's up to three catches today.

Halftime: Colorado 28, Arizona 7

5:41 p.m. — The Wildcats punt, and Sanders takes a knee to send the game to the break. The Buffaloes quarterback was 15-for-21 in the first half with 173 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

5:37 p.m. — Arizona is looking to get more points on the board before halftime, but it now faces a 3rd & 12 at its own 47-yard line.

Colorado 28, Arizona 7

5:28 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Sanders takes it up the middle of the field himself, a six-yard rushing score as Colorado makes it a commanding 28-7 lead.

5:23 p.m. — Arizona punted after a three-and-out. Colorado will have a 3rd & 1 after the two-minute warning for the first half.

5:19 p.m. — Make it three consecutive turnovers for these two teams. Shedeur Sanders throws a pick on 3rd & 16, and the Wildcats take over once again.

5:17 p.m. — And, the Buffaloes take the ball right back. Fifita loses the ball as he's being sacked, and Arizona's very short drive comes to an end. 

5:15 p.m. — Arizona comes up with a huge turnover. The ball is snapped by Colorado before Sanders is ready for it, and the Wildcats jump on it to take possession. 

5:13 p.m. — Sanders continues his excellent first half with back-to-back completions to LaJohntay Wester, who already has five receptions for 99 yards.

5:07 p.m. — Arizona got inside the Colorado 30-yard line, but it's stopped around there. Fifita is sacked on 3rd & 2 to force a field goal attempt, which Tyler Loop misses from 52 yards out.

5:04 p.m. — As the Wildcats look to answer, running back Quali Conley picks up seven yards on the ground to convert on third down.

Colorado 21, Arizona 7

5:00 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Sanders throws yet another touchdown pass, this one going to Sheppard on a nice one-handed grab. After a review, the ruling confirms that Sheppard had possession and got a foot in the end zone.

4:55 p.m. — Colorado goes for it on 4th & 10, and Hunter comes up huge with his first catch of the day. It's a 14-yard completion between the two stars, Sanders and Hunter, and the Buffaloes are threatening to score once again.

4:51 p.m. — Sanders finds Will Sheppard for 20 yards, and the quarterback is already up to 98 passing yards on the day.

End of first quarter: Colorado 14, Arizona 7

4:47 p.m. — Back to a one-score game, Augustave picks up a first down as the first quarter comes to a close. Colorado is in control, but Hunter hasn't made an impact on either side of the ball so far.

Colorado 14, Arizona 7

4:40 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Fifita completes a one-yard pass to Chris Hunter for the score, putting Arizona on the board. 

4:38 p.m. — Fifita runs for 24 yards, and the Wildcats are inside Colorado's 15-yard line.

4:34 p.m. — Noah Fifita first completes a 10-yard pass to Tetairoa McMillan for a first down then draws a roughing the passer call, which pushes Arizona past midfield.

Colorado 14, Arizona 0

4:29 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Shedeur Sanders flips the ball to the freshman, Drelon Miller, from a yard out to give the Buffaloes a two-score lead.

4:23 p.m. — Colorado is driving deep into Wildcats' territory after Sanders completed a pair of passes to Wester to convert on third downs. The Buffaloes quarterback looked toward Travis Hunter in the end zone, but Arizona is called for pass interference.

4:15 p.m. — The Buffaloes' defense comes through on Arizona's first drive, forcing the Wildcats to punt after a sack on third down.

Colorado 7, Arizona 0

4:09 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — What a start for Colorado. After recovering the onside kick, Shedeur Sanders completed a 46-yard pass to LaJohntay Wester on 3rd & 15 that put the Buffaloes on the goal line. Isaiah Augustave punches it in from there, and Colorado has an early lead.

4:07 p.m. — We have some chaos right off the bat. Arizona attempts an onside kick to begin the game, but the Buffaloes still recover and their offense takes the field.

4:04 p.m. — Game time. Colorado will receive the opening kickoff.

3:42 p.m. — Approaching kickoff, here's a look at each team's stylish helmets in this game:

2:46 p.m. — A look at Hunter's cleats today against Arizona:

2:41 p.m. — This game could offer one of the best WR-CB matchups of the 2024 college football season between Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan and Colorado's Travis Hunter. While Hunter will be aiming to make an offensive impact as well, he could have his hands full defensively against one of the top receivers in the country.

Colorado vs. Arizona start time

  • Date: Saturday, Oct. 19
  • Time: 4 p.m. ET

The Buffaloes and Wildcats will kickoff on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET. The game will be played at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona.

What channel is Colorado vs. Arizona on today?

  • TV channel: Fox
  • Live stream: Fubo

Colorado and Arizona's matchup will air nationally on Fox. Fans looking to stream the game can turn to Fubo, which offers a free trial to new users. 

MORE: Full TV schedule for Week 8 college football games

Colorado schedule 2024

Following Saturday's game, here's a look at the Buffaloes' next five weeks of action.

DateOpponentTime (ET)
Oct. 26vs. Cincinnati10:15 p.m.
Nov. 9at Texas TechTBD
Nov. 16vs. UtahTBD
Nov. 23at KansasTBD
Nov. 29vs. Oklahoma StateTBD

Arizona schedule 2024

Here's how the next five games look for Arizona after its matchup against Colorado.

DateOpponentTime (ET)
Oct. 26vs. West VirginiaTBD
Nov. 2at UCFTBD
Nov. 15vs. Houston10:15 p.m.
Nov. 23at TCUTBD
Nov. 30vs. Arizona StateTBD

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Daniel Mader

Daniel Mader Photo

Daniel Mader joined Sporting News as an editorial intern in 2024 following his graduation from Penn State University. Previously, he covered Penn State, high school and local sports beats for NBC Sports, the Centre Daily Times, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Daily Collegian and LancasterOnline. He grew up in Lancaster, Penn., with a love for baseball that’ll never fade, but could also talk basketball or football for days.