Colorado rebounded from taking a rivalry beatdown by delivering one. Taking part in at Colorado State for the primary time since 1996, the Buffaloes rolled over the Rams 28-9 on Saturday.
The rematch of final 12 months’s heated double-overtime thriller in Boulder lacked the scoring and dramatics, however did showcase an improved Colorado workforce from the Buffaloes’ ugly displaying per week in the past, when Colorado trailed 28-0 at halftime of a 28-10 loss at Nebraska.
Colorado State quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi and receiver Tory Horton added one other jolt to the rivalry this week with some pregame trash speak. Horton argued that the Rams ought to have “murdered” Colorado final season, and Fowler-Nicolosi mentioned he needed to “see how far Instagram followers will get them.” Fowler-Nicolosi and Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders appeared to trade phrases after the sport. Sanders mentioned that earlier than the sport a Colorado State participant bumped into and elbowed Colorado receivers coach Jason Phillips.
“The disrespect was uncalled for throughout the week,” Colorado coach Deion Sanders mentioned. “We knew coming into the sport it could be a bit private. … I simply pray that our children would by no means act in that matter trigger y’all would have a subject day with it.”
On Saturday, Colorado’s play spoke loudest because the Buffaloes improved to 2-1 and earned their seventh consecutive win within the in-state rivalry, preserving the Centennial Cup in Boulder.
“Them Instagram followers bought us far immediately, ya heard?” Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter mentioned in a stay video posted to social media.
Additionally they spoiled the primary sellout for Colorado State in Canvas Stadium, which opened in 2017.
“Oh! This was the primary time they bought out right here? Why was that? You already know darn nicely why that was,” Sanders mentioned.
Colorado led 14-3 at halftime after trailing 3-0 after the primary quarter, then scored early within the third quarter to increase the result in 18 and coasted from there. Final week’s lopsided loss in Lincoln prompted loads of questions on how the transfer-heavy Buffaloes roster would reply. Sanders couldn’t have been extra happy with what he noticed.
“I’m simply so proud,” he mentioned.
Hunter strengthens his Heisman case
Fowler-Nicolosi taunted Hunter with a “too small” gesture after a two-yard scramble within the first half, however Hunter picked off the quarterback within the second half, returning his first interception of the season 38 yards. Hunter missed most of final 12 months’s comeback victory after struggling a lacerated liver on a late hit from Rams security Henry Blackburn.
“How silly is that?” Sanders mentioned. “That is Travis Hunter. Dude, that is Travis Hunter. That is Travis Hunter. Who does that? I don’t permit my youngsters to try this.”
Hunter caught 13 passes, tying his profession excessive, for 100 yards and two scores, his fourth consecutive recreation with triple-digit receiving yards. He additionally added a cross breakup and 5 tackles on protection.
“Travis is phenomenal,” Sanders mentioned. “Week in and week out.”
Colorado’s offensive line shuffling pays off
Deion and Shedeur Sanders have been crucial of the offensive line’s play per week in the past towards Nebraska’s defensive entrance, each in defending Colorado’s quarterback and in struggling to determine a working recreation.
Deion Sanders warned {that a} shakeup could possibly be coming, and it was. The Buffaloes benched UTEP switch Justin Mayers and moved Florida Worldwide switch Phillip Houston to beginning proper sort out. Additionally they moved Tyler Brown from proper sort out to left guard. 5-star freshman Jordan Seaton remained at left sort out, and Hank Zilinskas (heart) and Khalil Benson (proper guard) stayed of their spots.
The end result? Sanders had extra time and higher safety than he’s had all season, albeit towards a Colorado State protection that ranked eighty fifth nationally in tackles for loss and 118th in sacks with only one by two video games this season. Sanders was sacked only one time for a lack of six yards.
All 5 offensive linemen got here to the postgame press convention with Shedeur Sanders and Hunter.
“I’m so dern happy with these males I don’t know what to do,” Deion Sanders mentioned throughout an in-game interview on CBS. “I wish to line ’em up and kiss all of ’em. I really like ’em to life.”
For the second time underneath Sanders, the Buffaloes had a rusher surpass 60 yards in a single recreation, regardless of lacking beginning working again Dallan Hayden. Colorado ran for 112 yards on 17 carries. Freshman Micah Welch, certainly one of Colorado’s 11 highschool signees within the Class of 2024, carried the ball 9 occasions for 65 yards.
“It was very private. It meant the whole lot for us to go show the world incorrect,” Brown mentioned.
(Picture: Andrew Wevers / Getty Photos)