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Boulder, Colo. • As the Utes waded through a black sea of joy, they saw firsthand what could've been theirs only eight days ago.

The rush came down from the stands, Folsom Field's first sellout crowd since 2008 that was eager to celebrate Colorado's first Pac-12 South Division title.

But Utah (8-4, 5-4), which couldn't convert its red zone opportunities, couldn't get points off turnovers, and couldn't capitalize on great special teams play, met its regular season's end with red eyes and grim stares as they trudged off from their last conference game.

It was an ugly 27-22 defeat, one which crowned the No. 9 Buffaloes atop the division. And after a 1-3 slide to finish the season and with an uncomfortable wait for a third straight bowl bid ahead, coach Kyle Whittingham was left recycling a familiar refrain: The offense wasn't good enough to win.

"It's a shame that we didn't get it done," he said. "We didn't. "We had our chances. But you've got to score points."

The last rites for Utah's regular season were delivered in the red zone.

Five times, the Utes entered or were given possession inside Colorado's 10-yard line. Only once — a seven-yard score from Troy Williams to Demari Simpkins with 1:34 remaining — did Utah score a touchdown. Three other times, Utah called in senior Andy Phillips to deliver chip shot field goals of 23 yards or less, and senior running back Joe Williams fumbled for the first time since September on the other possession.

The Utes were given all the opportunities they could want, including a 93-yard kickoff return from Kyle Fulks that put the offense at the three yard line. But a red zone unit that the head coach called "brutally bad" faltered in the phone booth lying just in front of Colorado's end zone, with a third-down incompletion before each of the field goals.

"We weren't able to get it done. Point blank, period," Troy Williams said. "I don't know if it's a scientific thing about it, a stat thing or whatever."

While Utah's defense allowed only seven second-half points from Colorado's senior-laden offense, the deciding score came on an offensive gaffe. Joe Williams was stripped by CU linebacker Kenneth Olugbode, who ran back the fumble for a 10-yard touchdown.

The blame was shared on offense, which totaled only 339 yards: by Troy Williams, who was 13 for 40 on the day with two picks and said he felt like he let Utah's seniors down; by Joe Williams, who coughed up the ball twice and didn't go for more than 100 yards for the first time since his retirement; by receivers who saw balls slip through their fingers or bounce off their chests.

Whittingham was asked: Was it playcalling? Was it execution?

"I just think in a performance like this," he replied, "it's all of the above."

Unlike a crushing loss the week before to Oregon, Utah had plenty of help. The defense came up with seven 3-and-outs against Colorado's offense, recovering fumbles twice from quarterback Sefo Liufau. While the CU senior passer had success running the ball early, leading a touchdown drive in the first quarter and two field goal drives in the second, the Utes responded in the second half, allowing only one scoring drive.

The score itself was strange: Utah sent out receiver Tyrone Smith to cover Shay Fields, one of Colorado's top targets. Liufau found Fields easily in the corner, giving the Buffs a 20-13 lead at the end of the third period.

Utah's special teams were exceptional: A 55-yard punt return by Boobie Hobbs in the first quarter gave the Utes their only lead of the game. Similarly, Fulks responded to Colorado's go-ahead touchdown in the third with a 93-yard kickoff return, setting up Utah for a go-ahead score of its own from three yards out.

Only the Utes couldn't gain yards — the offense actually lost two. After the field goal with 13:53 left, Colorado's fumble recovery touchdown put the game out of reach for Utah's sluggish attack.

Missed opportunities abounded. While senior receiver Tim Patrick caught a team-best 5 passes for 78 yards, other throws slipped through his fingers. No other Utah receiver went for more than 25 yards. Safety Tedric Thompson picked off two passes, and had four other break-ups among Colorado's 10.

Finishing third in the Pac-12 South, the Utes now have time to chew over their issues — and think about what could've been.

"As bad as it hurts, we've got another game to go to," senior Hunter Dimick said. "Get ready for that."

Twitter: @kylegoon

kgoon@sltrib.com Twitter: @kylegoon —

Storylines

P Colorado's 27-22 defeat of Utah gives the Buffaloes the Pac-12 South title, after they finished last in the division in their first five seasons of membership.

• Prior to its last drive, Utah's offense gets a total of nine points from four trips inside Colorado's 5-yard line.

• With a 5-4 conference record, the Utes finish sixth overall in the Pac-12 and will be assigned to one of the league's lower-tier bowl games.