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What we learned from Colorado's dominant showing at Arizona

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalos wide receiver Drelon Miller (6) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats in the first half at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalos wide receiver Drelon Miller (6) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats in the first half at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Colorado Buffaloes have officially surpassed last season's win total in Year 2 under head coach Deion Sanders.

If they continue playing like they did on Saturday, Colorado football fans could be in for a special season. CU played a near-perfect game in Tucson, stampeding over the Arizona Wildcats, 34-7, to improve their overall record to 5-2 (3-1 Big 12).

From the opening snap, Arizona had no answer for Colorado's offense, as the Buffs scored on their first three possessions. On defense, CU held Arizona to 245 total yards while keeping star wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan quiet.

Here are five takeaways from Colorado's impressive road victory over Arizona:

Everybody meet at the quarterback

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffaloes inside linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green (41) sacks Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (11) during the second quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffaloes inside linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green (41) sacks Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (11) during the second quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Colorado's pass rush was on another level, sacking Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita seven times on the afternoon. Because of Fifita's ability to escape the rush, he prevented that sack total from being in the double digits. Keaten Wade took advantage of his first snaps of the season as he and fellow defensive lineman Samuel Okunlola led the way with two sacks each.

Kudos to RJ Johnson

TUCSON, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 19: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes watches from the sidelines during the first half of the NCAAF game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 19: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes watches from the sidelines during the first half of the NCAAF game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

RJ Johnson may have made the biggest play of the game on the opening kickoff when he recovered a surprise onside kick. Because of his good hands, Colorado began its first drive on the Wildcats' 46-yard line.

The running game reappeared

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive lineman Chase Kennedy (11) tackles Colorado Buffaloes during the fourth quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive lineman Chase Kennedy (11) tackles Colorado Buffaloes during the fourth quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

The Buffs' running game reappeared as they rushed the ball 39 times for 148 yards and two touchdowns. Isaiah Augustave got his first start in a CU uniform and scored on the opening drive. Dallan Hayden would spell him and average 5.8 yards per carry. Later, Charlie Offerdahl got in on the action and rumbled for a game-high 39-yard carry.

Crazy end to the second quarter

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive back Jack Luttrell (13) celebrates after making an interception against the Colorado Buffaloes during the second quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive back Jack Luttrell (13) celebrates after making an interception against the Colorado Buffaloes during the second quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

As I mentioned above, CU scored on its first three possessions and seemed well on its way to making it four straight before center Hank Zilinskas snapped the ball too early, causing a fumble that Arizona recovered at its own 24-yard line.

Defensive end BJ Green II sacked Fifita two plays later and caused a fumble that was recovered by linebacker LaVonta Bentley. The Buffs and Wildcats would make it three straight drives with a turnover as Arizona picked off quarterback Shedeur Sanders on third down to continue the turnover party.

Road warriors

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalos quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) against the Arizona Wildcats in the first half at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalos quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) against the Arizona Wildcats in the first half at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Since dropping their first road game of the season at Nebraska, the Buffs have dominated teams away from Boulder. In three road games against Colorado State, UCF and Arizona, CU has outscored its opponents 110-37. The last time CU won back-to-back road games by 27 or more was in 1987.

Colorado's next and final two road games will come against Kansas and Texas Tech, two teams that have struggled defensively so far this season.

This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: What we learned from Colorado's dominant showing at Arizona