Travis Hunter recorded two touchdowns and contributed an interception in Colorado's 28-9 victory against Colorado State.

Colorado returned to form with a decisive 28-9 victory over Colorado State on Saturday. Shedeur Sanders connected on two touchdown passes to Travis Hunter, while Colorado State committed four turnovers. The Buffs (2-1) held a 14-3 advantage at halftime, bolstered by two touchdown passes to LaJohntay Wester, and maintained control in the second half as Hunter extended the lead. Nevertheless, there are still concerns regarding the Buffaloes' performance. While Colorado demonstrated effectiveness in their running game, they appeared more inclined to pass. Micah Welch recorded a 25-yard run, contributing to a total of 109 rushing yards for the Buffs. However, the team only attempted 19 rushes compared to Sanders' 49 passing attempts. Although Sanders was not officially sacked by the Rams, the offensive line remains a significant area needing improvement. This may not pose a challenge against teams like Colorado State, but it could become problematic during conference play if enhancements are not made.

In the second half, Colorado State quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi committed a significant error by throwing an interception that enabled Colorado to increase their lead to three touchdowns. With the Buffaloes ahead 14-3 in the third quarter, Fowler-Nicolosi made an ill-advised throw across his body into the center of the field, where Preston Hodge was positioned to make the interception. Shortly thereafter, Hunter scored his first touchdown of the game. Additionally, Hunter intercepted Fowler-Nicolosi again late in the third quarter on a fourth down play, which also resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against him. He later secured a second receiving touchdown before the quarter concluded. Quarterback Sanders completed 36 of 49 passes for a total of 310 yards, with Hunter receiving 13 of those completions for 100 yards. Wester contributed with five receptions totaling 80 yards. Colorado is set to commence Big 12 competition in Week 4 with a home matchup against Baylor, followed by an away game at UCF. Meanwhile, Colorado State (1-2) will host UTEP next week for their final non-conference game of the season before entering Mountain West play.

Deion Sanders Addresses CSU Following Colorado's Victory: 'The Disrespect Was Unjustified’.

Colorado's head coach, Deion Sanders, expressed that Colorado State exhibited "disrespect" towards his program in the lead-up to Saturday night's rivalry match. Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders, along with two-way standout Travis Hunter, responded effectively, guiding their team to a 28-9 victory on the road. "It was a wonderful game. A personal game. A heartfelt game. An emotional game. They kind of made it that way," Sanders remarked following the win, as reported by DNVR's Jake Schwanitz. "The disrespect shown during the week was unwarranted. We understood that this game would carry a personal significance. I sincerely hope our players would never behave in such a manner, as it would certainly attract attention." He added, "It was a tremendous victory. The offensive line performed exceptionally well, and the defense continued its strong performance from the second half of the previous game." In the week prior to the match, CBS News Colorado's Romi Bean highlighted an interview from Colorado State's media day, where quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi and wide receiver Tory Horton made remarks directed at their in-state opponents.

The players from the Rams drew comparisons to last year's encounter between Colorado and Colorado State, where the Buffaloes needed double overtime to secure a narrow victory at home. "They approached the game with a certain mindset, believing it would be an easy win," Fowler-Nicolosi remarked to CBS News Colorado regarding the 2023 contest (transcription h/t Fox Sports). "They experienced a harsh reality check very quickly. This illustrates that the excitement generated by media and hype has its limits. Ultimately, it comes down to matching our 11 players against their 11, and we will determine who truly desires victory. We will see how much their social media following contributes to their success."

Horton remarked that the vast number of followers and supporters, along with the celebrities who aligned themselves with Deion Sanders, is a testament to his influence. Ultimately, it is the players who are on the field, and they must deliver on their promises. Following the victory, Sanders expressed satisfaction with his team's reaction to the remarks made by the Colorado State players, although he noted that the Buffaloes were disappointed to have allowed the Rams to score a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Despite this, Colorado secured what is considered their most significant win of the season, following a narrow victory against North Dakota State and a defeat to their rival Nebraska the previous week. Sanders now aims to build on this momentum as they prepare for their home game against Baylor next Saturday.