SALT LAKE CITY — Utah football started strong and never looked back as they cruised to a 53-7 win over the Colorado Buffaloes at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday.
The 46-point difference was the largest margin of victory for the Utes in the history of the Rumble of the Rockies rivalry, which dates back to 1903. The previous highest was 42 points, set back in 2022 when Utah beat Colorado 63-21 in Boulder.
True freshman quarterback Byrd Ficklin got the week nine start and flourished, throwing for 140 yards and two touchdowns and adding 151 yards on the ground with a third score.
Maybe most impressively, the Utes led 43-0 at halftime and held the Buffaloes to negative 18 yards of total offense. Utah will stay at home to face the No. 21 Cincinnati Bearcats next Saturday.
Pregame
And here come the 𝐔𝐓𝐄𝐒‼️🚨#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/j5PnaBUP9s
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
On the job💼🔒#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/2cvG339F63
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
Utah QB’s warming up. pic.twitter.com/TJzLqVfDjP
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐘 ⚪️🔴⚪️#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/oWsEOQYVEb
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
Byrd Ficklin & Devon Dampier getting throws in. pic.twitter.com/fKrheiCVnn
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
Devon Dampier is officially available for Utah tonight……… pic.twitter.com/rBFBWn3q8p
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘 𝐎𝐍 3️⃣‼️#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/ffS1qYzsXT
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
UTAH MILI‼️🔊#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/naUIBfw0vz
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
Utah will start true freshman Byrd Ficklin tonight. pic.twitter.com/hJxYxoZsXI
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
Game 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐘🔒
📺: @ESPNCFB #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/5aTiTpUXla
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
First Quarter
Making his 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 career start for the Utes‼️🦅#GoUtes | @FicklinJamarian pic.twitter.com/SoavkCeqgh
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
BYRD FICKLIN TOUCHDOWN pic.twitter.com/MtG1lOs5iJ
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
63 YDS TO THE 🏠#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/Ma8xL5BzMG
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
After picking up a first down, Utah gets a couple stops and then Trey Reynolds gets a sack on 3rd down to make 4th & 19…
Buffs to punt… Utah to begin this next possession at the 24 yard line.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
#GoUtes | @TreyReynoldsQC pic.twitter.com/RXJiKir7yh
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
Utah fakes the punt, as Orion Phillips complets a pass to Dallen Bentley who takes it 25 yards into Colorado territory.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
FAKE PUNT ALERT‼️🚨 @OrionPhillips14 throws a dime to @dallenbentley to keep the offense on the field!!#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/cVmZ8aeo50
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
Utah sends out Dillon Curtis to attempt a 47 yard field goal on 4th & 4…
A false start sends them back 5 yards and Curtis will now attempt a 52-yarder.
It’s good! Had plenty of leg too. That gives Utah an early 10-0 advantage.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
.@dilloncurtis07 shows off the 🦿 and drains a 53 yarder‼️#GoUtes | @Good2GoBar pic.twitter.com/pFZSIkfVSD
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
3rd down completion in the flat and Jackson Bennee flies in to make a big tackle for no gain.
Flag down, appears to be holding on Jordon Seaton… actually a face mask. Utah declines.
Colorado punts and Carvalho returns it to the 42 yard line.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
Wayshawn Parker with an absolutely filthy run, took it to the house for a 58-yard touchdown!
Utah goes up 17-0 in the 1st quarter.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
.@WayshawnParker putting the defense on ⛸ as he finds his way into the end zone‼️#GoUtes | @pepsi pic.twitter.com/7FNQmM6EoA
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/mnyl8goMBW
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
Tao Johnson interception! Great play by the free safety…
Utah takes over at their own 35 yard line.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
On 3rd & 24, Ficklin and Bray fumbled the option mesh, but Ficklin was able to fall on it.
Utah will likely punt on 4th & 23 to start the next quarter.
The Utes own a 17-0 lead and have ran for 167 yards, while throwing for 36.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
🔴⚪️⚪️⚪️
END Q1
Utah: 17
Colorado: 0#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/YelOS0aUO5
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
Second Quarter
JHD and Jordon Seaton have been jawing back & forth all game long. That’s been a fun battle to keep an eye on.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
That’s got to be a safety…
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
Yep, flag comes out… Salter was under pressure quick, Hall was on him in the blink of an eye.
Salter threw it away with no one around. Defense gets the safety and Utah goes up 19-0. https://t.co/V4jETTOvny
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
Intentional grounding in the end zone on Colorado, and that’s a SAFETY!
Utah 19
Colorado 0
2Q | 14:29 pic.twitter.com/BfecITUQzr
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 26, 2025
Ficklin has made some really impressive decisions with the ball in that option tonight. He keeps for another big gain up the middle.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
JJ Buchanan touchdown! Ficklin with a great ball, he finally took his time in the pocket and found an open Buchanan on the sideline.
Utah pushes the lead to 26-0
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/JJeP0JPnN9
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
Byrd Ficklin hits JJ Buchanan on the sideline from 22 yards out and #81 gets into the end zone.
Utah 26
Colorado 0 pic.twitter.com/I3U7Q5lMYy
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 26, 2025
Carvalho weaves his way through traffic for a 17 yard return and Utah starts at their own 40.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
3rd & 6… Ficklin rifles one to Buchanan, who makes a great grab to haul it in. Utah first down and into Colorado territory.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
Semi Taulanga is flagged for an illegal blindside block and Utah moves back to their own 46.
Utah will be 2nd and 21… Ficklin keeps it on a draw and picks up 10 yards.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
Ficklin with time in the pocket, he tucks it and runs, picking up the first down on a 13-yard gain.
Utah in business at the Colorado 31 now.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
Ficklin picks up 12 yards on a keeper…
But Caleb Lomu is flagged for an unsportsmanlike penalty. Utah gets the first down.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
Great ball by Ficklin down the sideline to Larry Simmons, who makes another toe-tap grab for 19 yards.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
NaQuari Rogers punches it into the end zone to push Utah’s first half lead to 32-0.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
Utah’s NaQuari Rogers punches it into the touchdown! The Utes now have gave 247 first half rushing yards.
Utah 33
Colorado 0 pic.twitter.com/V2tRA9Lt0g
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 26, 2025
#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/jpfgNMRjsn
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
Johnathan Hall gets credit for a sack on that 3rd down… I thought he needed to step up in this one without Lander Barton on the field, and he’s done exactly that.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
Johnathan Hall gets the sack on 3rd down and then Colorado shanks the punt.
Utah takes over at the Colorado 21 yard line. pic.twitter.com/hu61aTNNO8
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 26, 2025
Byrd Ficklin with a touchdown pass to Larry Simmons from 21 yards out and Utah has pushed their lead to 40-0.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
Byrd Ficklin fires a strike to Larry Simmons from 21 yards out for the touchdown!
Utah 40
Colorado 0 pic.twitter.com/DxtltEZ3am
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 26, 2025
#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/brX80VlDme
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
Utah currently holds a 40-0 lead over Colorado with 2:08 left in the first half. https://t.co/jRoYhgOWxC
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 26, 2025
Another Utah sack and it’s 4th and 13…
Utah calls a timeout with 1:45 left.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
https://t.co/ZAALbVuHE9 pic.twitter.com/mvUlQePzmo
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
Logan Fano has been fantastic tonight, he gets the sack on 3rd down.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
Jackson Bennee off the edge, blocks the punt now!
Utah takes over at the 7 yard line with :41 left.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
That’s where the freshman inexperience shows up. Utah is able to put up a Dillon Curtis field goal, but :41 seconds was a lot of time to add a touchdown there. He’ll learn from that, for sure.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
.@dilloncurtis07 ends the half with another 3️⃣ to our total‼️#GoUtes | @Good2GoBar pic.twitter.com/xHBl60lt0H
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
🔴🔴⚪️⚪️
HALFTIME
Utah: 43
Colorado: 0#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/mAZG5LA9Kq
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
Third Quarter
Above RES 🙌 pic.twitter.com/JUl8dVn9M6
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) October 26, 2025
Smith Snowden breaks up the 3rd down pass attempt to force another Colorado punt.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
Vibe check📈🔊#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/IyZPbvkSHF
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
A near-4-minutes possession ends in a Dillon Curtis 45 yard field goal.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
.@dilloncurtis07 tacks on another 3️⃣‼️#GoUtes | @Good2GoBar pic.twitter.com/BF4eNrk6lc
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
Dillon Curtis converts another field goal, this one from 45 yards out. He’s now 3-for-3 on attempts tonight.
Utah 46
Colorado 0 pic.twitter.com/RAEzQ64Fzm
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 26, 2025
🔴🔴🔴⚪️
End Q3
Utah: 46
Colorado: 0#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/x81LjhrBsE
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
Fourth Quarter
Isaac Wilson checks in for Utah to start the 4th quarter.
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 26, 2025
Wayshawn Parker breaks loose for a 49 yard gain to start the 4th!
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
Oh man, he left that well short… Probably striking the ground before the ball, sort of like my how I do it with my pitching wedge. https://t.co/mPYXvciiOw
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
DEFENSE has been playing lights out❌#GoUtes | #RSNB pic.twitter.com/TqJg2wpAye
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
Colorado spoils the shutout with a QB sneak.
Utah 46
Colorado 7
4Q | 9:03
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 26, 2025
Nate Johnson breaks loose on a wildcat keeper for a 61 yard touchdown.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2025
Nate Johnson finds a lane straight to the end zone and puts another 6️⃣ on the board‼️#GoUtes | @pepsi pic.twitter.com/LWQqigvPsJ
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
Nate Johnson breaks free for a 61-yard touchdown, and Utah leads 53-7! #GoUtes #Big12FB pic.twitter.com/mWgXYDLchM
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 26, 2025
🔴🔴🔴🔴 LIGHT THE U‼️
FINAL
Utah: 53
Colorado: 7#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/pD6DdKAMfA
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts The Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to break down the Utes. You can follow him on X for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.
Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com. Follow Chandler on X for Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.
Take us with you, wherever you go.