Tag: Buffaloes

Nov 29, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Travis Hunter (12) following an interception in the first quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

No. 17 BYU, No. 23 Colorado prepare for Big 12-flavored Alamo Bowl

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Conference foes No. 17 BYU and No. 23 Colorado will square off on Saturday night in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio.

The Cougars (10-2) and Buffaloes (9-3) once had their sights set on a Big 12 Conference championship game appearance and a berth in the College Football Playoff.

But late-season losses dashed those dreams, and in the era of mega conferences, the rare intra-conference bowl game will pit teams that didn’t play in the regular season.

Another rarity is the lack of players opting out to prevent injury. Colorado has taken out disability insurance to safeguard Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

In its latest NFL mock draft, CBS Sports had Hunter going No. 2 to the New England Patriots and Sanders going No. 3 to the Las Vegas Raiders, who would need to trade up to acquire that pick.

Sanders completed 74.2 percent of his passes for 3,926 yards, 35 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. Hunter rarely took a snap off, doubling as a wide receiver on offense and a cornerback on defense.

Hunter has declared for April’s NFL draft and had 92 catches for 1,152 yards, 14 receiving touchdowns and a rushing score. He had four interceptions, 11 passes defended and 31 tackles at cornerback.

“Colorado has a ton of talent in all three phases,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said. “I think a lot of credit goes to the offense for the Heisman Trophy winner (Hunter), Shedeur and the rest of the crew. But we are excited, they are a complete team and we’re excited about the matchup.”

The rest of the crew Sitake referenced includes second-leading receiver LaJohntay Wester, who caught 70 passes for 880 yards and 10 touchdowns, and Will Sheppard, who had 617 yards and six TDs.

Colorado was 4-8 last year in coach Deion Sanders’ first season at the helm.

Freshman receiver Drelon Miller came on late in the season with two touchdowns in the Buffaloes’ last three games and is part of a youth movement that has Deion Sanders excited.

“We have some young talent here that’s going to help this program tremendously,” said the elder Sanders, who has the Buffaloes in just their third bowl game in the past 17 seasons. “When those (young) guys walked on the field, you felt their presence and they wanted us to know that they belong. And it was phenomenal. I don’t want to throw names out, but we got some talent.”

A 9-0 start had the Cougars rise to No. 6 in the Week 11 CFP rankings, but back-to-back losses to Kansas and eventual Big 12 champion Arizona State knocked them out of a shot in the conference title game.

Jake Retzlaff led the BYU turnaround — the Cougars were 5-7 last season — with 2,796 passing yards and 20 passing touchdowns. Chase Roberts was his top target with 51 catches for 843 yards and four scores.

Darius Lassiter racked up 679 receiving yards and four touchdowns, but he will sit out the first half of the Alamo Bowl after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the second half of the Cougars’ last game of the regular season.

“To flip it and turn it around, what they’ve accomplished this season isn’t a surprise given who their coach is,” Deion Sanders said. “(Sitake is) a good guy with a great team and I adore him.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 29, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders runs onto the field before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Colorado adds DE London Merritt among 4 high-profile recruits

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Colorado football coach Deion Sanders and his program scored a huge recruiting haul as Thanksgiving came to a close with four elite prospects in the Class of 2025 verbally committing to the Buffaloes.

In live appearances Thursday night on the “Nightcap” streaming talk show hosted by former NFL players Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson, recruits London Merritt and Alexander McPherson of IMG Academy, Carde Smith of Williamson High School in Mobile, Ala., and Quentin Gibson of North Crowley High in Fort Worth, Texas, pledged to play for Colorado.

Smith had decommitted from Southern California on Nov. 20, while Merritt changed his mind on Ohio State on Nov. 26, the same day that McPherson dropped Oklahoma State.

Merritt, listed at 6-foot-2 1/2 and 250 pounds, is a four-star edge rusher at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. He is No. 144 in the Class of 2025, No. 13 at edge and 24th overall in Florida, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.

McPherson (6-5 1/2, 240) is a three-star defensive lineman at IMG Academy. He is rated No. 1,025 in the nation, No. 113 among all defensive linemen and 133rd in Florida in the composite rankings.

Smith (6-5, 293) is a four-star offensive tackle at Wiliamson High. He is No. 224 among the country’s seniors, No. 24 at his position and No. 15 overall in Alabama.

Gibson (5-8, 165) is a three-star wide receiver at North Crowley High School in Fort Worth, Texas. He is the No. 668 player in the Class of 2025, No. 101 among wide receivers and 94th in all of Texas, according to the composite rankings.

One week earlier, Colorado scooped up four-star QB Julian Lewis, ranked No. 6 at his position by the 247Sports composite. Lewis, from Carrollton (Ga.) High School, pledged to Colorado after decommitting from USC, to which he gave his verbal pledge in August 2023.

The Buffaloes also have commitments from four-star receiver Adrian Wilson of Weiss (Texas) High in Pflugerville, four-star wideout Quanell X Farrakhan Jr. of Houston’s North Shore High, and four-star offensive lineman Chauncey Gooden of Lipscomb Academy in Nashville.

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas running back Devin Neal (4) splits the defense for additional yardage during the 1st quarter between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Colorado Buffaloes at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images

Devin Neal (4 TDs), Kansas set mark with upset of No. 16 Colorado

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Devin Neal scored four touchdowns as Kansas upset No. 16 Colorado 37-21 Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

Kansas (5-6, 4-4 Big 12) became the first team in college football history with a losing record to win three straight games against ranked opponents. The Jayhawks’ bowl chances seemed all but eliminated after they lost at then-No. 16 Kansas State on Oct. 26 and fell to 2-6. But if they win at Baylor next Saturday, they’ll be bowl-eligible.

Neal had three rushing touchdowns while gaining 207 yards. He also caught four passes for 80 yards and a score. Jalon Daniels was 14-of-21 passing for 189 yards and a TD and rushed for 72 yards on six carries.

Shedeur Sanders was 23-of-29 passing for 266 yards and three touchdowns for the Buffaloes (8-3, 6-2), who rushed for only 42 yards. Heisman Trophy favorite Travis Hunter had eight catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns.

Trailing by nine at the half, Colorado scored on its first second-half possession when Sanders found Hunter for a 26-yard touchdown. But Neal’s third TD extended Kansas’ lead to 30-21 midway through the third. Neal then punched it in from the 2-yard line for a 37-21 Jayhawks advantage with less than 12 minutes to play.

Colorado got deep in Kansas territory with 6:22 left but turned it over on downs.

Kansas received the opening kickoff and went 73 yards on six plays to take a 7-0 lead. Daniels hit Neal on a short screen to the left side and Neal went 51 almost untouched for the score.

After forcing a Colorado three-and-out, Kansas drove deep into Buffaloes territory. The drive stalled and the Jayhawks settled for a 24-yard Tabor Allen field goal.

The Jayhawks then stopped Colorado on a fourth-and-2 just past midfield. On the ensuing drive, Kansas went 61 yards in eight plays, capped by Neal’s 9-yard touchdown run.

The Buffaloes finally got on the board as Sanders found Hunter on a wide-receiver screen and Hunter went 51 yards for the score with 7:18 left before intermission.

Neal’s 47-yard run set up the Jayhawks at Colorado’s 8-yard line, but the Jayhawks had to settle for another Allen field goal.

Sanders found Drelon Miller on a 19-yard touchdown and Allen hit a 25-yard field goal inside the final two minutes of the second quarter.

Kansas led 23-14 at the break.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders looks on before the game against the Utah Utes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Deion Sanders dismisses talk of leaving Colorado

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Given his success this season as Colorado’s head coach, it’s no surprise that Deion Sanders’ name has been mentioned for other coaching vacancies, including in the NFL, but Sanders said Tuesday he has no intention of leaving the Buffaloes.

“I’m happy where I am, man,” Sanders told reporters Tuesday. “I’ve got a kickstand down. You know what a kickstand is? … That means I’m resting. I’m good, I’m happy, I’m excited. I’m enthusiastic about where I am. I love it here, truly do.”

The No. 16 Buffaloes are 8-2, already doubling their win total from last season’s 4-8 finish, which was Sanders’ first at the helm.

He signed a five-year $29.5 million contract with Colorado after the 2022 season, which saw the Buffaloes fire Karl Dorrell midseason and notch just one win.

Now, at 6-1 in the conference, they’re two wins away from competing in the Big 12 title game and are pushing for an appearance in the College Football Playoff.

This success has prompted speculation that Sanders could fill one of several coaching vacancies, including at the NFL level, with former Dallas Cowboys teammate Michael Irvin among those suggesting Sanders could wind up in Dallas if the team parts ways with current coach Mike McCarthy.

Sanders, however, spoke highly of his younger players and the expectation that Colorado’s success will continue, despite the likelihood that key players like Heisman Trophy candidates Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, Deion’s son, will depart for the NFL after this season.

“It says a lot about what we plan on being and the stability that we’re going to be here for a while,” he said. “We ain’t going nowhere. We’re about to get comfortable.”

Tied with BYU for first place in the Big 12, Colorado visits 4-6 Kansas on Saturday and finishes out the season hosting 3-7 Oklahoma State.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) dives for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Colorado star Travis Hunter first Big 12 POTW on offense, defense

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Colorado star wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter earned a unique accolade on Monday because of his abilities on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

Hunter was named the Big 12’s offensive player of the week, becoming the first player in conference history to have won both offensive and defensive player of the week honors.

He played 132 total snaps on Saturday in a 34-23 win over Cincinnati, setting a career high with 153 receiving yards on nine receptions, with touchdowns of 3 and 34 yards.

The Heisman Trophy candidate — a consensus All-American in 2023 — had collected the defensive award after his performance in the Buffaloes’ 28-9 victory over Colorado State on Sept. 14. The junior made five tackles, one interception and one pass breakup.

For the season, Hunter has 20 tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, two interceptions and a Big 12-best seven pass breakups as Colorado has become bowl eligible at 6-2 (4-1 conference).

Hunter, who has battled a shoulder injury that caused him to miss portions of games, leads the Big 12 with eight TD catches, is tied for first with 60 receptions and is third with 757 receiving yards.

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalos quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) runs for a touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats in the first half at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Buffaloes’ defense dominates in Colorado’s rout of Arizona

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Shedeur Sanders threw two touchdown passes and Colorado’s defense held Arizona to 245 yards of total offense in a 34-7 victory Saturday in their Big 12 matchup in Tucson, Ariz.

Colorado (5-2, 3-1 Big 12) limited the Wildcats (3-4, 1-3) to 107 yards rushing while producing seven sacks. Samuel Okunlola and Keaten Wade each had two sacks to lead the Buffaloes.

Sanders completed 23 of 33 pass attempts for 250 yards, with two interceptions. He engineered an offense that was 9-of-18 on third-down conversions, 8-of-11 in the first half as Colorado built a 28-7 lead.

Travis Hunter, Colorado’s two-way standout, started after missing the second half of last week’s loss to Kansas State at Boulder, Colo., with a shoulder injury.

Hunter did not play in the second half against Arizona after re-aggravating the injury.

Arizona’s Noah Fifita threw for 138 yards while completing 16 of 26 passes with a touchdown and an interception.

The Wildcats’ last 10 possessions ended with a fumble, six punts, an interception, another fumble and the clock running out to end the game.

Arizona crossed into Colorado territory just three times.

Colorado’s first three drives resulted in touchdowns as the Buffaloes built a 21-7 lead with 13:03 remaining in the second quarter.

Sanders accounted for two of the touchdowns, a 1-yard pass to Drelon Miller and a 16-yard connection with Will Sheppard.

Colorado then had possessions end in a lost fumble after an errant snap to Sanders and an interception thrown by Sanders before a late score in the half.

The Buffaloes took advantage of Jimmy Horn’s 16-yard punt return to the Arizona 31 by scoring a touchdown on a 7-yard run by Sanders with 1:12 left in the half, increasing their lead to 28-7.

The only scoring that occurred in the second half were field goals of 28 and 34 yards by Colorado’s Alejandro Mata.

LaJohntay Wester had eight receptions for 127 yards for the Buffaloes.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) scores a touchdown against the UCF Knights during the first quarter at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Deion Sanders: Colorado WR-CB Travis Hunter playing ‘for certain’ at Arizona

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Colorado two-way standout Travis Hunter will be ready to play Saturday against Arizona, Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders said.

A junior in the running for the Heisman Trophy, Hunter has played cornerback and wide receiver for Colorado (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) this season, but left last week’s 31-28 loss to Kansas State with a right shoulder injury.

“Travis should play for certain,” Sanders said Tuesday.

Hunter went to the locker room with 5:18 left in the second quarter and did not return in the first half. He was on the field for 23 snaps on offense and 21 on defense while in the game.

The Buffaloes’ second-leading receiver, Jimmy Horn Jr., also left the game against Kansas State and didn’t play in the second half but is on track to play against Arizona (3-3, 1-2), Sanders said Tuesday.

Now in his second season in Colorado since transferring from Jackson State, Hunter had three receptions for 26 yards last week. He has 49 catches for 587 yards and six touchdowns, and he co-leads the team with two interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Jul 10, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Colorado Buffaloes safety Shilo Sanders speaks to the media during the Big 12 Media Days at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images

Colorado S Shilo Sanders (forearm) to return vs. K-State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Colorado safety Shilo Sanders, son of head coach Deion Sanders, is set to return this week when the Buffaloes face No. 18 Kansas State.

Shilo Sanders missed the past three games due to a forearm injury that necessitated surgery.

“Shilo’s ready. He’s practicing. He’s full go,” Deion Sanders told reporters. “Has a rubber cast on. He’s doing his thing. I can’t wait to see him back there.”

Shilo Sanders was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2023 after leading Colorado in tackles (70), taking an interception 80 yards for a touchdown and forcing a Big 12-best four fumbles.

This year, the senior safety had recorded 11 tackles through two games before his injury occurred Sept. 7 in a 28-10 loss to Nebraska.

The Buffs have since defeated Colorado State, Baylor and UCF to move to 4-1 on the year.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) rolls out to pass against the UCF Knights during the first quarter at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Shedeur Sanders, Colorado throttle UCF

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Shedeur Sanders passed for three touchdowns and two-way star Travis Hunter had a touchdown reception and an interception as Colorado routed UCF 48-21 Saturday afternoon in Orlando, Fla.

Lightning in the area delayed the start of the Big 12 matchup for about 50 minutes. The game started with the two teams exchanging interceptions on their first possessions before Sanders went to work.

Sanders was 28-of-35 passing for 290 yards with an interception. Nine of his completions went to Hunter for 89 yards and four others went to Will Sheppard for 99.

Sanders’ 23-yard pass to Hunter gave the Buffaloes (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) their first score, and his 47-yard toss to Sheppard broke an early 7-7 tie and gave the visitors the lead for good.

The Knights (3-1, 1-1) closed to within 21-14 on KJ Jefferson’s 7-yard scoring run midway through the second quarter. Alejandro Mata made two field goals to leave Colorado ahead 27-14 at halftime.

Jefferson finished 20-of-35 passing for 284 yards and two interceptions. RJ Harvey caught a 75-yard touchdown and led UCF with 77 rushing yards, but the Knights struggled to ignite their ground game.

UCF finished with a season-low 177 yards rushing, including just 34 in the first half. Harvey’s output came after he entered Saturday averaging 149.3 rushing yards per game.

Colorado essentially put the game out of reach with Micah Welch’s 1-yard plunge and LaJohntay Wester’s 10-yard touchdown reception. Those scores sandwiched Jefferson’s 15-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Townsend and left the Buffaloes ahead 41-21 entering the fourth.

Hunter intercepted Jefferson with Colorado leading 34-14 in the third.

Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig thwarted UCF’s bid for a late fourth-quarter touchdown with a 95-yard scoop-and-score following Jefferson’s fumble.

The Buffaloes matched their win total from a season ago. The loss was the Knights’ worst since a 51-22 setback at Kansas last Oct. 7.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) scrambles in the pocket during the first half against the Baylor Bears at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

Shedeur Sanders, Colorado tie it late, upend Baylor in OT

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Travis Hunter forced a Dominic Richardson fumble at the goal line that rolled out of the end zone, securing Colorado’s 38-31 overtime win over Baylor on Saturday night in Boulder, Colo., in the Big 12 opener for both teams.

Shedeur Sanders’ 43-yard pass was caught in the end zone by LaJohntay Wester as time expired in regulation as Colorado (3-1, 1-2 Big 12) sent the game to overtime tied at 31-all. Micah Welch’s 1-yard touchdown run provided the go-ahead score on Colorado’s first possession in overtime.

Sanders was 25-for-41 passing for 342 yards, two passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown.

Sawyer Robertson threw for 148 yards, including a 24-yard, one-handed scoring grab by Hal Presley that gave Baylor (2-2, 0-1) a 31-24 lead with 5:43 left in regulation. Robertson also led the Bears with 82 rushing yards on nine carries and a touchdown.

Hunter hauled in seven catches for 130 yards, Omarion Miller had two catches for 71 yards and a touchdown and Wester finished with four catches for 68 yards and a touchdown.

An Isaiah Hankins 32-yard field goal gave the Bears a 3-0 first-quarter lead. A prolific passer, Sanders scored on a 2-yard run to put the Buffaloes ahead 7-3 late in the first quarter.

Baylor struck back on its next possession when Monterey Baldwin went into a full-extension dive to haul in a 30-yard pass from Robertson for a 10-7 lead.

A 43-yard field goal by Alejandro Mata tied the game 10-all in the second quarter. Baylor had an instant response when Jamaal Bell returned a Jace Feely kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and a 17-10 Bears lead.

Baylor scored on a four play, 54-yard drive when Robertson turned a fourth-and-1 play into a 45-yard touchdown run when burst through the defensive line and out raced the Buffaloes’ secondary to give the Bears a 24-10 lead.

With 50 seconds left in the first half, Sanders ducked out of a what looked like a sack, found an open Miller, who narrowly kept his knee from hitting the ground when he slipped a tackle, and sprinted down the sideline for a 58-yard touchdown to cut Baylor’s lead to 24-17.

It was an explosive third possession of the second half for Colorado. On the six-play, 80-yard drive, Sanders hit Hunter with passes of 46 and 31 yards to set up a 2-yard touchdown run for Welch to tie the game 24-all.

Colorado played its first Big 12 game since 2010. The Buffaloes played in the Pac-12 for the last 13 seasons.

–Field Level Media