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.
How college football Twitter reacted to Arizona opening its Colorado 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
