ORLANDO, Fla. — Deion Sanders and the Colorado football team faced a challenging matchup as significant underdogs on the road. However, they emerged victorious against UCF with a commanding performance.
The final score was Colorado 48, UCF 21.
Colorado demonstrated impressive defensive prowess with a standout play as safety Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig returned a UCF fumble 95 yards for a touchdown. This extended their lead with just over five minutes remaining in the game.
Wide receiver LaJohntay Wester continued his scoring streak, catching his fourth touchdown pass in as many weeks. His 10-yard touchdown reception restored a 20-point advantage for Colorado right before the end of the third quarter.
UCF quarterback KJ Jefferson connected with receiver Xavier Townsend for a 15-yard touchdown, contributing to the Knights’ total but marking the second highest points allowed by Colorado in the second half of the season.
In another pivotal moment, Colorado’s Travis Hunter intercepted Jefferson, making his mark as a potential Heisman candidate.
The Buffaloes took control of the game with an excellent 32-yard completion from Shedeur Sanders to Will Sheppard, leading to a one-yard touchdown run by Micah Welch.
UCF struggled to capitalize on its chances, including a miss on a 55-yard field goal attempt at the start of the second half.
At halftime, Colorado led 27-14 after Alejandro Mata hit two field goals, one from 36 yards and another from 46 yards, just before the break.
Jefferson managed to score for UCF with a seven-yard run, but their efforts were overshadowed by a series of Colorado touchdowns. Notably, Dallan Hayden, a transfer from Ohio State, scored from 14 yards out, building a two-score lead for the Buffaloes.
Will Sheppard also made an impact by catching a 43-yard touchdown pass, marking his first score of the season after a quiet start.
As the game unfolded, Colorado’s defense was solid, with Preston Hodge intercepting a KJ Jefferson pass, further stifling UCF’s momentum.
The game’s kickoff was delayed by 35 minutes due to severe weather conditions, leading to a later start time.
Both teams had their eyes on this matchup, with UCF favored by two touchdowns due to their leading rushing yards per game. However, Colorado’s run defense showed significant improvement over the previous season, creating a competitive atmosphere for this encounter.
As for injuries, Colorado welcomed back running back Dallan Hayden and defensive lineman Chidozie Nwankwo, both of whom had missed previous games. The availability of starting safety Shilo Sanders remained uncertain, but Coach Deion Sanders expressed optimism about his return.
Overall, Colorado’s victory against UCF was marked by strong offensive performance and impactful defensive plays, establishing them as a formidable team moving forward in the season.