FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The Colorado Buffaloes revamped their offensive line, maintained solid defense, and received an outstanding contribution from two-way player Travis Hunter.

They reveled in their success following a 28-9 victory against their long-time rival, Colorado State, in front of a crowd of 40,099 at Canvas Stadium.

Hunter showcased exceptional versatility, catching 13 passes for 100 yards and scoring two touchdowns. He also intercepted a pass and made five tackles defensively. After suffering from six sacks in last week’s defeat to Nebraska, the offensive line only allowed one sack against the Rams.

By the end of the game, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders had completed 36 of 49 attempts for a total of 310 yards and also threw four touchdown passes.

This victory is a sigh of relief for the Buffaloes. Following a disappointing 28-10 loss to Nebraska, another defeat against Colorado State could have led to significant doubts regarding the team’s development in Deion Sanders’ second season as head coach.

However, the Buffs (2-1) established a 14-3 lead by halftime, delivering the vital performance they required on the road.

With this win, CU extends its winning streak to seven against CSU and is heading in the right direction as they prepare for their Big 12 Conference opener at home against Baylor next Saturday.

The Buffs now lead in the all-time series against the Rams with a record of 69-22-2.

Travis Hunter’s Injury Scare

Hunter was examined on the sidelines after appearing to get banged up while making a tackle. His arm seemed to be the problematic area.

He didn’t return to the field during the Buffs’ next offensive series after Colorado State scored, making the score 28-9, but was back on the field for defense in the following series.

Colorado 28, Colorado State 3: Travis Hunter Scores Again

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Travis Hunter capitalized on his interception to catch a 21-yard touchdown pass to start the fourth quarter, pushing the Buffaloes’ lead to 28-3 with 13:20 left in the game.

Hunter’s touchdown catch came against Colorado State’s zone defense in the end zone corner, where quarterback Shedeur Sanders connected with him to conclude a 5-play, 55-yard drive that initiated after Hunter’s interception.

Hunter now has 12 receptions totaling 90 yards and two touchdowns in the game.

Colorado 21, Colorado State 3: Third Quarter Ends with Travis Hunter’s Interception

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Travis Hunter continues to impress. After securing a touchdown catch on offense, the Colorado star earned an interception, and the Buffaloes are leading Colorado State 21-3 at the end of the third quarter.

Hunter intercepted a deep fourth-down pass from Colorado State and returned it 38 yards, though he was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct due to his celebration.

“He’s incredible,” Colorado coach Deion Sanders remarked to CBS after the interception.

The interception marked the third time Colorado State turned over the ball in the game, leading to a total of three turnovers combined by both teams at the close of the third quarter.

Prior to Hunter’s interception, the Rams had driven to the Colorado 4-yard line, gaining a first down and nearly closing the gap against CU. They had successfully converted two fourth downs to keep their drive alive, but disaster struck when running back Keegan Holles fumbled after being tackled by Colorado linebacker LaVonta Bentley, who recovered the fumble, giving possession back to his team at their own 7-yard line.

Unfortunately, the Buffs could not take advantage of the opportunity and turned the ball over themselves after running back Isaiah Augustave fumbled it four plays later.

Colorado 21, Colorado State 3: Buffaloes Capitalize on Interception with a Travis Hunter TD

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The dynamic duo of Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter fired up the Colorado team once more.

The Buffaloes now hold a 21-3 lead over Colorado State with 10:11 remaining in the third quarter after a 2-yard touchdown pass from Sanders to Hunter, the exceptional two-way player.

This score was set up by an interception from Colorado safety Preston Hodge, who intercepted a pass from Colorado State’s quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi thrown into coverage. The turnover gave the Buffs a first down at CSU’s 12-yard line after their offense had stalled earlier in the half.

At this point, Sanders has completed 25 of 34 passes for 199 yards with three touchdowns, and Hunter has accumulated 10 catches for 68 yards and one touchdown.

Halftime Score: Colorado 14, Colorado State 3

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – After a sluggish start, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders appears to have found his rhythm, propelling the Buffaloes to a 14-3 lead against Colorado State.

He led the Buffs down the field again, culminating in a touchdown catch by receiver LaJohntay Wester for a 34-yard gain over the middle with 58 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

There are seconds remaining in the first half.

After being unable to score in its initial three possessions, Colorado managed to assemble a second consecutive touchdown drive. This latest drive covered at least 84 yards and concluded with a touchdown catch by Wester, who transferred from Florida Atlantic. He has recorded three receptions for 55 yards, including two touchdowns.

By the end of the first half, Sanders completed 20 of 27 passes, accumulating 167 yards along with two touchdowns.

On the defensive end, the Colorado defense held Colorado State to just 1 out of 6 on third down conversions until the Rams’ last drive of the half, when they missed a 52-yard field goal attempt as time ran out.

Rams quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi completed 6 of 10 passes for 52 yards.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders praised the performance of his linemen on both offense and defense in a halftime interview with CBS. The Buffaloes have not permitted any quarterback sacks, a significant improvement given they allowed six in last week’s loss to Nebraska.

Colorado will receive the kickoff to start the second half.

Colorado 7, Colorado State 3: Buffaloes take first lead

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Colorado finally executed a solid scoring drive on its fourth possession, marching 85 yards over 12 plays, highlighted by a 4-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Shedeur Sanders to receiver LaJohntay Wester.

This touchdown came on a first-down slant in the end zone, giving the Buffaloes a 7-3 lead with 5:51 left in the first half.

Sanders’ performance includes 16 completed passes out of 20 attempts for 91 yards and a touchdown. So far, six receivers have caught passes from him, with Travis Hunter leading the pack with six receptions for 31 yards.

Justin Marshall injury

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Justin Marshall, a running back for Colorado State, exited the field with assistance after taking a hit to the head from Colorado linebacker LaVonta Bentley with 12:25 remaining in the second quarter. It’s uncertain whether he sustained a concussion, as he was lying on the field for some time during a break in play.

Before his injury, he rushed for 45 yards on eight carries.

Who is Colorado State kicker?

The kicker for Colorado State, Jordan Noyes, is one of the oldest players in college football—specifically, the second-oldest according to his university biography. At 32, this Englishman is a father of three and is in his fifth season of college football, having previously played at Utah. The Rams’ website mentions that Noyes also has a background in football, soccer, rugby, and gymnastics back in the U.K.

Colorado State 3, Colorado 0: End of first quarter

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — The first quarter concluded with Colorado State leading Colorado, 3-0. The Buffs missed a field goal and struggled offensively. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders completed 6 of 9 passes for 25 yards with a reshuffled offensive line. Freshman running back Micah Welch contributed 36 rushing yards on three carries.

Additionally, Colorado already incurred three penalties for 20 yards.

Colorado misses field goal

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Colorado kicker Alejandro Mata had a 44-yard field goal attempt that went wide right with 2:52 remaining in the first quarter, maintaining the Buffaloes’ deficit at 3-0 against Colorado State.

On a positive note, the Buffs have gained more rushing yards (36) in this game than they did last week against Nebraska (16). Freshman running back Micah Welch accounted for all these rushing yards on three carries, playing behind a newly arranged offensive line.

A notable adjustment for the Buffs is the new starting right tackle—Phillip Houston, a transfer from Florida International, who took over for Tyler Brown. Brown has moved to left guard in place of former starter Justin Mayers, a transfer from Texas-El Paso. Coach Deion Sanders had hinted at changes in the offensive line following the six sacks permitted last week against Nebraska.

Colorado State scores first

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Colorado State was the first to score, taking a 3-0 lead with a 25-yard field goal with 7:23 left in the first quarter.

Running back Justin Marshall was instrumental in the 48-yard drive, making two key runs. One was a 27-yard gain to the Colorado 28-yard line. He then dodged defenders on a third down, rushing left for an 11-yard gain, setting up a first down at the 8-yard line before quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi mishandled a snap and fell on the ball at the 14.

At this point, Colorado State has outgained Colorado 54 yards to just 2, although Colorado has only had one possession.

Deion Sanders makes grand entrance

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — As part of his pregame ritual, Deion Sanders usually takes a lap around the field’s perimeter well before kickoff. This Saturday, around 70 minutes before the game began, he emerged from the stadium tunnel dressed in gray sweatpants and headed directly across the end zone where Colorado State students shouted at him, some displaying a sign that read, “Coach past his Prime.” As Sanders walked along the sideline, the crowd joined in a chant: “(Expletive) CU,” echoing similar taunts from the previous week’s game at Nebraska.

College football schedule Week 3, Top 25

Friday

• No. 15 Kansas State 31, No. 18 Arizona 7

Saturday

• No. 1 Georgia at Kentucky, 7:30 p.m., ABC
• No. 3 Texas 56, UTSA 7
• No. 4 Alabama 42, Wisconsin 10
• No. 5 Ole Miss 40, Wake Forest 6
• No. 8 Missouri 27, Boston College 21
• No. 9 Tennessee vs. Kent State, 7:45 p.m., SEC Network
• No. 6 Oregon 49, Oregon State 14
• No. 12 Miami (Fla.) 62, Ball State 0
• No. 10 Utah 38, Utah State 21
• No. 14 Oklahoma State 45, Tulsa 10
• No. 13 Oklahoma 34, Tulane 19
• No. 17 LSU 36, South Carolina 33
• No. 16 Michigan 28, Arkansas State 18
• Notre Dame 66, Purdue 7
• No. 23 Nebraska vs. Northern Iowa, 7:30 p.m., BTN

What time does the Colorado-Colorado State game start?

The Colorado-Colorado State game is set to begin at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins at 7:30 p.m. ET this Saturday evening.

Where can I watch the Colorado-Colorado State game?

You can catch the Colorado-Colorado State game on CBS.

Injury news for Colorado: Shilo Sanders unavailable

The Buffaloes will miss their top tackler from the previous year, safety Shilo Sanders, along with their leading rusher this season, Dallan Hayden. After sustaining a forearm injury during the game against Nebraska, Sanders had surgery and is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks, as noted by his father and coach, Deion Sanders. Hayden, who has 52 rushing yards this season, is also likely out for Saturday due to an undisclosed injury, according to Deion Sanders.

Sophomore safety Carter Stoutmire is anticipated to step in for Shilo Sanders, having started one game as a freshman in 2023. The Buffaloes have multiple options at running back, including freshman Micah Welch, former walk-on Charlie Offerdahl, and Isaiah Augustave, a transfer from Arkansas.

What is the future schedule for Colorado vs. Colorado State?

The two teams will not face each other again until 2029 but are slated to play six games from then until 2038, as per Colorado’s upcoming schedule. Three of these future matchups are planned to take place in Boulder, while the other three will occur in Fort Collins, differing from the recent trend where games were held only in Denver or Boulder.

Colorado currently leads the all-time series with a record of 68-22-2. Since the rivalry resumed in 1983 after a lengthy break, the game has occurred in Fort Collins just three times out of 33 games played — specifically in 1987, 1988, and 1996, all of which were victories for Colorado. The Buffaloes have remained unbeaten in Fort Collins since 1955.

Colorado vs. Colorado State: It’s ‘personal’ again

Coach Deion Sanders made it a point this week to show his players a video featuring two Colorado State players making bold comments in an interview that circulated shortly before the game. Although many believed the interview was recorded during the week of the game, it was actually filmed earlier, on August 14, as confirmed by CSU to YSL News Sports.

In the interview, CSU quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi remarked on the attention surrounding the Buffaloes due to Coach Sanders and recounted how CSU nearly defeated CU last year, losing in overtime 43-35 after leading by 11 points in the fourth quarter.

“This shows that the hype and media buzz can only take you so far,” Fowler-Nicolosi stated on August 14.

He also commented, “We’ll see how much their Instagram follows matter.”

CSU receiver Tory Horton added that the Rams are seeking to avenge their loss, stating, “We owe them one,” and “We should have taken them down.”

Commenting on these statements during the Colorado Football Coaches Show on Thursday, Coach Sanders said, “It makes things personal again.”

He confirmed that he indeed shared these comments with his team. The rivalry had already been ‘personal’ last year when CSU coach Jay Norvell made a derogatory remark regarding Sanders’s penchant for wearing sunglasses and hats around “grown-ups.”