Coach Deion Sanders and his Colorado football team delivered a strong statement to the Big 12 Conference with their latest performance: they are a force to be reckoned with.
After a competitive showing against a top team last week, Colorado demonstrated their prowess on the road by defeating Arizona 34-7 at Arizona Stadium on Saturday. Remarkably, the Buffaloes achieved this victory without their star two-way player, Travis Hunter, who left the game after the first half due to a shoulder injury sustained earlier.
In the first half, Hunter made a brief appearance, catching two passes for 17 yards and contributing defensively with a tackle. However, with a commanding 28-7 lead at halftime, he did not return to the field.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders was instrumental in Colorado’s victory, completing 23 of 33 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns, alongside two interceptions. The Colorado defense was impressive, tallying seven sacks and preventing the Wildcats from scoring after their lone touchdown in the first quarter.
This win elevates Colorado’s record to 3-1 in the Big 12 and 5-2 overall, surpassing their total wins from last season under Sanders’ coaching. They are now one win shy of bowl eligibility with five regular-season games left. Their next matchup is against Cincinnati (5-2) at home this coming Saturday.
The Wildcats fell to 3-4 in front of an audience of 50,724, and standout receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who ranked third nationally in receiving yards, had a quiet game with only five catches for 38 yards.
Linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green led Colorado’s defense with eight tackles and a sack. The Buffaloes extended their lead to 34-7 in the final minutes, with backup quarterback Ryan Staub directing a scoring drive that culminated in a 34-yard field goal by Alejandro Mata.
Colorado began the second half by continuing to dominate, extending their lead further with a field goal that made it 31-7. Arizona struggled to regain momentum, punting three consecutive times after the halftime break.
Travis Hunter, who had been a focal point in the first half, did not play in the second half as a precaution after slightly aggravating his shoulder injury. Arizona was also hampered by injuries, notably the loss of linebacker Jacob Manu to a knee injury during the first half.
In a first half marked by three turnovers in just six plays, Colorado managed to maintain control, ending the period with a 28-7 advantage thanks to a touchdown run from Sanders.
With this decisive victory, Colorado continues to build momentum, showcasing their potential as they approach the latter part of the season.