Byrd Ficklin totaled 291 yards on offense while throwing two touchdown passes and running for another to lead Utah to a 53-7 victory over Colorado on Saturday night in Salt Lake City.
Ficklin became the sixth true freshman quarterback to start a game at Utah after filling in for injured starter Devon Dampier. Ficklin made the most of the opportunity, racking up 151 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. He also threw a pair of scoring passes in the second quarter.
Wayshawn Parker added 145 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. The Utes (6-2, 3-2 Big 12) ran for a season-high 422 yards and are bowl eligible in their second Big 12 season after winning just two league games a season ago.
Colorado lost for the 12th time in its last 14 games against Utah. The Buffaloes (3-5, 1-4) endured their worst halftime deficit in a game since 2012 after showing complete ineptitude on both sides of the ball.
Kaidon Salter totaled 37 yards and threw an interception on 9-of-22 passing. The Colorado quarterback faced constant pressure from the Utes’ defense.
Utah dominated with a sizzling rushing attack in the first quarter, racking up 167 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 12.8 yards per carry.
Ficklin opened the scoring when he raced 63 yards for a score on Utah’s second play. Parker then extended the lead to 17-0 when he opened Utah’s fourth drive by sprinting 58 yards to the end zone.
The Utes racked up three more touchdowns in the second quarter to extend their lead to 43-0 going into halftime. Ficklin hit JJ Buchanan on a 22-yard pass and Larry Simmons on a 20-yard grab for two of the scores.
Colorado gave up five sacks and mustered minus-18 total yards in the first half. The Buffaloes were held to minus-41 rushing yards before halftime after eclipsing 100 rushing yards in six of their first seven games.
