Tag: Buffaloes

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

Sep 14, 2024; Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver LaJohntay Wester (10) celebrates his second quarter touchdown against the Colorado State Rams at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

Shedeur Sanders, defense propel Colorado over Colorado State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Shedeur Sanders was 36-for-49 passing for 310 yards and four touchdowns as Colorado beat Colorado State 28-9 in the Rocky Mountain Showdown to retain the Centennial Cup on Saturday night in Fort Collins, Colo.

Two-way star Travis Hunter had 13 receptions for 100 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on defense. LaJohntay Wester added 80 receiving yards and two touchdowns for the Buffaloes (2-1), who beat their longtime rivals for the seventh consecutive time.

Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi completed 22-of-39 passes for 209 yards and two interceptions for CSU (1-2).

Staked to a 14-3 first half lead, the Colorado defense forced turnovers on the Rams’ first three second-half possessions.

After Colorado State’s defense forced a Colorado punt to start the third, Fowler-Nicolosi was flushed from the pocket, threw across the field and was intercepted by Preston Hodge. With a short field, the Buffaloes needed just two plays to take a 21-3 lead on Hunter’s 2-yard touchdown catch.

The following 16-play CSU drive was thwarted on first and goal from the 4-yard line as LaVonta Bentley forced and recovered a fumble before the ball hit the ground. The teams traded turnovers as the Rams’ Chase Wilson recovered an Isaiah Augustave fumble.

Hunter intercepted a fourth-down pass by Nicolosi and five plays later, capped a five play, 55-yard drive with a 21-yard touchdown catch and a 28-3 lead for Colorado.

A 5-yard touchdown run by the Rams’ Justin Marshall in the fourth made the score 28-9. B.J. Green recovered a fumble late in the fourth — the Rams’ fourth turnover.

Colorado State took a 3-0 lead when Jordan Noyes capped an eight-play, 48-yard drive with a 25-yard field goal. It was the Rams’ only first-half points, as their other five drives resulted in four punts and a missed field goal.

A roughing-the-passer penalty aided the Buffaloes’ 12-play, 85-yard second-quarter drive that culminated in a 4-yard touchdown pass from Sanders to Wester and a 7-3 lead for Colorado.

Another mid-drive CSU penalty, a 15-yard facemask, gave Colorado extra yardage and set up Sanders’ 34-yard touchdown pass to Wester for a 14-3 Buffaloes lead.

Colorado had 109 yards rushing after only notching 16 last week in a loss at Nebraska.

–Field Level Media

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

Colorado looks for fourth win in a row over Nebraska

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Colorado will go for its fourth straight win over longtime rival Nebraska when the Buffaloes travel to Lincoln, Neb., for Saturday night’s game.

The Buffaloes have never won four in a row in the series that dates to 1898. Nebraska leads the all-time series 49-21-2 and won every meeting between the schools from 1968-1985.

“I just look at this as a really good football test for two teams,” Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said. “Two teams that have plans on being good teams and want to be relevant at the end of the year.”

Nebraska is 1-0 after thumping UTEP 40-7 in its season opener last week. The story was quarterback Dylan Raiola, who threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns in his debut and was recognized as Big Ten Freshman of the Week.

The 40 points were the most by Nebraska since 2021 and the first time they won their season opener in five years.

Colorado was the talk of the college football world early in the 2023 season. Last year they dismantled Nebraska 36-14 in a game marked by a pre-game incident with Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders breaking up a Cornhuskers huddle on the Buffs’ logo.

“I’ve never met him before, but I have watched him for the past couple of years. I have a tremendous amount of respect for that guy — what he has to deal with everything that comes with being a Sanders. I just have a lot of respect for how he’s handled it,” Raiola said.

“I think he’s an elite-level quarterback, and he’s gonna give us what we want. We just have to prepare — first-round quarterback, the whole nine. I respect him a lot and am excited to compete.”

Raiola’s father also played at Nebraska and in the NFL. Dominic Raiola was a center for the Detroit Lions from 2001-2014.

Neither side is approaching the game with any animosity, at least not yet.

“We’re going to dominate the day as best that we can. … So I love it. I think that’s what college football is all about, whether we’re in the same conferences or not. But this is a tremendous rivalry, and I look forward to it,” Colorado coach Deion Sanders said.

Shedeur Sanders threw for 445 yards and four touchdowns in the Buffaloes’ 31-26 season-opening win over North Dakota State last week. Two-way star Travis Hunter played all but two snaps, catching three touchdown passes and making three tackles.

–Field Level Media

The famous Ryman Auditorium microphone where so many artists have sang over the decades.

‘Voice of the Buffaloes’ Larry Zimmer dies at 88

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Larry Zimmer, the longtime Colorado Buffaloes radio announcer who also spent time broadcasting games for the Denver Broncos, Michigan Wolverines and Colorado State Rams, among others, died Saturday at the age of 88.

Surrounded by family after a 10-day stay at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Lakewood, Colo., Zimmer passed away peacefully, per the University of Colorado.

The school honored the man dubbed the “Voice of the Buffaloes” who broadcast 486 football contests and another 525 basketball games for them with a moment of silence prior to Sunday’s women’s basketball game between Colorado and Southern California.

“His voice was synonymous with our athletic program and he was most beloved by our coaches, players and fans,” Colorado athletic director Rick George said. “Whether it was calling games on KOA or serving as a master of ceremonies for many of our functions, Larry Zimmer was CU. He is truly a part of our overall athletic history. We will miss Zim and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Zimmer handled either play-by-play or color commentary duties for Colorado for 42 seasons and handled 26 seasons of commentary for the Broncos. He was on the microphone for four Super Bowls. He also called 51 Michigan football games and 34 Colorado State football contests.

“The Broncos are deeply saddened by the passing of legendary radio broadcaster and longtime Ring of Fame committee member Larry Zimmer,” the organization said in a released statement. “During his 52-year association with the Broncos, Larry called some of the franchise’s most iconic moments and helped honor some of our greatest legends. Our thoughts go out to Larry’s wife, Brigitte, and his entire family.”

Born in 1935 in New Orleans, La., Zimmer started his education at LSU before transferring to Missouri, where he graduated in 1957. Zimmer got his start doing baseball games for the Tigers before taking on broadcasting duties for Michigan in 1966.

He joined KOA five years later, kick-starting his long associations with CU and the Broncos.

–Field Level Media

Sep 16, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Travis Hunter (12) walks on the field against the Colorado State Rams during the first half at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports

Colorado’s Travis Hunter plans to play Friday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Colorado cleared Travis Hunter to return and play Friday for the first time since a lacerated liver on Sept. 16.

A two-way star who plays cornerback and wide receiver, Hunter could be on a snap count or restricted to one position depending on “how he looks,” in a final pregame test before the Pac-12 matchup with Stanford in Boulder, coach Deion Sanders said.

“He has to be in shape. I don’t want him to be a liability. I want him always to be a tremendous asset,” Sanders said.

Hunter told Sanders on Monday that he was back to normal, defying initial timelines for his return later this month.

Sanders added that Hunter will be wearing “protection” around the liver area.

Hunter was hurt in the Buffaloes’ 43-35 double-overtime win over Colorado State. He was on the receiving end of a sideline hit from Rams safety Henry Blackburn and hasn’t played since.

A former five-star high school recruit, Hunter plays wide receiver and cornerback for Sanders at Colorado after following the coach there from Jackson State. In the first three games of 2023, Hunter had 16 catches for 233 yards on offense and one interception, two pass breakups and nine tackles on defense.

–Field Level Media

Sep 9, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Travis Hunter (12) following the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Deion Sanders: ‘Tremendous chance’ Travis Hunter returns vs. Stanford

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter is closer than ever to returning to game action after suffering a lacerated liver Sept. 16.

Colorado (4-2, 1-2 Pac-12) hosts Stanford on Friday night before a bye week.

“There’s a tremendous chance he could play,” Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders told reporters Tuesday. “It goes by how he looks, how he performs in practice, how his wind is. … He has to be in shape. I don’t want him to be a liability. I want him always to be a tremendous asset.”

Sanders previously said it was his “dream and desire” that Hunter stayed out until after the bye week, but Hunter has been persistent.

“He came to me (Monday) morning saying, ‘What more can I do to help us get to the point that we need to get to?’” Sanders said. “So I love the team aspect of Travis 100 percent. I hope he can play.”

Sanders added that Hunter will be wearing “protection” around the liver area.

Hunter suffered the injury during the Buffaloes’ 43-35 double-overtime win over Colorado State on Sept. 16. The wide receiver/defensive back took a tough late hit at the sideline from Rams safety Henry Blackburn and hasn’t played since.

A former five-star high school recruit, Hunter plays wide receiver and cornerback for Sanders at Colorado after following the coach there from Jackson State. In the first three games of 2023, Hunter had 16 catches for 233 yards on offense and one interception, two pass breakups and nine tackles on defense.

–Field Level Media

Oct 7, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Trenton Bourguet (16) is sacked by Colorado Buffaloes defensive end Arden Walker (53) in the second half at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Colorado seeks return to dominance, welcomes Stanford to town

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Colorado has recently taken a dip after a magical 3-0 start, but the Buffaloes have a chance to rediscover their prowess when they face hapless Stanford in Pac-12 play on Friday night in Boulder, Colo.

While Colorado ended an eight-game Pac-12 losing streak with last Saturday’s 27-24 win at Arizona State, the Cardinal (1-4, 0-3 Pac-12) have dropped 17 of their past 18 conference games, including seven straight.

Stanford is coming off a bye after losing its previous four contests.

Colorado (4-2, 1-2) lost to then-No. 10 Oregon and then-No. 8 Southern California in back-to-back weeks before escaping with a victory against the Sun Devils thanks to Alejandro Mata’s 43-yard field goal with 12 seconds left.

Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders was highly irritated with his team’s performance.

“I’m happy about the win but I’m not happy in the fashion that we won it in,” the man known as Coach Prime said. “We’re better than that. We really are better than that, and we got to start showing that. …

“I’m sick of these consistent holes that we’re displaying and the penalties and the things that we’re doing. We’re so much better. I apologize for my anger … but I don’t accept mediocrity.”

Some good news for the Buffaloes came Monday when two-way standout Travis Hunter practiced for the first time since sustaining a lacerated liver during a victory over Colorado State on Sept. 16.

Quarterback Shedeur Sanders continues to thrive and has completed 72.7 percent of his passes this season for 2,020 yards, 16 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

Prior to the bye, Stanford was annihilated 42-6 by then-No. 9 Oregon when the Ducks had a 506-222 advantage in total offense.

“They’re explosive obviously,” Cardinal first-year coach Troy Taylor said. “Our defense did a really good job in the first half. You put an explosive offense on the field that much, they will make plays.”

Stanford’s lone win came in its season opener against Hawaii. The Cardinal also lost to FCS foe Sacramento State — Taylor’s former program — to start a streak of three consecutive home setbacks.

While the defense is allowing 34.6 points per game, the offense is averaging just 19.2 behind inconsistent quarterback play.

Ashton Daniels is completing 60 percent of his passes for 561 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, while Justin Lamson has a 49.2 percent accuracy rate while throwing for 413 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.

Outside linebacker David Bailey leads the defense with four sacks.

Colorado has won the past three meetings between the teams after Stanford prevailed in the previous five.

–Field Level Media

USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) throws a pass against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Sept. 23, 2023.

Colorado faces another high-scoring test when No. 8 USC visits

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Colorado was just shellacked by one Top 10 team, and another is on its way on the rigorous Pac-12 schedule.

Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams and No. 8 Southern California arrive as the next test for the Buffaloes on Saturday in Boulder, Colo.

The Trojans (4-0, 2-0 Pac-12) lead the nation in scoring offense at 55 points per game and are looking to pin another defeat on the Buffaloes (3-1, 0-1), who were routed 42-6 at then-No. 10 Oregon last weekend.

And Williams is playing like he wants to join Ohio State legend Archie Griffin (1974-75) as the lone two-time Heisman winners. He has completed 74.3 percent of his passes for 1,200 yards, 15 touchdowns and no interceptions. He has also rushed for three touchdowns.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders, a Hall of Fame cornerback at both the college and pro levels, was asked what he liked about Williams.

“Everything. The kid is a playmaker,” the man known as Coach Prime said. “He deserved the Heisman Trophy a year ago. … He makes plays. He makes that team go. He’s a handful.”

Williams was intercepted just five times in 500 passing attempts last season. The offseason goal was to see Williams become even more efficient with intermediate and deep throws.

So far, so good — Williams has been pick-free in 101 attempts.

“I for sure worked on it,” Williams said. “I thought I was pretty efficient last year, but this year … when you have those moments, and you have those big plays that come up, you want to be able to execute and capitalize in those moments. And we’ve been able to do that so far.”

Williams passed for 322 yards and three touchdowns and ran for two more scores in last weekend’s 42-28 road victory over Arizona State. A sluggish effort on defense led USC to drop three spots in the rankings.

The Trojans rank third in total offense (569.2 yards per game) and are also getting strong production from running back MarShawn Lloyd (349 yards, two touchdowns) and receivers Brenden Rice (12 catches, 257 yards, five touchdowns) and Tahj Washington (10-278-four).

Colorado, which is 0-16 all-time against USC, figures to have its hands full on defense.

The Buffaloes will be without two-way star Travis Hunter (lacerated liver) for the second straight game. Hunter’s strong play as a cornerback will definitely be missed against the Trojans’ high-powered passing game.

Safety Shilo Sanders is questionable, though his father, Deion, remains hopeful. When the team returned to Boulder after the loss to Oregon, Shilo Sanders was transported to a hospital because he was urinating blood.

“He’s doing much better,” Deion Sanders said Tuesday. “We’re praying that he heals and he’s playing this weekend. He’s a valuable part of our secondary and our team defensively.”

Offensively, quarterback Shedeur Sanders was sacked seven times against Oregon and has been dropped 22 times in four games. He passed for a season-low 159 yards after topping 300 in each of the first three games.

The offensive line has also struggled to help get the running game moving. The Buffaloes are last in the nation in both rushing offense (55.8 ypg) and yards per carry (1.91).

Troubles or not, USC coach Lincoln Riley has been paying attention to the early-season Colorado rise under Coach Prime. He said last week’s tough time in Eugene has nothing to do with what goes on this Saturday in Boulder.

“Whether (Colorado) won by a lot, lost by a lot, or anything in between, we’re gonna see a good football team at their home and those are always a challenge,” Riley said.

–Field Level Media

Sep 16, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes safety Shilo Sanders (21) looks on during the fourth quarter against the Colorado State Rams at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports

Colorado safety Shilo Sanders went to ER after Oregon game

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Colorado safety Shilo Sanders, the son of coach Deion Sanders, had to be taken to the emergency room with an undisclosed injury after the Buffaloes’ 42-6 loss to Oregon on Saturday.

In a video released on YouTube by his brother Deion Sanders Jr., Shilo Sanders was seen coming off the team plane and saying that he was “peeing blood.”

Asked if he was all right, Shilo Sanders replied, “Nah, I made a tackle and I landed on my kidney or something bro, so I gotta go to the ER and get checked.”

On Tuesday, Deion Sanders told reporters his son was improving. Colorado is preparing for another Pac-12 game against a ranked opponent this Saturday, this time No. 8 Southern California in Boulder, Colo.

“We went to the hospital right after we landed,” Deion Sanders said. “He’s doing much better. We’re praying that he heals and he’s playing this weekend. He’s a valuable part of our secondary and our team defensively.”

In four games this season, Shilo Sanders has 26 tackles, one forced fumble and one interception he returned for a touchdown against Colorado State.

–Field Level Media

Sep 9, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Travis Hunter (12) following the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Deion Sanders says no Travis Hunter for Colorado vs. No. 8 USC

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter will not play this Saturday’s home game against No. 8 Southern California as he recovers from a lacerated liver.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders — in a video posted online Monday on his son’s YouTube channel — told his players that Hunter texted him saying he needed to play this week after missing Colorado’s 42-6 loss to Oregon.

“We need to get everything we can so I can get back on the field. I’m not taking no for an answer,” Hunter purportedly told Sanders.

Sanders then told his team how he responded:

“No, you ain’t ready and I care about you more than I care about this game. You’re going to change the game of football one day when you get healthy and ready. Your future is brighter than mine ever will be and ever was. Relax and get healthy. I love you, son.”

Hunter was injured Sept. 16 when Colorado State’s Henry Blackburn laid an illegal hit on him along the sideline.

A former five-star high school recruit, Hunter plays wide receiver and cornerback for Sanders at Colorado after following the coach there from Jackson State. In the first three games of 2023, Hunter had 16 catches for 233 yards on offense and one interception, two pass breakups and nine tackles on defense.

After the Buffaloes’ lopsided loss at Oregon, unbeaten USC is a 21.5-point favorite against Colorado at BetMGM and FanDuel Sportsbook.

–Field Level Media