The Desert Spark Ignites: Arizona State Overcomes Turnovers, Dominates Colorado in Boulder :

The college football landscape saw a significant clash this past Saturday, November 22, 2025, as the Arizona State Sun Devils traveled to Boulder to face the Colorado Buffaloes. What began as a tightly contested affair at Folsom Field ultimately transformed into a dominant display by the Sun Devils, who pulled away decisively in the second half. The final score, 42-17 in favor of Arizona State, reflected a team that found its rhythm and exploited its opponent's weaknesses, despite committing several unforced errors throughout the game.

This crucial Big 12 matchup held distinct implications for both programs as their seasons draw to a close. For Arizona State, it was an opportunity to solidify their standing in the conference title hunt, while Colorado aimed to salvage some pride in their final home game of a challenging season. The atmosphere was charged with the usual fervor of a conference rivalry, yet the outcome painted a clear picture of two teams headed in different directions.

Raleek Brown's Record-Breaking Night Fuels Sun Devil Offense :

The undisputed star of the night for Arizona State was running back Raleek Brown, who delivered a career-defining performance that etched his name into the Sun Devil record books. Brown gashed the Colorado defense for an astounding 255 rushing yards, marking the third-most in Arizona State history and setting a new program record for single-game rushing yards on the road. His explosiveness was on full display, highlighted by an 88-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that effectively sealed the victory.

Beyond his impressive ground game, Brown also showcased his versatility with a crucial 33-yard touchdown reception in the first half, demonstrating his dual-threat capability. Quarterback Jeff Sims contributed significantly, throwing for 206 yards and two touchdowns, including a 68-yard strike to Derek Eusebio. The return of wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, who made a 42-yard catch early in the game, further bolstered the Sun Devils' offensive attack, helping them accumulate 580 total yards, with 355 coming on the ground.

Colorado's Costly Missed Opportunities on Home Turf :

For the Colorado Buffaloes, the game was a painful reminder of missed opportunities and ongoing struggles. Despite forcing four turnovers against Arizona State, including an interception by safety John Slaughter III, Colorado could only convert these crucial takeaways into a mere three points. This inability to capitalize on ASU's miscues proved to be a critical factor in their eventual downfall.

Freshman quarterback Julian "JuJu" Lewis, in his first home start, completed 19 of 38 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown to Omarion Miller, but the offense struggled to find consistent rhythm against the Sun Devils' defense. Running back Dallan Hayden provided a bright spot, leading the team with 65 rushing yards and scoring a touchdown. However, Colorado's offensive production was ultimately stifled, particularly in a fourth quarter where they were shut out 21-0, contributing to their 42-17 loss.

A Tale of Two Seasons: ASU's Big 12 Title Hopes vs. Colorado's Rocky Road :

This decisive victory significantly bolsters Arizona State's standing, elevating their record to 8-3 overall and 6-2 in Big 12 play. Coach Kenny Dillingham emphasized the importance of "meaningful football," and this win keeps them mathematically alive in the race for a Big 12 championship game berth, though they will need some help from other results. The Sun Devils have shown resilience and a growing cohesion, making their final regular-season game against rival Arizona a pivotal contest.

In stark contrast, Colorado's season continues to be a challenging one under Coach Deion Sanders. The Buffaloes now stand at 3-8 overall and a disappointing 1-7 in Big 12 conference play, placing them in last in the standings. Coach Prime expressed frustration over the team's defensive performance and offensive inefficiency, particularly the failure to convert turnovers into points. The mounting pressure on the program is palpable as they head into their final game of the season, looking to end on a more positive note.

Defensive Stands and Second-Half Surges Define ASU's Victory :

While Raleek Brown's offensive heroics stole headlines, Arizona State's defense played an equally crucial role in securing the victory, especially in overcoming their own team's turnovers. The Sun Devils committed four turnovers (three fumbles and one interception) but their defense allowed Colorado to score only three points off these numerous mistakes. This staunch defensive effort prevented the Buffaloes from gaining significant momentum and kept ASU in control of the game.

The second half was where Arizona State truly asserted its dominance, outscoring Colorado 29-10. Their ability to make adjustments and execute on both sides of the ball after halftime was evident, as they effectively shut down Colorado's offense in the fourth quarter, scoring 21 unanswered points to pull away. This second-half surge speaks volumes about the team's discipline and their coaching staff's ability to adapt.

Beyond the Gridiron: The Rivalry in a Shifting Conference Landscape :

The rivalry between Arizona State and Colorado extends beyond the football field, with both institutions also competing vigorously in basketball. In men's basketball, the Sun Devils have also found recent success against the Buffaloes, including a 76-73 victory on January 4, 2025, and another 70-68 win on January 28, 2025, demonstrating the competitive nature across sports.

Both schools are navigating a dramatically reconfigured collegiate athletic landscape. Having transitioned into the Big 12 Conference, these traditional Pac-12 foes are now building new rivalries while maintaining old ones within a new league structure. The shifting conference affiliations underscore a broader trend in college sports, where traditional alliances are being redefined, creating exciting new matchups and challenges for teams like Arizona State and Colorado.

What Lies Ahead: Final Games and Future Prospects :

With the regular season drawing to a close, Arizona State has one critical game remaining: the Territorial Cup against rival Arizona. This matchup holds significant weight, not only for bragging rights but also for ASU's potential Big 12 championship aspirations and bowl game positioning. A strong finish could cap off a remarkably successful season for Coach Dillingham's squad.

Colorado, meanwhile, will conclude its 2025 campaign on the road against Kansas State. While bowl eligibility is out of reach, this final game presents an opportunity for the Buffaloes to show improvement and build momentum for the offseason. The performance in this concluding contest will undoubtedly inform discussions around the team's direction and necessary adjustments for the upcoming years under Coach Sanders.

Both programs face distinct paths forward, but the recent contest underscored the unpredictable and compelling nature of college football, especially within a dynamically changing conference environment. Fans of both the Sun Devils and the Buffaloes will be keenly watching how these narratives unfold in the immediate future and beyond.