Three takeaways from Colorado's loss to No. 23 UCLA

Buffs kept it closer than expected but couldn't walk away with a victory

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Buffaloes went up against 23rd-ranked UCLA and came away with a 28-16 loss at the Rose Bowl on Saturday night. It's a tough game all the way around but a lot to digest on the way home. CU has dropped four of their last five and will have to find two wins the rest of the way if they want to get bowl eligible. Here are three takeaways from the Buffs loss to the Bruins.

Shedeur Sanders can't keep getting beat up

Another game with the Buffs QB taking way too many hits. It was a terrible job up front by the offensive line with seven sacks. Sanders had a noticeable limp that started about the end of the first quarter. He was immobilized, and it played a significant factor in the outcome. The bigger issue is that nothing has been done to help protect Sanders over several weeks. It's time for adjustments to be made and players to be held accountable. Sanders finished with 217 yards and a touchdown, which marks his 33rd straight game with a score. Colorado still doesn't have a run game with over 100 yards rushing this season. They were one-dimensional with 25 yards on 24 attempts. 

The Buffs defense came to play at the Rose Bowl

One of the bright spots for CU's trip to Cali was the defense answering the call and playing lights out. Travis Hunter was outstanding with two picks when they needed them the most. Shilo Sanders was playing great hard-hitting football before he was ejected for targeting. Jordan Domineck had a pair of sacks and was always around the ball. It's wasn't a shutdown effort with UCLA still putting up 28 points, but Colorado played better than the letdown against Stanford. Kudos to Charles Kelly and his guys for understanding the assignment.

Shilo Sanders showed off his strength against UCLA and it cost him

The Colorado Buffaloes defensive back was ejected for targeting with 3:23 left in the first half for a tough hit. It looked to be a legal blow, but the call was upheld after review. It was a monumental loss for Charles Kelly's defense. They went the rest of the way without him, and it was costly. He left the game with two tackles and a forced fumble. Colorado coach Deion Sanders said the call was "horrendous" during his ABC halftime hit.

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The Buffs look to shake off some dust against No. 11 Oregon State next week. A Pac-12 After Dark matchup at 10 p.m. ET for Homecoming in Boulder.