There are bold ways to open a college football game, and then there’s whatever Arizona’s logic was when it opened its Week 8 matchup against Colorado with an onside kick — and one that failed miserably and gave the Buffaloes an early lead.
Yes, you read that right.
Usually reserved for the end of a game when a team desperately needs to get the ball back, the Wildcats, after winning the coin toss and deferring, inexplicably opted to start with an onside kick rather than a traditional kickoff to start the game. Arizona senior kicker Tyler Loop kicked the ball 11 yards to the Wildcats own 46-yard line.
The problem with the execution of this opening play was that Colorado recovered the ball. And just five plays later, the Buffaloes found the end zone with a one-yard touchdown run from Isaiah Augustave.
The only way this could have gone worse for Arizona is if Colorado returned the ball for a touchdown. Not great.
A FAILED ONSIDE KICK TO START THE GAME?!
Colorado comes up with it! pic.twitter.com/GOO0A3uEJI
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 19, 2024
Obviously, college football fans were totally baffled by the rare choice to start the game with an onside kick.
The most Arizona start to a game you can imagine
— dylan (@alltimeworst) October 19, 2024
On the failed WHAT https://t.co/LEthmFCFoN
— chickenbro (@chickenbro_) October 19, 2024
WOW! Arizona opens with an onside kick. Colorado recovers and will start just past midfield.
Bold decision there….
— Romi Bean (@Romi_Bean) October 19, 2024
fireable offense https://t.co/hO23jSIL67
— no (@2NameMindFrame) October 19, 2024
Arizona just tried an onside kick to start the game. Yeahhh them boys scared.
— Trey Crosby III Guru (@TCIIIESQ) October 19, 2024
Lmao did Arizona really just try an onside kick for the first play?
— Vee (@x_Indescribable) October 19, 2024
Who does Brent Brennan think he is? https://t.co/b8rVNT2lqO
— Austin (@deviousduck_) October 19, 2024
Arizona coach looking desperate with that onside kick to start the game.
— Officially MR. BURKS (@MrBurks206) October 19, 2024
Why would Arizona onside kick when the game just started???!!!
— Melvin Purdy (@MLVNPRDY) October 19, 2024
Arizona starts with an onside kick? pic.twitter.com/aAhSsTbmvR
— Jas (@jasreneewms) October 19, 2024
I find it so funny how little respect everybody has for Colorado
Arizona started the game off with a onside kick ahahah
— Brando Mags (@Mayo11Sauce) October 19, 2024
Arizona just started the game with a failed onside kick pic.twitter.com/I25qfg1rIh
— Action Network Colleges (@ActionColleges) October 19, 2024
Why would Arizona start with an ONSIDE kick??????
— ERIC BROTHERTON (@EricBrotherton_) October 19, 2024
Onside to start the game???? Yeah go ahead and pack Arizona up
— Cort. (@Cortland22) October 19, 2024
