Buffs snap skid as Cal’s lingers

Sefo Liufau threw for a career-high 364 yards and Paul Richardson tied a team record for receptions in a contest with 11 to help Colorado snap a 14-game conference losing streak by beating slumping California 41-24 on a windy Saturday in Boulder, Colo.

Liufau also tossed three TD passes as he outplayed fellow freshman Jared Goff, who struggled to ignite the offense as the Bears dropped their 13th straight league game.

Nelson Spruce and Richardson each went over the 100-yard receiving mark for Colorado. Spruce had eight catches for 140 yards and Richardson had 140 yards. Richardson now has 1,201 yards receiving this year, a new single-season record at Colorado.

It was Colorado’s first league win since beating Washington State 35-34 on Sept. 22, 2012.

(6) Oregon 44, Utah 21: Marcus Mariota’s knee didn’t matter all that much against Utah.

Marcus Mariota threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns and the sixth-ranked Ducks rebounded from last week’s loss to Stanford with a win over the Utes in Eugene.

Mariota went into the game with questions about the health of his left knee, which impacted his mobility in the loss to the Cardinal.

De’Anthony Thomas caught a touchdown pass and scored on an 86-yard kickoff return for the Ducks. Byron Marshall ran for two additional scores, but the Ducks were slowed on the ground by Utah’s defense, rushing for 145 yards after averaging nearly 302 yards a game this season.

Utah was dealt a blow before the game when starting quarterback Travis Wilson didn’t make the trip to Eugene because of a concussion.  (21) Arizona St. 30, Oregon St. 17: Marion Grice ran for 118 yards and two touchdowns, Robert Nelson returned his second interception 23 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, and the Sun Devils overcome a second-half lull to defeat the Beavers in Tempe, Ariz.

Arizona State dominated the first half to take a 20-0 lead before stumbling through the third quarter.