BOULDER — For the first time since early last season, Colorado sophomore quarterback Sefo Liufau did not take his team’s opening snaps last weekend.
Watching from the sideline at Oregon offered Liufau a different perspective until he entered the game in the third quarter.
“I wouldn’t say I learned anything different,” Liufau said. “It was just a different view of what the defense was doing. It was definitely different coming into the game after halftime. But you always have to be ready to play.”
Liufau won’t have to wait his turn in the Buffaloes’ season finale. After practice Wednesday, CU coach Mike MacIntyre announced that Liufau will start at quarterback Saturday against Utah.
Dating to last season, Liufau had started 17 consecutive games before another sophomore, Jordan Gehrke, got the first snaps in the 44-10 loss to the third-ranked Ducks.
Of the decision to switch back to Liufau, MacIntyre said, “I just thought it was the right thing to do at this time.”
Gehrke struggled against Oregon, completing 9-of-18 passes for 64 yards. Known more as a running threat than Liufau, he netted a loss of 3 yards on six carries, including yardage lost to two sacks.
After replacing Gehrke in the third quarter, Liufau led Colorado (2-9, 0-8 Pac-12) to its only touchdown — a 5-yard scoring toss to freshman Donovan Lee. Liufau finished 7-for-14 for 41 yards and the touchdown. Neither quarterback threw an interception.
Liufau suffered the first concussion of his college career two weeks earlier during a loss at Arizona. He has passed for 2,883 yards and a school-record 27 touchdowns. But he also has thrown 14 interceptions, tops among Pac-12 quarterbacks.
“Sefo is getting to practice this whole week,” MacIntyre said. “The week before, he didn’t get to practice the whole time. He looks back to his old self.”
Liufau said too much was made out of the change at quarterback last weekend.
“It’s a team sport,” Liufau said. “Whoever the coach puts in, the player that he feels is the best person to lead the team. That’s how you leave it. … We should know that.”
Utah (7-4, 4-4) ranks last among Pac-12 teams in passing. But the Utes’ formula for success includes a strong running game, terrific special teams and an opportunistic defense that ranks third against the pass.
Utah senior defensive end Nate Orchard (6-foot-4, 255 pounds) tops the nation with 17½ sacks.
“They’re a good defense,” Liufau said. “Their front seven, especially, they’re up there with some of the best in the league. That’s totally fine. I expect us to put some points up. We need to be consistent for four quarters and get the win.”
Tom Kensler: tkensler@denverpost.com or
