It was a moment that was years in the making, and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders wasn’t going to let the opportunity pass.

Looking to put the game away on Saturday against Utah, CU had first-and-goal at the 4-yard line with less than five minutes to play. Junior running back Charlie Offerdahl was sent in, got the handoff and scored to give the Buffs an 18-point lead in what would become a 49-24 victory at Folsom Field.

Now in his fourth season with the CU program, Offerdahl finally got his first career touchdown.

“First of all, all the glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; I wouldn’t be here without him, and I sure wouldn’t be here without Coach Prime,” Offerdahl said. “I gotta give so much thanks to him. I love him like a second father. And credit to the O-line, my teammates. I love them. I love Buff Nation.”

A former walk-on from Dakota Ridge High School, Offerdahl has routinely been praised for his work ethic and drive. He was CU’s scout team player of the year in 2021. In 2022, he rushed for 150 yards — the most ever for a CU walk-on — but never got in the end zone during a dismal 1-11 season.

Last year, he carried the ball just twice and finished the year with an injury. Offerdahl was awarded a scholarship in the spring, however, and began this season atop the depth chart. He has since lost his spot and went into Saturday with only 21 carries on the season.

Through it all, Offerdahl has remained one of the most respected players on the team.

“My highlight of the game was Charlie Offerdahl getting into the end zone,” Coach Prime said. “We made that an initiative at the beginning of the week, that we were going to get Charlie in the paint, no matter what, and the young men on that (offensive) line, they took that serious. The staff took it serious. We only had one attempt to try it, and he got it there on the first one, which was wonderful.

“I’m proud of Charlie, of who he is and how he represents this program as a 4.0 student.”

Offerdahl said of his touchdown, “I followed my offensive line, got in there. I didn’t know how to celebrate. I was just so hype, it was amazing.”

Dominant run D

CU’s run defense was sensational, holding Utah to 31 yards and 30 carries. The Utes’ Micah Bernard, who came into the game ranking sixth in the Big 12 with 95.6 yards per game, was held to 20 yards on 11 attempts.

“It was simple, just stop the run,” linebacker LaVonta Bentley said of the game plan. “That’s what (Utah) wanted to do. As a linebacker that’s what we got to stop. So, yeah, coaches said stop the run and let our offense score the points.”

Utah’s 31 yards were the lowest by a CU opponent since the Buffs held Northern Colorado to 20 rushing yards on Sept. 3, 2021. Each of CU’s past 15 opponents had rushed for at least 107 yards.

Coach Prime praised the players, as well as defensive coordinator Robert Livingston and assistant coaches Damione Lewis, Andre Hart, Vincent Dancy and Warren Sapp.

“These guys are dedicated,” Coach Prime said. “Coach Livingston is doing a phenomenal job, and D-Lew and Sapp, they ain’t playing, as well as Dancy and coach Hart at the linebackers position. And coach (Kevin) Mathis challenged the DBS to be physical this week, because they were going to have to show up in the run game as well.”

Record performance

Shedeur Sanders wasn’t completely thrilled with his game on Saturday, considering he threw an interception and lost a fumble. However, he managed to hit some milestones.

He has now thrown at least one touchdown pass in 46 consecutive games, which ties an NCAA record for all divisions. He’s the fourth player to reach 46, along with Central Washington’s Mike Reilly (2005-08), Marshall’s Rakeem Cato (2011-14) and Grand Valley State’s Bart Williams (2016-18).

Sanders has thrown a TD pass in all 21 of his games at CU. He broke the record of 20 consecutive games with a touchdown, previously held by Sefo Liufau (2013-14).

In throwing for 340 yards on Saturday, Sanders now has the most 300-yard games in one season (six) at CU. And, he’s the first QB in program history with two 3,000-yard seasons, as he now has 3,222 this season.

Celebrating Peggy

CU superfan Peggy Coppom will celebrate her 100th birthday on Tuesday, but on Saturday, the fans at Folsom Field sang “Happy Birthday” to her. In attendance after missing CU’s last home game, Coppom was in tears during the tribute.

“That was phenomenal,” Coach Prime said. “I love her life. God, I love her to life, and I’m so thankful (for Peggy).”

Notable

CU has five conference wins by at least 10 points. It’s just the 10th time in program history the Buffs have done that. … Saturday was only the 10th time in Kyle Whittingham’s 20 seasons as Utah head coach that his team lost by at least 25 points. … CU’s 49 points were the most by the program since a 52-31 win against Colorado State on Aug. 30, 2019. It was also the most points allowed by Utah since a 51-27 loss to Oregon on Nov. 8, 2014.