ARIZONA FOOTBALL

No. 21 Arizona battling with Colorado, trails Buffaloes at the half in Boulder

Nov 11, 2023, 1:44 PM

Arizona defensive back Martell Irby, left, sacks Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the first ...

Arizona defensive back Martell Irby, left, sacks Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

The No. 21 Arizona Wildcats are having some first-half difficulties against “Coach Prime” Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes in Boulder, Colorado.

Despite 75 yards on the ground from Jonah Coleman in a back-and-forth first half, Jedd Fisch’s Wildcats trail 21-17.

The big highlight of the first half was Coleman’s 49-yard scamper.

Arizona has been hamstrung by deep starting positions throughout the half, beginning drives on their own 23-, 25-, 5-, 13-, 23- and 40-yard lines, respectively over their six first-half drives.

Noah Fifita has been inconsistent, going 8-for-18 for 101 yards and a score — a three-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Cowing. The freshman signal caller has also been sacked once.

Further, if you take away Coleman’s 49-yard carry, the rushing game has been held in control as well to the tune of 11 carries for 37. DJ Williams has the other touchdown for Arizona, an 11-yard scamper, which capped off a six play, 75-yard drive in the middle of the first quarter.

Jacob Manu has five tackles, three solo, and a sack for the Wildcat defense.

Shedeur Sanders has found success for Colorado, throwing 13-for-21 for 189 yards a touchdown, while running for 35 yards and a score on the ground. Sy’veon Wilkerson has five carries for 15 yards for the Buffaloes, including a touchdown run.

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