Colorado responds to week of ‘disrespect’ with Travis Hunter-led rout of Colorado State

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 group 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 wished to “see how far Instagram followers will get them.” Fowler-Nicolosi and Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders appeared to alternate 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 will be a bit private. … I simply pray that our youngsters would by no means act in that matter trigger y’all would have a discipline 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, conserving the Centennial Cup in Boulder.

“Them Instagram followers obtained us far at present, ya heard?” Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter mentioned in a dwell video posted to social media.

In addition 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 properly 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 children to do 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 go 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 essential of the offensive line’s play per week in the past in opposition to Nebraska’s defensive entrance, each in defending Colorado’s quarterback and in struggling to ascertain a working recreation.

Deion Sanders warned {that a} shakeup may very well be coming, and it was. The Buffaloes benched UTEP switch Justin Mayers and moved Florida Worldwide switch Phillip Houston to beginning proper deal with. In addition they moved Tyler Brown from proper deal with to left guard. 5-star freshman Jordan Seaton remained at left deal with, and Hank Zilinskas (middle) and Khalil Benson (proper guard) stayed of their spots.

The consequence? Sanders had extra time and higher safety than he’s had all season, albeit in opposition to a Colorado State protection that ranked eighty fifth nationally in tackles for loss and 118th in sacks with only one by way of 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 need to line ’em up and kiss all of ’em. I like ’em to life.”

For the second time below 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, one in every 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 every thing for us to go show the world flawed,” Brown mentioned.

(Picture: Andrew Wevers / Getty Pictures)