November 17th 2024.
On a crisp Saturday afternoon at Folsom Field, the CU defense proved once again that they are a crucial part of the team's success this season. As Shilo Sanders made a powerful hit on Utah quarterback Isaac Wilson, forcing a fumble in the fourth quarter, it was clear that the Buffs' defense was just as strong as their flashy offense.
Head coach Deion Sanders acknowledged that Utah was playing with their third or fourth string quarterback, but he was still pleased with where his team was at. He also noted that there is still room for improvement, despite the impressive statistics. The 49-24 victory over Utah solidified the Buffs' record at 8-2 and put them within reach of a spot in the Big 12 championship game.
CU's defense was dominant throughout the game, suffocating the struggling Utes offense. They held Utah to a mere 31 rushing yards on 30 attempts, and limited them to an average of only 3.8 yards per play. The Buffs also recorded four sacks for a total loss of 29 yards, and five hurries on top of that. Wilson, who struggled throughout the game, only completed 53% of his passes. The Buffs' defense also had three interceptions and a fumble recovery, making it look easy to limit Utah to just two field goals in the first half.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who had a bit of a rocky start, joked that he might have to treat the defense to dinner for saving him. Defensive coordinator Robert Livingston's unit had a number of standout players in this game. Travis Hunter, who is known for his impressive interceptions, made another one in the game. Linebackers Hill-Green and LaVonta Bentley were also key players in setting the tone for the defense. Hill-Green and cornerback DJ McKinney also contributed interceptions in the second half, before Shilo Sanders delivered the final blow. Safety Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig had seven tackles, and linemen BJ Green and Arden Walker had strong performances as well.
Coach Prime praised Hill-Green and Bentley, calling them the "heartbeat of the defense." He also acknowledged Silmon-Craig as the defensive attitude of the team. Despite their overall domination of Utah, Sanders pointed out that there is still room for improvement. Hunter gave up a touchdown on a deep pass, and Wilson was able to find some success in the third and fourth quarters. Sanders emphasized the need for consistency on deep plays and for better coverage on tight ends.
Despite these areas for improvement, the CU defense has come a long way from last year's unreliable unit. They have been crucial in helping the team close out games and even propel them to blowout wins. And with an impressive offense led by the talented No. 2, and what Sanders believes to be the best receiving corps in the country, this defense has what it takes to lead CU to the Big 12 championship game and beyond.
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