BOULDER, Colo. – A critical moment just before halftime in the Cincinnati Bearcats’ game against the Colorado Buffaloes led to a decisive outcome on Saturday night, with the Buffaloes clinching bowl eligibility following a 34-23 win.
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders completed 25 of 30 passes for 323 yards, throwing two touchdowns to versatile player Travis Hunter. The turning point for Cincinnati came with just three seconds left in the first half when Sanders connected with Hunter for a 34-yard touchdown pass. Both players are anticipated to be high selections in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Cincinnati was able to tie the game twice, but could not take the lead at any point.
Momentum Shift Against the Bearcats
The Bearcats and Buffaloes were even at 14 early in the second quarter until Alejandro Mata’s 28-yard field goal put Colorado ahead with 3:28 remaining. Cincinnati found itself in a position to either tie or take the lead before halftime, but failed to convert on a fourth-and-one situation. Quarterback Brendan Sorsby was stopped on a keeper attempt.
“Obviously, in your head you think you’re going to get it,” Sorsby said, acknowledging Colorado’s strong defensive push. “I’ve still got to find a way to get one yard.”
This left ample time for quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who quickly capitalized by throwing a touchdown to Hunter. Instead of entering halftime tied or ahead, Cincinnati found itself down by ten points.
“We didn’t want to give them the ball back for obvious reasons,” said UC head coach Scott Satterfield. “That was the play of the game.”
The Buffaloes extended their lead with a rushing touchdown from Isaiah Augustave late in the third quarter, bringing the score to 31-14. Cincinnati responded with a field goal and a touchdown pass from Sorsby to Joe Royer, but a missed two-point conversion and Mata’s late field goal sealed the 34-23 final.
“I’m a little disappointed at how we landed,” said Colorado coach Deion Sanders. “Mata was phenomenal doing what he did. Great team. They (Cincinnati) weren’t going to give up.”
With this victory, Colorado improved to 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the Big 12, while Cincinnati fell to 5-3 and 3-2 in the conference.
Strategic Decision for a Two-Point Conversion
Following Royer’s touchdown, UC chose to attempt a two-point conversion instead of kicking an extra point that could have narrowed the deficit to 31-24. Satterfield explained the reasoning behind the decision, citing statistics that favor going for two in such scenarios.
“It is the math,” he said. “If you get that and then kick the next one, there’s a theoretical path to winning the game, especially on the road.”
Quarterback Comparison: Sanders vs. Sorsby
While Shedeur Sanders had a standout performance, both quarterbacks experienced effective moments during the game. Sanders completed his first 15 passes and had a rushing touchdown before halftime, finishing the game with only five incomplete passes. Sorsby, by contrast, faced challenges against the Colorado defense, completing 16 of 30 passes for 180 yards.
“They’re a lot better team this year because of what they do defensively,” Satterfield remarked.
Cincinnati’s Rushing Game Insights
The Bearcats managed a slight edge in rushing yards with 85 to Colorado’s 49 at halftime, but faced a physically assertive Buffalos defense. Augustave shone for Colorado, finishing with 91 yards on 22 carries.
“We made a conscious effort at the beginning of the week that we were going to run the football,” Coach Sanders stated.
Travis Hunter’s Versatility
Travis Hunter showcased his diverse skill set, making key plays on both offense and defense. He registered 113 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the first half, wrapping up the game with nine catches for 153 yards, alongside two tackles and three pass break-ups.
“More than anything, they just executed well,” remarked Cincinnati defensive back Derrick Canteen when discussing Colorado’s talent.
Impact of Travel and Time Zone
Although altitude presented some challenges, the travel from Cincinnati added to the difficulty for the Bearcats, who returned home early Sunday morning. Satterfield acknowledged the unique challenges of late games and cross-country travel but praised his team’s effort.
“There’s a lot of ball left,” he noted, emphasizing the competitive nature of the Big 12.
Injury Update on Luke Kandra
Guard Luke Kandra left the game early and later returned but did not finish. Satterfield commented on the physical toll of the season and expressed concern for Kandra’s health moving forward.
Next Up for Cincinnati
Cincinnati will have a bye before hosting West Virginia on November 9, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Nippert Stadium. The Mountaineers recently won against Arizona and stand at 4-4.
Former wrestling star Bill Goldberg was in attendance, as his son, Gage Goldberg, plays for Colorado.
Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball Update
The Bearcats’ men’s basketball team participated in a “secret” scrimmage against Pittsburgh, which resulted in a 71-62 loss. This follows a trend from last season where they lost both of their secret scrimmages as they prepare for the upcoming season.