West Virginia secured a 29-22 victory over Colorado on Saturday, delivering a significant blow to the Buffaloes” hopes for a bowl game. Freshman quarterback Scotty Fox Jr. contributed with a touchdown pass, while running back Curtis Jones scored twice from short distances.
This win marks the second consecutive triumph for West Virginia, improving their record to 4-6 overall and 2-6 in the Big 12. Conversely, Colorado falls to 3-7 and 1-6 in the conference, having now lost three straight games.
Despite a rough recent stretch that saw them outscored 105-24 in their previous two outings, the Buffaloes kept this contest competitive. Colorado freshman quarterback Ju Ju Lewis, making his first start in place of Kaidon Salter, threw two touchdown passes, bringing the team within three points at 19-16 with a 23-yard connection to Omarion Miller in the third quarter.
Jones, who typically plays a hybrid linebacker position, stepped up as a running back due to injuries among his teammates. He scored on a 2-yard run in the second quarter and later added a 4-yard touchdown with just over four minutes remaining, extending West Virginia”s lead to 29-19.
After Alejandro Mata kicked a field goal for Colorado to narrow the gap to 29-22 with 1:16 left, West Virginia successfully recovered the following onside kick and managed to run out the clock.
In a pivotal moment, West Virginia running back Diore Hubbard made a significant 69-yard reception that set up tight end Ryan Ward for a 3-yard touchdown catch from Fox, giving the Mountaineers a 16-3 lead late in the second quarter. Both teams exchanged scores rapidly before halftime, with Lewis finding Joseph Williams for an 8-yard touchdown pass, followed by a 41-yard field goal from Kade Hensley as time expired, leaving West Virginia ahead 19-9 at the break.
However, Fox”s fortunes turned in the third quarter when he threw two consecutive interceptions, giving Colorado a chance to rally. Lewis finished the game with 22 completions on 35 attempts for 299 yards, while Miller recorded a season-high of 131 receiving yards on six receptions.
This loss marks the fourth time in five seasons that Colorado will not be participating in a bowl game, and it dropped head coach Deion Sanders to a 16-19 record during his tenure at the university. Following a bye next week, Colorado is set to face Arizona State on November 22, while West Virginia will travel to play at Arizona State next Saturday.
