Coach Deion Sanders and the Colorado football team have delivered a formidable warning to the Big 12 Conference:
Beware of the Buffaloes.
After demonstrating their capability against one of the conference’s top teams last week, the Buffaloes showcased their strength on the road with a decisive 34-7 victory over Arizona on Saturday at Arizona Stadium. Remarkably, they achieved this without the full participation of their star two-way player, Travis Hunter.
Hunter returned from a shoulder injury last week and played in the first half, where he caught two passes for 17 yards and made a tackle. However, he left the game at halftime when the Buffaloes had established a commanding 28-7 lead and did not return.
By that point, the game was nearly decided. Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders had an impressive performance, completing 23 of 33 passes for 250 yards, along with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Meanwhile, the Colorado defense stood strong, registering seven sacks and holding Arizona scoreless after allowing a touchdown in the first quarter.
With this win, Colorado improves to 3-1 in the Big 12 and 5-2 overall, surpassing their total wins from last season during Sanders’ inaugural year as head coach. The victory brings them closer to bowl game eligibility, needing just one more win as they head into their next match against Cincinnati at home.
Arizona’s record drops to 3-4, with an announced attendance of 50,724. Notably, star receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who ranked third nationally with an average of 123.7 receiving yards per game, was limited to just five catches for 38 yards against Colorado.
Linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green, transferred from Charlotte, led the Buffaloes’ defense with eight tackles and a sack.
In the latter part of the game, backup players further extended Colorado’s lead to 34-7 with 4:42 remaining, following a short scoring drive led by backup quarterback Ryan Staub, set up by an interception from cornerback Colton Hood that positioned them on the Arizona 23-yard line. Kicker Alejandro Mata capped the drive with a 34-yard field goal.
During the third quarter, Colorado maintained its lead with a nine-play, 76-yard drive resulting in a 28-yard field goal by Mata, pushing the score to 31-7 as Arizona struggled offensively with three consecutive punts.
Travis Hunter did not play in the second half due to a minor aggravation of his shoulder injury, a precautionary measure as Colorado led comfortably at halftime.
The game marked a chaotic moment in the second quarter with three turnovers happening in just six plays, yet Arizona failed to capitalize on the opportunities. Colorado’s Sanders finished the first half strong, throwing for 173 yards and two touchdowns.
Overall, the Buffaloes excelled offensively and defensively, establishing themselves as a formidable opponent in the Big 12.