The University of Utah plays defense.

That has never been in doubt. Regardless of the personnel, regardless of having to replace nine starters, the Utes’ defense will persevere, as was the case on Saturday afternoon at the University of Colorado.

Nursing a six-point lead just inside 5:00 to play, Colorado quarterback Sam Noyer’s fourth-and-five pass at the Utah 35-yard line was batted down by defensive tackle Viane Moala.

On the first play of the ensuing drive, Ty Jordan’s 66-yard touchdown was the knockout blow, helping deliver Utah a 38-21 win over the previously-unbeaten, 21st-ranked Buffaloes at Folsom Field.

Jordan, last week’s Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Week, finished with 147 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries, while Jake Bentley had his finest showing in a Utah uniform. The South Carolina graduate transfer finished 20-for-32 for 240 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Redshirt junior Britain Covey had 210 all-purpose yards, 88 of them coming on kickoff returns. Covey also had a team-high nine catches for 76 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown pass from Bentley late in the third quarter.

Utah’s defense, specifically in the second half, stood tall, yielding just seven points and 163 total yards to the Colorado offense. Within that, the Utes limited star Buffs running back Jarek Broussard to 80 yards on 14 carries for the day.

Utah (2-2) remains alive for bowl eligibility going into next week’s game against an opponent that remains TBD, as does the location. Week 7 matchups and locations are expected to be released by the Pac-12 no later than lunchtime Sunday.