Boulder, Colo. \u2022 Isaac Wilson stepped up in the pocket and scanned the end zone, hoping he could find an open receiver while the seconds ticked down on the clock at Folsom Field on Saturday night. <\/p>\n
Three seconds. Two seconds. One second. <\/p>\n
The former Utah quarterback bumped into his blocking halfback \u2014 almost tumbling onto the turf \u2014 before launching the ball toward the center of the end zone. <\/p>\n
The ball spiraled through the air as Colorado fans in the north stands screamed, \u201cC\u2019mon, c\u2019mon, c\u2019mon!\u201d \u2014 hoping and praying the ball would result in six points. Instead? The ball met the outstretched arm of Braden Pegan, who batted it down and ended the Buffaloes\u2019 attempts at a comeback win.<\/p>\n
Utah (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) had officially escaped with a 27-24 win over the Buffaloes (2-4, 0-3) on Saturday night, keeping the Utes name off the lofty list of top-25 teams upset in college football this weekend.<\/p>\n
Wilson, the former Utah quarterback, surely wanted it to go down differently. He finished the night with 18 completions for 256 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted this one bad. I wanted this one really bad,\u201d Wilson said.<\/p>\n
Then he thoughtfully considered his next words before landing on the phrase he wanted to say:<\/p>\n
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\u201cAnother man\u2019s trash is another man\u2019s treasure. So hopefully, I can keep it rolling for Colorado. We need a win. That starts with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
A year ago, Wilson was still donning Utah red. He started the season as Devon Dampier\u2019s backup but then fell behind Byrd Ficklin on the depth chart.<\/p>\n
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes quarterback Isaac Wilson (11) looks to pass as Utah Utes offensive lineman Reece Parmenter (64) defends and Colorado Buffaloes linebacker Jeremiah Brown (42) plays defense during the game between the Utah Utes and the Colorado Buffaloes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.<\/p>\n
Admittedly, Utah never felt like the right fit for Wilson.<\/p>\n
In what was supposed to be a developmental year behind Cam Rising, Wilson was thrust into a starting role as a true freshman after Rising\u2019s final season was cut short by multiple injuries. <\/p>\n
Wilson finished that year with more interceptions than touchdowns. That offseason, he put his name in the transfer portal … only to come back and see if a different offensive staff would be a better fit. <\/p>\n
Turns out, it wasn\u2019t. <\/p>\n
So, yeah, Wilson felt a little extra motivation while trying to spoil Utah\u2019s undefeated start to the season on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should be winning,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cThat game made me so angry. I\u2019m going into every game like that. … There\u2019s blood in the water, and we\u2019re gonna go get it.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the first half, Utah looked like it would have an easy time against the former four-star quarterback. The Buffaloes tallied 70 yards of total offense, and Wilson threw a costly interception at the end of the second quarter.<\/p>\n
The Buffaloes were down 13-0 at the break.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hate seeing zero on the board,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cI know the defense is relying on us. They were preaching us all week: score, score, score, score, score. <\/p>\n
\u201cI need to take care of the ball.\u201d<\/p>\n
Colorado quarterback Isaac Wilson looks to throw a pass in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech, Saturday, Oct. 3 2026, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)<\/p>\n
Wilson found something at halftime. On Colorado\u2019s opening drive of the second half, he connected with running back JaQuail Smith on a checkdown route that went for a 68-yard score. <\/p>\n
The Buffs went on to score 10 more unanswered points, and the junior had his former team on the ropes, trailing for the first time all season.<\/p>\n
Utah ultimately responded. Devon Dampier led a touchdown drive at the end of the third quarter, and then cornerback James \u201cBobo\u201d Chenault intercepted an errant throw by Wilson.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like to be a perfectionist,\u201d Wilson said of his tendency to force plays. \u201cI like to know what everything\u2019s happening, everyone\u2019s going, where the ball is going to be, all the little details. <\/p>\n
\u201cI can make any throw on the field if you give me the chance. I just need to eliminate the [negative plays].\u201d<\/p>\n
Dampier and the Utes turned Wilson\u2019s mistake into another seven points with 3:43 left in the game. Wilson still had some magic up his sleeve.<\/p>\n
The Buffaloes went eight plays for 83 yards before Wilson found DeAndre Moore Jr. wide open for his second touchdown of the game, bringing the Buffaloes to within three points.<\/p>\n
\u201cIsaac is not gonna give up, man,\u201d Colorado coach Deion Sanders said. \u201cHe\u2019s not built like that. He\u2019s not designed like that. His family raised him correctly, and the kids love him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wilson got one more shot, too.<\/p>\n
As the clock ticked under 10 seconds, the former Corner Canyon High star broke free near midfield. In an effort to gain a few more yards, Wilson pitched the ball backward to a teammate. <\/p>\n
The problem: Wilson\u2019s momentum carried the ball forward, and it was ruled an illegal forward pass. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat pitch was awesome,\u201d Sanders said. \u201cIt was just momentum. The momentum took him, and the pitch went forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
The result wasn\u2019t so awesome for the Buffaloes. The penalty kept Colorado out of field goal range, and Wilson was forced to heave up his failed Hail Mary attempt. <\/p>\n
The former Ute will have to get his revenge.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so mad and sad about that game because I wanted it so bad,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Until next time. <\/p>\n
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