Arizona State Edges Colorado 27-17 in Final Home Game for Buffaloes

The Arizona State Sun Devils held off a gritty Colorado Buffaloes team 27-17 in a emotionally charged NCAAF game on Folsom Field in Boulder on Saturday, November 22, 2025. It was Colorado’s final home game of the season — and for five senior players, their last chance to leave the field with a win. The Sun Devils, now 8-3 overall and 6-2 in the Big 12 Conference, kept pace in the race for a conference title, while the Buffaloes fell to 3-8 overall and 1-7 in league play, effectively ending any hope of bowl eligibility. The game, broadcast live on ESPN, wasn’t pretty, but it was telling — a snapshot of a program in transition and another step forward for a team with postseason ambitions.

First Half Control, Second Half Breakthrough

Arizona State led 13-7 at halftime after a methodical offensive drive capped by a 32-yard field goal from kicker Diego Pacheco just before the buzzer. The Sun Devils’ defense, led by linebacker Jalen Catalon, held Colorado’s offense to just 98 total yards in the first two quarters. The Buffaloes’ lone score came on a 14-yard touchdown run by freshman running back Jalen Steward in the first quarter — their only offensive touchdown of the game. But when Colorado got the ball to start the second half, they went three-and-out. Three possessions later, Arizona State struck. Quarterback Drew Pyne connected with wide receiver Jalen McMillan on a 47-yard slant, setting up a 1-yard plunge by running back Joshua Karty. The score ballooned to 20-7, and the crowd at Folsom Field fell silent.

Colorado’s Future in a Freshman’s Hands

While the Buffaloes’ record tells a story of struggle, their future may be written in the quiet confidence of freshman quarterback Julian — the player analysts on the Bleav Podcast Network and YouTube’s "Live Post Game Show: Colorado vs Arizona ST." kept coming back to. "He hit it. He was free. Nobody touched him," said one commentator. "He did what we thought he would do... He’s a good young man. He has a bright future ahead of him." Julian finished 18-of-31 for 162 yards, one interception, and one rushing touchdown. He scrambled for first downs when the pocket collapsed. He made smart decisions under pressure. He didn’t panic. That’s more than the Buffaloes could say about their past three starting QBs. For a team that lost its head coach midseason and has now lost seven straight, Julian’s poise was the only bright spot.

A Season of Disappointment and Emotional Farewell

"You want to send them out with a win. You want to send them out in style and fashion," said a voiceover during the postgame broadcast, referring to Colorado’s seniors — including linebacker Drew Lewis and offensive lineman Travis Rios, who both played their final game at Folsom Field. Lewis had 11 tackles, including a sack. Rios, a fifth-year senior, started every game since 2022. Neither player will be on the roster next season. The Buffaloes’ 1-7 conference record is their worst since joining the Big 12 in 2024, and their 3-8 overall mark is their worst since 2017. The transition from the Pac-12 — where they were a consistent contender — to the Big 12 has been brutal. They’ve now lost 14 of their last 16 conference games.

Big 12 Standings and the Road Ahead

With the win, Arizona State tied Cincinnati Bearcats for third place in the Big 12 at 6-2. The race for the conference title remains tight: Texas Tech Red Raiders lead at 8-1, followed by Brigham Young University Cougars and University of Utah Utes at 7-1. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State Cowboys remain winless in conference play at 0-8, and West Virginia Mountaineers and Central Florida Knights are both at 2-6. The Sun Devils’ path to the Big 12 Championship Game now depends on beating University of Kansas Jayhawks next week and hoping for upsets among the top teams.

What This Means for Colorado’s Future

The Buffaloes’ coaching staff is reportedly under review, with athletic director Rick George saying in a press statement on November 23: "We’re evaluating everything — from recruiting to scheme to culture." Analysts on the Bleav Podcast Network admitted they were wrong. "I apologized on Patreon. I apologized on Twitter. I said Colorado would go 5-7. Now their best bet is 4-8," said one host. "I led you guys astray." That kind of self-criticism is rare — and telling. It suggests the program’s problems run deeper than injuries or bad calls. The roster is young, the talent is raw, and the culture needs rebuilding. Julian might be the spark. But one freshman can’t carry a team that’s lost 11 of its last 12 games.

Streaming and Broadcast Reach

The game was available across multiple platforms: YouTube TV carried ESPN through its 100+ channel package, while Sling TV offered access via ESPN and ESPN2. The game was archived on College Sports Live at 2:33 A.M. Eastern Time on November 23, allowing fans who missed the live broadcast to watch it later. The widespread availability underscores how college football’s media footprint has expanded — but it doesn’t change the reality on the field in Boulder.