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In a game that slipped away after halftime, the Colorado Buffaloes suffered a 29-7 defeat to the No. 12 Texas Tech Red Raiders at Folsom Field on Saturday. The loss was defined by a series of damaging penalties, turnovers, and controversial officiating decisions that repeatedly stalled Colorado's momentum.
Colorado started strong, holding a 7-3 advantage early in the second quarter, but the game turned in the second half. Although the Buffaloes finished with more total yards than Texas Tech, their mistakes prevented them from capitalizing on scoring opportunities. Several penalties and key calls swung the momentum throughout the contest.
Costly Penalties
One of the first pivotal calls came late in the second quarter when Colorado linebacker Gage Goldberg was flagged for a personal foul with targeting. The 15-yard penalty and automatic first down extended a Texas Tech drive, keeping the Red Raiders on the field when Colorado was trying to get a stop before halftime. Texas Tech did not score on that possession, but the penalty flipped field position and prevented the Buffaloes' defense from ending the half on a clean note.
In the third quarter, running back DeKalon Taylor was called for holding, a 10-yard penalty that stalled a Colorado drive. The timing was especially frustrating, as the offense was already struggling to maintain rhythm after halftime. Instead of continuing the drive without a major setback, the penalty pushed the Buffaloes into a more difficult situation, marking another self-inflicted wound at a crucial moment.
Another unusual sequence occurred in the third quarter when wide receiver Joseph Williams attempted a pass, only to be intercepted by Texas Tech's Brice Pollock. The play was reviewed to determine whether Pollock stayed in bounds, but the ruling stood, giving the Red Raiders possession and taking a scoring opportunity away from Colorado. The turnover was particularly costly because the Buffaloes were trying to build momentum, and instead Texas Tech gained another chance to extend its lead.
Defensive back Randon Fontenette was also involved in a costly third-quarter sequence. He was called for a personal foul that resulted in an automatic first down for Texas Tech, extending a drive and adding to Colorado's defensive frustration. Head coach Deion Sanders was visibly upset on the sideline, yelling for his players to calm down as penalties piled up. The Red Raiders eventually capitalized on the extended possession, continuing their second-half surge.
The Interception That Changed the Game
The most damaging mistake came when quarterback Isaac Wilson threw an interception in the third quarter. The play-action pass was designed as a deep shot down the field, but Texas Tech's defensive backs read the route and came away with the pick. That turnover gave the Red Raiders another opportunity to add to their lead and was part of a disastrous second half for Colorado, as Wilson threw three interceptions after halftime.
Texas Tech finished the game without a turnover, while Colorado committed four. That disparity became one of the biggest reasons the Buffaloes could not keep pace.
Penalties and Turnovers Prove Costly
Colorado actually out-gained Texas Tech in total yards, showing that the game was not a case of being completely outplayed. Instead, penalties and turnovers repeatedly erased the Buffaloes' opportunities. Colorado was flagged eight times for 84 yards, while Texas Tech committed six penalties for 51 yards. Against an undefeated ranked opponent, the Buffaloes could not afford to give away extra yards and possessions. They had chances to stay competitive, but the combination of penalties and turnovers ultimately allowed the Red Raiders to pull away.
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Erin Mulligan is a writer for Colorado Buffaloes on SI, part of the Sports Illustrated Network. With a passion for storytelling and sports, Erin has covered the NFL, MLB, MLS, PGA events, and college sports for various outlets such as Jersey Sporting News and The Sports Forum. She is a Monmouth University alum where she led an award-winning team as the sports editor of the university newspaper. Erin also has her own brand called The Mulligan Minute, which consists of a podcast and social media presence surrounding interesting, underdog and second-chance stories in sports and fitness. The New Jersey native is a die-hard fan of the New York Giants, Yankees, and professional golf. In her free time, Erin loves spending time with family and friends, and going to the lake and down the shore. Follow Erin_Mulligan23.