Byrd Ficklin Leads Utah To Dominating 53-7 Win Over Colorado
Oct 25, 2025, 11:55 PM | Updated: Oct 26, 2025, 3:04 am
SALT LAKE CITY — What was billed as a tricky Big 12 matchup, “The Rumble In The Rockies” with Colorado was completely one-sided. Utah took control of the game from the jump and the momentum avalanched from there, ultimately cruising to a dominant 53-7 win.
Kyle Whittingham’s team played with tremendous effort, physicality, and toughness throughout the night in a dominating performance.
Ficklin converted 10-of-22 passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 151 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Wayshawn Parker ran for 145 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries. All in all, finished with over 400 yards rushing on the night.
Johnathan Hall was dominant even though he tallied just 5 tackles, he notched 2 sacks, and also got the safety. Seven different players were credited with a sack and the Utes limited the Buffs to just 140 yards on the night.
After attempting no field goals last week, Utah’s Dillon Curtis connected on 3-of-4, with makes from 53, 23, 45, and a miss from 59.
Byrd Ficklin’s Debut: A Fearless Freshman Making His Mark
The Rice-Eccles crowd barely had time to settle into their seats before the freshman had them on their feet.
On Utah’s first offensive series, Ficklin pulled the ball on an option read and exploded through the middle for a 63-yard touchdown run on just his second snap.
63 YDS TO THE 🏠#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/Ma8xL5BzMG
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
It was the kind of tone-setter that eased a lot of worry and concerns and gave Utah the start they needed. And the Utah defense immediately matched that energy.
Trey Reynolds sacked Colorado’s quarterback Kaidon Salter on 3rd down to force the first 3 & out of the night, and the Utes were off and running.
Trickery, Toughness, and Taking Control
Two possessions later, Utah was 4th & 6 at their own 29-yard line. Punter Orion Phillips took the snap and looked like he was going to boot it, before pulling up and throwing a pass to tight end Dallen Bentley for a 25-yard gain.
That would lead to a Dillon Curtis’ 52-yard field goal, giving Utah an early 10-0 lead.
After the defense forced another 3 & out, the offense struck again — this time with Wayshawn Parker. Taking the 1st down handoff, Parker went right, cut up the field, then cutback out to the right, making a defender miss, and outran everyone for a 58-yard touchdown.
#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/mnyl8goMBW
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
The offensive line was clearly in a different gear for this game, evidence by the blocking up front, which provided Parker with a huge runway.
Then, safety Tao Johnson joined the first-quarter highlight reel, reading Salter’s eyes and intercepting him on the sideline.
Though Utah’s ensuing drive stalled after an unsportsmanlike penalty on Parker, the tone was unmistakable. Utah was in total command, up 17-0 after the first period.
Utah’s dominant 2nd quarter
The second quarter was even more impressive for Utah, as they added 26 more points to the board. Utah’s defense opened the second quarter the way it started the game — by attacking.
On a 3rd-down blitz, Johnathan Hall shot through the line and forced Salter into a panic throw from his own end zone. With no receiver nearby, the officials flagged it for intentional grounding and awarded a safety, pushing the lead to 19-0.
On the ensuing possession, Ficklin kept the pedal on the floor. It started with a 20-yard Ficklin run and a 28-yard catch-and-run from Ryan Davis, illustrating how Utah’s offense was rolling with rhythm and confidence. Then, he found JJ Buchanan for a 22-yard touchdown, where Buchanan bulldozed a Colorado defender at the goal line.
#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/JJeP0JPnN9
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
After another defensive stop, the offense provided a statement drive. The Utes went on a 16-play, 60-yard, 7:21 possession capped by NaQuari Rogers’ 2-yard touchdown run. On that series, Ficklin converted multiple third-and-longs, including a beautiful 19-yard sideline toe-top reception by Larry Simmons on 3rd and 12.
Colorado’s next possession went no better. Hall came flying in again for another sack, forcing yet another Buffalo punt — this one shanked badly, setting Utah up at the 21. One play later, Ficklin threw a dart to Simmons in the end zone. Touchdown, Utah. 40-0.
#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/brX80VlDme
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2025
And before halftime could arrive, Utah’s special teams got in on the fun: Jackson Bennee blocked a punt, giving Utah the ball at Colorado’s 7-yard line. Though the Utes didn’t score a touchdown, Curtis tacked on a field goal to make it 43-0.
Utah finished the half with 398 yards of offense, compared to -18 yards for Colorado. Utah averaged 8.1 yards per play, compared to -.5 yards per play for Colorado. Utah finished with 5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss, while Colorado had 0 of either.
Utah cruises to 53-7 win over Colorado
This was pretty much it as Utah cruised through the second half. Utah added 46 yards and a field goal in the 3rd quarter.
The 4th quarter started rather interestingly, as Isaac Wilson made his debut on the season. On the very first play, Parker broke loose for 49 yards to setup the offense in Colorado territory. The drive ended in a 59-yard field goal attempt, that ended well short of the post.
With the second and third stringers in the game, the Buffs added a touchdown in the 4th quarter.
