Colorado secured a 34-23 victory over Cincinnati on Saturday night, with Shedeur Sanders leading the charge. Sanders showcased his skills by throwing two touchdown passes to Travis Hunter and adding a rushing touchdown. Despite battling the flu, Sanders completed an impressive 25 of 30 passes for 323 yards, setting a program record by completing his first 15 passes.
Hunter was instrumental in the win, amassing nine catches for 153 yards, including a crucial 34-yard touchdown reception just before halftime. Defensively, Hunter also made an impact by breaking up four passes.
Colorado coach Deion Sanders praised Hunter as the best football player in the country, emphasizing his team's confidence in his abilities. The victory against Cincinnati made Colorado bowl-eligible for the first time since 2016, marking a significant achievement for the program under Sanders' leadership.
Following the win, Sanders expressed his commitment to ensuring the team's super-fan, Peggy Coppom, who turns 100 next month, attends the best possible bowl game. The Buffaloes' 6-2 record positions them well for a potential appearance in the polls, although Sanders humorously requested not to be ranked.
The game saw a momentum shift just before halftime when Colorado's defense stopped Cincinnati on a crucial fourth-and-1 play, leading to a Hunter touchdown reception. Despite some unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, the Buffaloes maintained their composure and secured the win.
Looking ahead, Cincinnati will enjoy a week off before facing West Virginia, while Colorado will have a bye week before taking on Texas Tech. The game showcased Colorado's balanced performance, with solid offensive and defensive contributions leading to a well-deserved victory.
