Travis Hunter, a dynamic two-way player for the Colorado Buffaloes, made a compelling case to Heisman Trophy voters on Friday, showcasing his skills with 10 receptions for 116 yards and three touchdowns, alongside an interception in a commanding 52-0 victory over Oklahoma State. This performance demonstrated Hunter’s ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders delivered an impressive showing as well, completing 34 of 41 passes for 438 yards and five touchdowns, thrilling 51,030 fans at Folsom Field.
However, despite this significant win, the Buffs are left in a holding pattern regarding the Big 12 Conference championship game on December 7, due to a prior loss against Kansas. They entered Friday’s match in a competitive four-way tie for first place with BYU, Iowa State, and Arizona State, all boasting a 6-2 league record.
For Colorado to secure a spot in the title game, they need two out of the three other contenders to lose in their final games this weekend. If BYU loses and Texas Tech defeats West Virginia, the Buffs could still slide into the championship through a tiebreaker, thanks to their earlier victory against Texas Tech.
Should they miss out on the Big 12 title game, they’ll likely be bowl-bound for either the Alamo Bowl on December 28 or the Holiday Bowl on December 27. The Buffaloes have shown remarkable progress since last year’s dismal 1-11 finish. Under Deion Sanders’ leadership, they improved to 4-8 in his first season and have transformed their roster yet again, making significant additions like receiver LaJohntay Wester from Florida Atlantic, who had 11 catches for 175 yards and two touchdowns against Oklahoma State.
As the Heisman voting deadline approaches, Hunter, who was favored to win the prestigious award, had his final opportunity to sway voters in this game. With ballots set to be distributed on Monday, Hunter is eager to prove he deserves the title of the nation’s best player.
The win against Oklahoma State capped off a strong performance, with Colorado managing to score on their opening possessions. Despite a shaky second quarter, where they stalled offensively, they regained control and finished strong, demonstrating the potential to compete at a high level.
In the long run, Colorado has made significant strides over the last two seasons, showcasing a growing talent pool and developing a competitive edge. Regardless of the immediate outcomes, there is optimism surrounding the program’s trajectory, reflecting how far they have come since the challenging year before Deion Sanders took the helm.
Summary: Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders led the Colorado Buffaloes to a dominant 52-0 victory over Oklahoma State, with Hunter making a strong case for the Heisman Trophy. Despite their impressive win, the Buffs await help from other teams to secure a spot in the Big 12 title game. With a vast improvement from the previous seasons, Colorado shows a bright future under Deion Sanders’ leadership.