Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter Lead Colorado to Narrow Victory Over North Dakota State
Game Summary
In a thrilling season opener, Shedeur Sanders threw for 445 yards and four touchdowns, with three of those going to Travis Hunter, helping Colorado edge past North Dakota State 31-26 on Thursday night. The game, played in Boulder, Colorado, showcased the Buffaloes' high-powered offense under coach Deion Sanders as they kicked off Year 2 of his tenure.
Key Moments
The game was nearly marred by an unnecessary pass attempt by Sanders. With just 1:41 left on the clock and Colorado needing only to run down the game clock, Sanders attempted a deep pass to LaJohntay Wester. The underthrown pass fell incomplete, stopping the clock and giving North Dakota State one last chance.
North Dakota State capitalized on the opportunity, getting the ball back with 31 seconds remaining. As the clock expired, Cam Miller threw a pass from his own 47-yard line that was caught by Tyler Terhark, who was stopped just 4 yards short of the end zone. Despite the close call, Colorado secured the win.
Coach and Player Reactions
Coach Deion Sanders expressed frustration with Sanders' decision, saying, "Shedeur's such a good kid, sometimes it costs him. I'm like, 'Come on, Dawg, not right now. It's not time to be the good guy right now. It's time to put this game away.'" Despite the close call, Sanders was pleased with the win but acknowledged room for improvement.
Sanders finished 26-of-34 passing with an interception and has now thrown for 955 yards and eight touchdowns in his first two openers at Colorado. He noted, "It was cool, but every incompletion, it hurts me inside a little bit. I'm excited for the win, but [there are] definitely situations in that game I personally could've handled better."
Outstanding Performances
Travis Hunter delivered a standout performance, catching seven passes for 132 yards and scoring three touchdowns. His acrobatic 3-yard touchdown reception with a defender on him extended Colorado's lead to 31-20 with 7:57 left in the game. Hunter's play drew praise from NBA star LeBron James, who tweeted, "MAN TRAVIS HUNTER IS RIDICULOUS!!!!! WOW."
Jimmy Horn Jr. also made a significant impact, recording seven catches for 198 yards and a touchdown. Despite Colorado's impressive passing game, the Buffaloes struggled with their ground attack, being outrushed 157-59. The offensive line provided solid protection, allowing just one sack, but Sanders was frequently on the move.
Defensive and Offensive Insights
Colorado's defense, under new coordinator Robert Livingston, showed areas needing improvement. North Dakota State's Miller scored on a 20-yard scramble to bring the game closer at 31-26, but his attempt at a two-point conversion was unsuccessful.
North Dakota State, led by new coach Tim Polasek, demonstrated their strong FCS credentials, leading 20-17 at halftime. Miller contributed two rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown, showing why the Bison are ranked No. 2 in the FCS preseason polls.
Polasek noted the narrow margin of victory, saying, "The difference in the game comes down to they made a few more plays than we did. I really believe that."
Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report.
