In their season finale, The University of Colorado football team fell to the Utah Utes in Salt Lake City 24-17 Saturday afternoon.
By Sam Routhier

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The No. 17 University of Colorado women’s basketball team beat the Alcorn State Braves in the Buffs’ home opener Friday night, 83-33

The post Women’s basketball blows past Alcorn State in home opener appeared first on CU Independent.

CU men’s basketball team secured it’s first victory of the season in its home opener Sunday against the University of Tennessee Martin Skyhawks by a score of 91-65.
By Sam Routhier

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Ben Mills looks to lead young basketball team alongside other standout Buffs.
By Sam Routhier

The post Ben Mills talks leadership in upcoming season appeared first on CU Independent.

The Buffs lost to UCLA in Pasadena, 45-23

The post Recap: Football at UCLA appeared first on CU Independent.

Second Quarter: With one half in the books, the Buffs trail the UCLA Bruins 21-13. Early in the second quarter, junior wide receiver Paul Richardson caught a seven-yard touchdown for the Buffs, capping a 73-yard drive. The touchdown followed a 38-yard reception by junior running back Tony Jones that put the Buffs in scoring position on the UCLA […]

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The University of Colorado women’s soccer team overcame a goal late from the USC Trojans to claim a 2-1 victory Friday at Prentup Field.

In a scoreless first half, the Buffs and Trojans traded possessions and fouls but both teams failed to find the back of the net. The Buffs threatened the Trojans in the 20th minute with shots from senior forward Anne Stuller and sophomore midfielder Olivia Pappalardo, but junior Trojan goalie Caroline Stanley managed to save both attempts.

Midfielder Madison Krauser goes up against a USC player Friday. She was the only freshman to start every game last year. (Gray Bender/CU Independent)

Buffs’ goalie, senior Annie Brunner, was challenged few times early in the game. Brunner, the reigning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week, received only three shots on goal and garnering her only save of the game in the first half.

It wasn’t until the 65th minute that freshman forward Brie Hooks broke the scoreless game with a goal assisted by freshman defender Alex Huynh. She sent the ball upfield on a free kick and connected with Hooks, who made the most of the chance and buried the goal past Stanley. The goal was Hooks’ eighth of the season, tying her with Stuller for the team lead. It was her first since returning from a knee injury that kept her off of the Buffs’ starting lineup for six games.

“As the game went on, I started getting my confidence back,” Hooks said. “That goal helps me get my feet back under me on the field.”

The Buffs extended their lead in the 71st minute with a goal from freshman midfielder Alyssa Herwatt. The goal, assisted by Hooks, was a bar-down finish that Herwatt managed to chip just out of reach of Stanley. It was Herwatt’s first of the season and also the first of her Buffs career.

“I’ve had a couple opportunities [to score] throughout the season and haven’t gotten one,” Herwatt said. “So I was really excited this one finally went in.”

USC didn’t give up. Trojan defender Marlee Carrillo, a sophomore, headed a goal in the 87th minute, cutting the Buffs’ lead to one. Carrillo’s header came off a free kick from Stanley, who came up and out of the Trojan goal to take the free kick close to midfield.

The Trojans were unable to tally a tying goal despite their aggression late in the game.

USC was booked for four yellow cards in the match, three of those coming in the final 10 minutes of play. The Trojans out-fouled the Buffs 22-12.

“I think it’s a Pac-12 competitive match,” CU Head Coach Danny Sanchez said in regard to the Trojans’ physical play. “I don’t feel there’s anything dirty. I think both teams were playing hard and competing.”

With Friday’s win, the Buffs move to 12-3-1 in the season, with a 4-2-1 record in the Pac-12.

The Buffs take on No. 2 UCLA Bruins at noon on Sunday at Prentup Field in what will be their last home game of the season.

“They’re a good team, definitely a favorite in the College Cup this year,” Stuller said. “But I think the way we’ve been playing, we can hang with them and we’re going for a result, a win, and we aren’t looking for anything less.”

With Friday’s win, the Buffs move to 12-3-1 in the season, with a 4-2-1 record in the Pac-12.

Contact CUIndependent staff writer Sam Routhier at Samuel.routhier@colorado.edu.

Buffs football won a sound 43-10 victory over the Charleston Southern University Buccaneers Saturday at Folsom Field.

The game marked the first start for freshman quarterback Sefo Liufau, which came later than expected. But it was another true freshman, running back Michael Adkins II, who stole the show for the Buffs.

Adkins rushed 137 yards and set the Buffs’ record for freshman rushing touchdowns in a single game at four.

“I didn’t score in my first three games, so scoring today really gave me a lot of confidence moving forward,” Adkins said.

Liufau came into the game just one week after he saw his first action of the season — replacing Connor Wood in Arizona State University’s 54-13 drubbing of the Buffs last week. After some shaky throws and a sack in the first quarter, Liufau settled in to the game. He finished the day with 198 yards passing and one touchdown, completing 14 of his 20 pass attempts.

“There are a couple things he can do better, no doubt, but he’ll see that on film,” MacIntyre said. “And now that he’s seen it, feels it and understands it, his nerves will calm down a little bit, and that will be good.”

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Richardson continued his big season for the Buffs with eight catches for 122 yards and one touchdown.

The Buccaneers amassed 148 yards rushing but were shaky in their pass game. The Buffs limited Buccaneers freshman quarterback Kyle Copeland to 48 yards passing. Copeland began the year as the Buccaneers’ third-string quarterback and made his first start of the season in this game.

The Buccaneers, who are in first place in the Big South conference and ranked 24th in the FCS, left Boulder with their first loss of the season.

The Buffs are now 3-3 overall and 0-3 in the Pac 12.

Charleston Southern served as a fill-in opponent in the makeup of the Sept. 14 game against Fresno State University that was canceled because of mid-September flooding in Colorado.

“We’re very thankful that Charleston Southern wanted to play us today, or we wouldn’t have been able to play,” MacIntyre said. “That was great for the city of Boulder, great for our campus and great for our team.”

The Buffs will take on the University of Arizona Wildcats at 6 p.m. Saturday in Boulder.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Sam Routhier at Samuel.routhier@colorado.edu.

Final Update: The University of Colorado football team lost in a blowout to the Sun Devils, 54-13. In a game that wasn’t close from the beginning, the Buffs’ defense allowed Arizona State to score at will, leading to a 25-0 lead for the Sun Devils after the first quarter. CU freshman quarterback Sefo Liufau made his collegiate debut in this game, replacing junior captain Connor Wood in the first quarter and playing the remainder of the game. Standout wide reciever Paul Richardson was held in check for the majority of the night, failing to record a catch in the first half and finishing the game with four receptions for 39 yards

If there’s one thing Buffs fans remember about tonight’s loss, it will be the debut of Liufau, who lost his eligibility to red shirt this season after entering tonight’s game. It remains to be seen who will start next week’s game vs. Charleston Southern at the quarterback position, but all signs point to Liufau.

Second Quarter Update: CU trails the Sun Devils 47-6. The Buffs opened the quarter with a 10-yard touchdown pass from freshman quarterback Sefo Liufau to sophomore wide receiver Nelson Spruce. The touchdown throw was the first of Liufau’s college career. Outside of that lone bright spot, the Sun Devils continue to dominate the Buffs in all phases of the game. Liufau’s intentional grounding penalty from within the Buffs end zone led to a safety that would add to Arizona State’s commanding lead. Safety Parker Orms has been ejected for targeting.

First Quarter Update: After the first quarter, the University of Colorado football team trails the Sun Devils 25-0. True freshman quarterback Sefo Liufau has replaced Connor Wood, making his first appearance for the Buffs. Sun Devils running back Marion Grice has two rushing touchdowns and 62 yards rushing.

Follow the action on twitter during the game at @CUISports.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Sam Routhier at Sam.Routhier@colorado.edu

The University of Colorado women’s soccer team closed out a five-game home stand Sunday afternoon with a 1-0 win over Oregon.

On a Family Day that had Ralphie running the field before the game and a ceremony at halftime honoring the 10^th anniversary of the 2003 Big 12 Champion team, the Buffs were able to hold off the Ducks and secure a victory in front of a sizable home crowd at Prentup FIeld.

Both teams had scoring opportunities in the first half, but solid goalkeeping from both sides kept the game scoreless. The Buffs did well possessing the ball early, with exceptional play in transition from midfielders Darcy Jerman and Olivia Pappalardo.

It was in the 62^nd minute that defender Hayley Hughes was able to put the Buffs on the board, with a gorgeous strike from distance that found its way to the top right corner and just out of the reach of Ducks keeper Abby Steele.

Oregon refused to let up, still managing to take nine shots in the second half and keep the Buffs on alert to protect the one-goal lead. Buffs forward Annie Stuller held the ball well in the waning minutes, creating chances late for CU.

“When you see the clock ticking down you don’t want to make mistakes,” CU head coach Danny Sanchez said. “I felt Stuller really battled up top to hold the ball for us.”

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Buffs keeper Annie Brunner racked up four saves in her seventh clean sheet of the season.

The Ducks were physical, tallying nine fouls in the first half and 16 in total. Oregon defender Gabbie Lindeman received a yellow card in the 50^th minute.

CU completes a weekend sweep of Oregon teams with the victory, adding to their first-ever Pac-12 home win against Oregon State on Friday. This win also moved the Buffs to 2-1 in conference play so far this season.

“There’s always room for improvement,” Sanchez said. “But in the big picture, we’re real happy. We gutted out that win.”

The Buffs are now 10-2, while Oregon fell to 2-7-3 on the season. CU hits the road this week, starting a three-game road trip at Washington State this Friday.

Contact CUIndependent staff writer Sam Routhier at Samuel.routhier@colorado.edu.