Remembering Colorado football’s 2016 Pac-12 South clinching Utah win
Colorado clinched the 2016 Pac-12 South title with a 27-22 win over Utah, forcing four turnovers before a sold-out Folsom Field.
On November 26, 2016, the Colorado Buffaloes claimed the Pac-12 South championship title by defeating Utah 27-22 at Folsom Field. Led by a successful defense that forced four turnovers, the No. 9 Buffaloes secured their first Pac-12 Championship Game appearance under head coach Mike MacIntyre. After a 1-8 season the previous year, Colorado finished the conference play at 8-1.
A crucial moment occurred when linebacker Kenneth Olugbode recovered a Joe Williams fumble and returned it ten yards for a touchdown, extending Colorado's lead to 27-16 with 10:56 left on the clock. Although Utah managed to score a late touchdown pass to Demari Simpkins and struggled with a failed two-point conversion, Colorado recovered the ensuing onside kick, sealing the victory.
Defensive standout Tedric Thompson added to the team's success by intercepting two passes, while safety Tedric Thompson ensured the Buffaloes' defense repeatedly kept Utah to field goals after they neared scoring range. Quarterback Sefo Liufau guided Colorado's offense, completing 23 of 44 passes for 270 yards, including a six-yard touchdown to Shay Fields. Liufau also scored on a two-yard run. Devin Ross led Colorado's receivers with nine catches for 94 yards.
This victory completed a 10-2 regular season, sending Colorado to face Washington for the Pac-12 conference championship. Another notable Colorado win over Utah took place on November 6, 1937, when Byron "Whizzer" White scored every Buffaloes point in a 17-7 triumph in Salt Lake City.
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