The Sports Xchange
Nov 19, 2016
BOULDER, Colo. -- Sefo Liufau ran for 108 yards and three touchdowns and also passed for 345 yards to lead No. 10 Colorado to a 38-24 victory over No. 22 Washington State on Saturday to edge closer to the Pac-12 South title.
Phillip Lindsay rushed for 144 yards and two scores, the second of which sealed the win for the Buffaloes (9-2, 7-1).
Colorado can clinch the South Division title with a win over No. 11 Utah next week.
Washington State quarterback Luke Falk threw for 325 yards and three touchdowns but had two turnovers in the fourth quarter. Jamal Morrow ran for 87 yards and caught a touchdown pass for the Cougars.
Washington State (8-3, 7-1) can still capture the North Division with a win over No. 7 Washington next week and set up a potential rematch with the Buffaloes in the Pac-12 title game in two weeks.
Liufau outdueled Falk in the biggest game at Folsom Field in more than a decade. He had 223 combined yards at halftime and turned it up in the second half.
The senior carried the Buffaloes to the lead on the opening drive of the third quarter, rushing four times for 36 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown run.
The Cougars went back ahead 24-21 when Falk connected with John Thompson from 7 yards with 3:18 left in the third quarter. Liufau answered with an 11-yard touchdown run with 30 seconds left in the third quarter to put Colorado ahead for good.
Chris Graham made it 31-24 with a 46-yard field goal with 9:09 left.
After Addison Gilliam got Colorado's first sack of Falk on the ensuing possession, Colorado went 63 yards on eight plays, capped by Lindsay's 13-yard touchdown run to make it 38-24 with 4:18 left.
Colorado defensive lineman Jimmie Gilbert's strip sack of Falk on Washington State's next possession clinched the win.
Colorado scored first on Lindsay's 9-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and Washington State answered with two touchdowns. Falk found Lewis from 14 yards to tie it and then hit Morrow down the middle for a 46-yard score late in the first quarter.
Erik Powell kicked a 28-yard field goal with 4:23 left in the second quarter to put the Cougars up 17-14 at the half.
NOTES: Colorado RB Philip Lindsay topped 1,000 yards rushing for the season and 2,000 for his career. He is the 19th tailback in Buffaloes history with 2,000 career rushing yards. ... Washington State QB Luke Falk notched his 23rd career 300-yard passing game. His career best is 480 set earlier this year in a loss at Boise State. ... Colorado DB Afolabi Laguda was ejected for targeting for his hit on Washington Robert Lewis on Lewis' touchdown catch in the first quarter.