SALT LAKE CITY — Byrd Ficklin passed for two touchdowns and ran for another in his first career start to lead Utah to a 53-7 victory over Colorado on Saturday night.
Ficklin, a true freshman, replaced injured starter Devon Dampier and took over – literally. He had 163 yards and a touchdown on the ground by halftime and finished with 291 yards of offense.
Wayshawn Parker added 145 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries to help the Utes (6-2, 3-2 Big 12) become bowl eligible after winning just two conference games a year ago. Utah ran for a game-high 422 yards – eclipsing 400 rushing yards for the first time this season.
Kaidon Salter had 37 yards and an interception on 9-of-22 passing for Colorado. Salter was sacked five times before half-time as he faced constant pressure.
The Buffaloes (3-5, 1-4) lost to Utah for the 12th time in the last 14 meetings in the series. Colorado finished with 140 total yards and an average of 2.1 yards per play.
Long distance runs helped the Utes take early control. Utah racked up 167 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter while averaging 12.8 yards per carry
Ficklin cut downfield and ran 63 yards untouched for a touchdown on Utah’s second play. Then Parker opened the Utes’ fourth drive by hitting a holeshot, turning on the jets and racing 58 yards to extend the lead to 17-0.
Ficklin added two touchdown passes in the second quarter – a 22-yard pinpoint strike to JJ Buchanan and a 20-yard back shoulder toss to Larry Simmons – to help Utah take a 43-0 halftime lead.
Colorado: Nothing went right for the Buffaloes, on both sides of the ball, when it mattered. Colorado allowed 8.1 yards per play in the first half and totaled minus-18 yards at halftime, enduring its worst halftime deficit since 2012.
Utah: Ficklin made sure Dampier’s absence didn’t sting after leading the Utes to touchdowns on five of nine first-half drives.
Colorado: Hosts Arizona on Saturday.
Utah: Hosts Cincinnati on Saturday.
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