The momentum Colorado built by scoring the final 10 points of the first half were all for naught, as Arizona State's Rashad Ross returned the second-half kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown to put the Sun Devils up, 27-17. The Colorado offense wasn't able to get anything going in the third quarter, as all four of their possessions led to a punt. Three of those series were three-and-out.

The Buffaloes defense held their own for a little while, forcing the Sun Devils to punt on their first offensive possession of the third quarter. However, Arizona State was able to crack the Colorado defense on their next drive, driving 76 yards on 11 plays and scoring their second touchdown of the quarter on a 20-yard pass from Taylor Kelly to Marion Grice.

The Sun Devils nearly got another score late in the quarter, as they elected to go for it on 4th-and-6 on the Buffaloes 24-yard line, but Kelly was sacked by Chidera Uzo-Diribe.

That defensive stand did not spark the Buffs' offense, as they went on to punt the ball after three straight plays.