The year is 2011, Adele’s “Someone Like You” is peaking on the charts while “Twilight” fever is sweeping the nation, and you can’t seem to decide if you’re team Jacob or team Edward.
That thought will need to be put aside, though, as there’s breaking news for the Colorado Buffaloes. They’ll be leaving the conference they’ve called home for decades for definitely green pastures as one of the newest members of the Pac-10, soon to become the Pac-12. Making the jump alongside them will be the Utah Utes of the Western Athletic Conference, whom the Buffaloes haven’t played since the 1960s.
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Jumping to now, 14 years later, the two remain conference rivals in the Big 12 Conference, and perhaps those pastures weren’t so green after all. However, before these two teams face off for the 15th season in a row, let’s indulge in a little Pac-12 nostalgia and examine the best games between these two squads in the modern era.
2012 – Utah 42, Colorado 35
Nov 23, 2012; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Nick Hirschman (8) prepares to throw for a touchdown pass on this play to wide receiver Nelson Spruce (22) (not pictured) in the first quarter of the game against the Utah Utes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The start to Colorado’s tenure in the Pac-12 was a dark time for the program, as they would end this season 1-11. This game was one of the lone bright spots in the darkness, which tells you something, considering the result. Though the Buffaloes came to play in this game, knotting the game at seven apiece on a touchdown connection from quarterback Nick Hirschman to wideout Nelson Spruce.
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Spruce was much of the reason that the Buffs stayed in this game, catching a record-setting 10 passes as a redshirt freshman for 98 yards and one touchdown. This game also marks the last time the Buffaloes took a regular kickoff back to the house, with the two teams trading 100-yard kick return touchdowns late in the fourth.
Colorado was undone by sloppy quarterback play in this one. While Hirschman crossed the 300-yard mark, the sophomore threw four interceptions, which resulted in 21 points for the Utes. He was terrorized all day by a Utah front led by future first-round pick Star Lotulelei.
2014 – Utah 38, Colorado 34
Nov 29, 2014; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Nelson Spruce (22) carries for a touchdown reception against Utah Utes defensive back Brian Blechen (4) in the third quarter at Folsom Field. The Utes defeated the Buffaloes 38-34. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
There’s just something about these Buffaloes and heartbreaking losses in the Pac-12 era, isn’t there? In the midst of another dismal season, Colorado once again had Utah on the ropes in this game thanks to another spectacular performance from Spruce.
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The now junior wide receiver wrote his name into the record books again, catching his 12th touchdown of the season in this one, a record which Travis Hunter has since broken. The Pac-12 referees made themselves known in this one, overturning an interception by Terrell Smith that the Utes capitalized on with a fake punt, which kept them alive.
Unlike two years before this, Colorado’s quarterback play from Sefo Liufau was near perfect, racking up 317 yards on 31 attempts and keeping the ball moving. I say near perfect because late in the game, Colorado had just gotten the ball back after forcing a Utah punt, up by a field goal. Liufau dropped back, hoping to add more points to his team’s lead, and threw an interception on a screen pass that the Utes returned for a game-winning touchdown.
2016 – Colorado 27, Utah 22
Nov 26, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; Utah Utes defensive tackle Lowell Lotulelei (93) pressures Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Sefo Liufau (13) in the first half at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
While the Pac-12 era might not be remembered fondly in the Boulder area, the 2016 season must be. Liufau didn’t forget how the 2014 team game ended because he was firing on all cylinders in this game, single-handedly carrying the Buffaloes to their first and only Pac-12 South title.
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The Utes jumped out to a seven-point lead following a 55-yard punt return touchdown, because these two teams seemingly always brought their special teams A-game, but that was the last lead that Utah would see. Behind Liufau’s 326 total yards and two scores, the Buffaloes sprinted out to a 13-7 lead at the half.
On the other side of the ball, much of the credit for this win lies with two future NFL defensive backs, Tedric Thompson and Chidobe Awuzie. Thompson reeled in two interceptions and broke up four passes, while Awuzie led the team with eight tackles and recovered a fumble. While the next week against Washington got ugly, Colorado will always have this over the Utes.
These two storied rivals will write another chapter on Saturday night when the Buffaloes travel to Salt Lake City to play a Utah squad coming off a narrow loss to BYU.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado vs. Utah: Revisiting the best games from the Pac-12 era
