Colorado Buffaloes vs. UCLA Bruins: Final Summary and Highlights

The Colorado Buffaloes are 4-0 for the first time since 1998 with a 38-16 win to open Pac-12 play over the UCLA Bruins on Friday (9/28). There were a total of 75 plays ran by CU’s offense (27 pass, 48 run) with five total touchdowns and a field goal from James Stefanou.

Colorado won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. Both teams traded possessions before UCLA put up the first points of the game with a 11-yard touchdown pass from Dorian Thompson-Robinson to Michael Ezeike.

Drive Summary: 8 plays, 47 yards, 4:29 | 7:26 1st quarter

UCLA 7, Colorado 0

Steven Montez and the Buffs responded quickly on the next drive, connecting with Laviska Shenault Jr. for a 57-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at seven all.

Drive Summary: 5 plays, 85 yards, 2:20 | 5:00 1st quarter

Colorado 7, UCLA 7

UCLA lagged down the field with their longest drive of the game, but came away with a 21-yard J.J. Molson field goal instead of getting in the end zone.

Drive Summary: 11 plays, 71 yards, 4:03 | 0:57 1st quarter

UCLA 10, Colorado 7

The Buffs and Bruins had unsuccessful drives ending in punts before CU would get their second touchdown of the night, a 10-yard run from Montez off the right side of the line.

Drive Summary: 12 plays, 80 yards, 5:51 | 6:13 2nd quarter

Colorado 14, UCLA 10

UCLA added another Molson field goal from 50 yards out right before halftime.

Drive Summary: 11 plays, 42 yards, 4:33 | 1:40 2nd quarter

Colorado 14, UCLA 13

CU’s drive stalled quickly out of the break giving UCLA another field goal from Molson. This time a 40-yard kick to retake the lead.

Drive Summary: 6 plays, 66 yards, 2:01 | 10:36 3rd quarter

UCLA 16, Colorado 14

Colorado took advantage of the next drive and marched down the field for a third score of the game, a 1-yard wildcat formation run for Shenault to take command and never look back.

Drive Summary: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:51 | 7:45 3rd quarter

Colorado 21, UCLA 16

Colorado would hammer away at UCLA by forcing the first of four straight punts. Travon McMillian then walked in from the 6-yard line, increasing the Buffs lead to 12 points.

Drive Summary: 13 plays, 67 yards, 5:45 | 1:04 3rd quarter

Colorado 28, UCLA 16

Buffs kicker James Stefanou splits the uprights with a 41-yard field goal, pushing the lead to three scores.

Drive Summary: 6 plays, 51 yards, 2:59 | 11:46 4th quarter

Colorado 31, UCLA 16

Next was a very successful drive for the Buffs pounding the rock on the ground with McMillian going over 100 yards rushing for a third time this season. Montez busted loose for a 35-yard touchdown run. His second rushing score of the night.

Drive Summary: 5 plays, 63 yards, 3:01 | 7:15 4th quarter

Colorado 38, UCLA 16 Final

Final Stats:

Colorado: 477 total yards

S. Montez: 22-of-26, 237 yards, 1 TD (pass), 11 carries, 81 yards, 2 TD (rush)

T. McMillian: 21 carries, 102 yards, 1 TD

L. Shenault: 12 receptions, 126 yards, 1 TD

T. Brown: 6 receptions, 77 yards

UCLA: 289 total yards

D. Thompson-Robinson: 17-of-35, 138 yards, 1 TD

J. Kelley: 12 carries, 124 yards

D. Felton: 3 receptions, 49 yards