Game headlines
- Keeler: If Deion Sanders, CU Buffs play Nebraska like they did North Dakota State, Cornhuskers might run ’em out of Lincoln
- CU Buffs Four Downs: Travis Hunter drops jaws, breaks ankles and dominates as receiver in victory
FINAL: CU 31, NDSU 26
The Buffs escape after the Bison complete a ball inside the CU 10-yard line but run out of time. The Buffs did so many things to give this away, including inexplicably throwing the ball when they could salt the game away. But the Bison just could not take it. A win is a win. But the Buffs will need better next week in Lincoln.
(9:19 p.m.): NDSU near midfield with nine seconds left… — Matt Schubert
(9:15 p.m.): Not sure why CU threw ball on first down. Stopped the clock. CU fails to convert on third down. NDSU will get ball back. Again, made no sense to throw on first down. — Troy Renck
(9:13 p.m.): Kids if you are going to play corner, turn your head and find the ball. Great instincts by Shedeur Sanders to let it fly to draw the interference. — Troy Renck
Can someone please explain why CU wasn’t kneeling on the ball there? — Matt Schubert
(9:11 p.m.): Really smart play by Shedeur Sanders on third down. There was no way that was going to be anything but a completion or pass interference. And that’s game. — Matt Schubert
(9:06 p.m.): The question now: Does CU try to put this away on the ground? Or do they not trust their run game yet? — Matt Schubert
There’s your reminder that college football now has a two-minute warning. — Matt Schubert
(9:03 p.m.): And the Bison opt to kick away. Interesting choice there. 2:19 is a fair amount of time, but not THAT much time. — Matt Schubert
(9:01 p.m.): NDSU won’t go gently into the night. Bison QB with long run for score. But two-point conversion fails. CU Buffs lead 31-26 with 2:19 remaining in the game. — Troy Renck
Cam Miller’s 20-yard touchdown run brings the score within five after a failed two-point conversion. Bison have two timeouts. Onside or no, CU probably has to get a first down on offense to salt away the game. — Matt Schubert
Looks like the Buffs are going to have to make one more play to put this away. — Matt Schubert
(8:59 p.m.): Welp, we continue. First down, Bison — Matt Schubert
(8:55 p.m.): This has been a fantastic performance from the CU defense in the second half. Answered the bell in a big way. If you were worried after one half, you now have reason for hope. Fantastic adjustments by defensive coordinator Robert Livingston and Co. Fourth down stop here and this game will be over. — Matt Schubert
(8:53 p.m.): They can’t guard him. I would call this the Travis Hunter Game. But I think he played better vs. TCU last year. But this game is driving home the point that his future in the NFL might be as a wide receiver. He is having Heisman moments. It was a 17-play, 80-yard drive. Buffs lead 31-20 with 7:57 left. Hunter has 7 catches for 132 yards and 3 TDs — Troy Renck
(8:50 p.m.): Guess who? Travis Hunter, again. One-on-one, again. Touchdown, again. This time while getting bowled over by the defensive back. Call me crazy, but I think he’s an NFL receiver. CU 31, NDSU 20 w/ 7:57 to go. — Matt Schubert
(8:46 p.m.): Just about the perfect drive from CU. Chew up some clock, pile up first downs. Now they just have to finish inside the 10. — Matt Schubert
THIRD QUARTER THOUGHTS
Matt Schubert, sports editor: The CU defense came to play in the second half. NDSU missed its chance at the end of the first half, and Shedeur Sanders is about to put the nail in the Bison’s coffin.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Third quarter takeaway: NDSU might be out of tricks. Can CU run a four-minute offense and put the underdogs away? You wonder. The Buffs are largely as we left them. The real tests await.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: CU leads 24-20 after 3. Shedeur Sanders is 18 for 23 for 381 yards and three TDS. Last year he threw for 510 yards and 4 TDs in the opening win at TCU. Joe Horn also has 191 yards receiving. His other 100-yard game was in the opener a year ago.
(8:23 p.m.): CU’s defense has much better in second half. Caught a break on delay of game penalty on backup QB that negated a first down run. But they are swarming, and much better at line of scrimmage in third quarter. — Troy Renck
A delay of game penalty on third down stops the Bison in their tracks. Feels like CU can put this game to bed with a touchdown here. — Matt Schubert
Legendary
100 Career Passing Touchdowns for Shedeur Sanders#GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/4One9IzFkx
— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) August 30, 2024
You can't guard Travis Hunter🤧
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 30, 2024
(8:11 p.m.): Shedeur’s 100th TD pass as a collegian goes to Travis Hunter on a finger-tip catch. Because of course it does. — Sean Keeler
(8:09 p.m.): Again, Travis Hunter in single coverage. Again the Buffs take advantage. A fantastic play fake from Shedeur Sanders sets up a 13-yard touchdown. CU 24, NDSU 20 with 7:45 left in the third. — Matt Schubert
That sorta looked like a Wake Forest-style mesh play from Shedeur Sanders on the play fake. One thing that’s true: As bad as things have been for the Buffs, they are up four. Feels like NDSU missed its chance. — Matt Schubert
(8:08 p.m.): ANOTHER chunk play for CU. These receivers are getting a ton of separation. — Matt Schubert
(8:03 p.m.): The CU defense gets a three-and-out with Chidozie Nwankwo getting the sack. Good gravy did the Buffs need that. Two possessions, no points for anyone. — Matt Schubert
(8:01 p.m.): That ball hit the defender in the CALF. Absolutely awful luck for the Buffs. An interception in the end zone and the Buffs get no points. Matt Schubert
That was one strange interception. Does defender get PBU for redirecting ball off his calf? pic.twitter.com/Sjodq85jkq
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 30, 2024
(7:58 p.m.): Hunter ain’t fair. — Sean Keeler
Warning to NDSU: Don’t cover Travis Hunter one-on-one. A 40-yard fade has the Buffs knocking on the door to start the third quarter. — Matt Schubert
Travis Hunter would be the Broncos’ best playmaker right now. — Troy Renck
HALFTIME THOUGHTS
Matt Schubert, sports editor: If it wasn’t apparent after four possessions, it is now. The Buffs are in for a dogfight. Given the offensive line struggles, secondary struggles and flags, a three-point deficit at halftime isn’t all that bad. Throw in the fact that CU gets the ball to start the third quarter, and this game could turn quick.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Shedeur Sanders is 12-for-15 for 254 yards and 2 TDs going into half. Receivers are legit. But Oline and Dline haven’t soothed lingering concerns from last season yet. NDSU 20, CU 17 at half. Buffs have allowed 242 yards, 160 through the air. Buffs have 273 yards through the air and 19 rushing. NDSU leads time of possession: 21:49 to 8:11. CU’s defense has to get off the field.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: If the Bison go up double digits, the Buffs are in trouble. Problem: Have a hard time NDSU going up double digits. CU last fall was outscored in the third by an average of 9-4 last fall. Gonna be some nervous looks if that’s the case here.
(7:54 p.m.): A nice moment at halftime for former Buff Derrick White, who in the last four months has won an NBA title and a gold medal. — Matt Schubert
(7:35 p.m.): Just an eight-play, 89-yard drive that was pretty much all Shedeur Sanders doing amazing things. Gutty drive ends in a much needed field goal. NDSU 20, CU 17 at halftime. — Matt Schubert
(7:33 p.m.): Shedeur is taking A LOT of hits. — Matt Schubert
(7:31 p.m.): Shedeur Sanders is a magician. On second down, he scrambles, plants and fires a strike for a first down. It takes a lot of courage to make that throw knowing a hit is coming. — Matt Schubert
(7:26 p.m.): Goes against their DNA, but I wondered if NDSU would go for it just to prevent a CU possession. But great punt. CU takes over at 2-yard line with 54 seconds left. Buffs looking for 2-for-1. Score here and get ball coming out of halftime. — Troy Renck
(7:22 p.m.): Force an NDSU punt here, and the Buffs can right the ship pretty easily. Give up points and you’re signing up for a four-quarter game. — Matt Schubert
The Buffs defense is going to get off the field. Solid third-and-short stop. Troy is saying NDSU should go for it. They will not. — Matt Schubert
Let’s see, less than a minute to go, ball inside the Buffs 5 and Shedeur Sanders jogs out on the field. I’ve seen this before. — Matt Schubert
(7:16 p.m.) New offensive line? Meh. New DC? Very, very, very, meh. Shurmur? Keep that pencil handy. — SK
OK, it’s time to start getting worried folks. The same offensive line struggles have emerged and the Buffs have now been shut out on back-to-back possessions. The CU defense really needs to get off the field here. You do not want a two-possession game going into halftime. — Matt Schubert
First punt of the game comes with 3:29 left in the half. — Troy Renck
(7:10 p.m.): Your time of possession stats with 4:33 left in the second quarter…
NDSU: 14:27
Colorado: 5:24
But remember, the Buffs get the ball to start the second half. Score a TD here and all is right in Boulder. — Matt Schubert
(7:09 p.m.): Bison get too cute on second down and the Buffs are there to sniff it out. Third and goal from the 20 doesn’t get it done for NDSU, and the CU defense holds. Massive stop from B.J. Green on the second-down reverse. NDSU 20, CU 14 w/ 4:33 left. — Matt Schubert
CU Buffs defense holds NDSU to a field goal. It’s 20-14 Bison. This is why NDSU in dangerous. CU has had 3 possessions with a little over 4 minutes left in half. They are a quick strike team. So that helps. But this when game gets greasy if CU defense cannot start getting off the field. — Troy Renck
(7:06 p.m.): NDSU going the wrong direction with penalties. — Matt Schubert
(7:04 p.m.): ANOTHER terrible penalty on third down. — Matt Schubert
Shilo Sanders is NDSU’s offensive MVP. — SK
That’s Shilo Sanders with a late hit. And, let’s face it, that was pretty bang, bang. — Matt Schubert
(7:00 p.m.): That’s the sort of sequence the CU Buffs offensive line absolutely HAS to win if this team is going to make big noise this season. — Matt Schubert
I am all for CU running the ball to create balance. But four straight? Really? If know going for it on fourth, be creative on third-and-2. Also, I hate QBs not taking snap under center on short yardage like that. CU Buffs turn ball over on downs to a NDSU offense that has scored on every possession. — Troy Renck
(6:59 p.m.): Four straight runs, and the Buffs fall inches short of a first down. BIG SEQUENCE coming. — Matt Schubert
And somewhere, Sean Lewis kicks his feet up and laughs. — SK
(6:57 p.m.): NDSU schemes stuff well. They use motion to bring coverage DBs across the line of scrimmage into traffic. They fake power that sucks in linebackers. They are a handful because of their versatility on ground and through air. But some CU defenders need to stop falling for banana in tailpipe. Gotta have better containment. — Troy Renck
(6:54 p.m.): Somewhere, Charles Kelly kicks his feet up, watches the TV, and laughs. — SK
Another methodical drive. CU is not getting off the field on third-and-long, and that’s obviously a problem. This secondary has some things to figure out. NDSU 17, CU 14 w/ 12:07 left in the 2nd. — Matt Schubert
How many plays will it take CU to score the next TD? I’m setting the over-under at 3.5. — Matt Schubert
(6:50 p.m.): Is there another QB in country whose hit song plays after TDs? Shedeur Sanders has that going for him with “Perfect Timing” after scores. — Troy Renck
Two penalties from the CU defense on this drive. Lining up offside. That just cannot happen. — Matt Schubert
FIRST QUARTER THOUGHTS
Matt Schubert, sports editor: The CU secondary is in shambles, and the CU wide receiver room is going to win 1000 Heisman Trophies.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: NDSU is me vs. the CPU. CU is the CPU and I cannot, CANNOT, give them the ball back. Ever. — SK
(6:40 p.m.): The CU run defense looks pretty competent from the press box. It’s whether or not this secondary can hold up. — Matt Schubert
(6:38 p.m.): NDSU basically needs a 17-minute drive. Several of them, now that you mention it. — SK
SHEDEUR TO JIMMY HORN JR. FOR A 69-YARD TOUCHDOWN 😱 pic.twitter.com/0obguiDY6K
— ESPN (@espn) August 30, 2024
(6:37 p.m.): CU can do this … All. Day. Long. Two plays, Jimmy Horn Jr. goes 69 yards on a post route. The pass rush almost got home for the Bison. That’s probably the only chance they have of stopping the Buffs. And it ain’t much of one. CU 14, NDSU 10, w/ 3:15 left in the 1st Q. — Matt Schubert
This game is basically EA College Football 25 come to life. And away we go. CU 14, NDSU 10. 69-yard TD to Jimmy Horn Jr. — SK
Dallan Hayden runs for 5 yards in first carry. He should be the starter. He has NFL future. Then on next play, he picks up blitz on Sanders’ 69-yard TD to Horn. Buffs lead 14-10. Hayden is X-factor for this offense to achieve balance. Welcome to the track meet. — Troy Renck
(6:32 p.m.): NDSU can’t stop Shedeur Sanders. But the Bison are having way too much fun going at Shilo right now. — SK
NDSU, known for running the ball, chucked it all over the place on that drive. If you were hoping the CU secondary improved over the offseason, early returns aren’t great. — Matt Schubert
(6:31 p.m.): ND State is not going to flinch. They have played in nothing but big games in their recent history. They leaned on the tight end on that drive, a 10-play, 75 yards, 5:52 off the clock. Not sure Bison can stop the Buffs.. But can the Buffs stop the Bison? Buckle up. — Troy Renck
Scouts’ corner inside the press box at Folsom is standing room only. And buzzing. BUZ-ZING. — SK
(6:28 p.m.): A lot of in-breaking routes on that drive. Remember when the Buffs couldn’t cover a shallow cross last fall? This might be the route de jour for opponents this season. — Matt Schubert
Fun fact: Jordan Seaton is the first freshman to start for CU in program history. — Matt Schubert
(6:27 p.m.): NDSU tight end is all by himself at the goal line. A methodical drive from the Bison. If you took the over, you have to love the start of this game. NDSU 10, CU 7 w/ 3:59 left in the 1st Q — Matt Schubert
(See?) — SK
(6:25 p.m.): NDSU needs to keep finding the tight end and take it easy on the designed QB runs. — SK
(6:17 p.m.): Travis Hunter is just different. Catches ball in flat. Ducks under tackle and disappears for 41-yard TD. There is a reason he’s a projected top 10 pick. I thought last year his best position in pros was at CB. Not sure anymore. A little worried about his build at the next level, in terms of taking punishment. But he would be #Broncos best playmaker if on the team right now. — Troy Renck
Little Birdie batting 1.000. Buffs zip-zip-zip down the field the other way, thanks to a 15-yard Wester catch and Travis Hunter in single coverage, which is asking for trouble. Bison got it, as he broke one tackle and took it 41 yards to the house. CU 7, NDSU 3. — SK
SHEDEUR SANDERS TO TRAVIS HUNTER FOR SIX 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Kbl5F95luX
— ESPN (@espn) August 30, 2024
(6:16 p.m.): Travis Hunter one-on-one in space. NDSU has nobody who can deal with that. One guy whiffs and that’s a 41-yard touchdown. CU 7, NDSU 3, w/ 9:31 left in the 1st. — Matt Schubert
(6:15 p.m.): Buffs have ripped off back-to-back 5-yard runs. This is exactly what you want to see if you’re CU. — Matt Schubert
(6:15 p.m.): Buffs have ripped off back-to-back 5-yard runs. This is exactly what you want to see if you’re CU. — Matt Schubert
(6:12 p.m.): ND State 3-0 on Griffin Cosa 36-yard field goal. Strange call on third-and-4.. By strange. I mean bad. Gotta win with TDs not field goals on the road. — Troy Renck
(6:12 p.m.): Little birdie was right. Going right at the CU’s belly. Buffs allow one explosion play, then stiffen up to slow down NDSU’s drive in the RZ. 3-0, Bison. — SK
(6:11 p.m.): One big play, and the CU defense holds in the red zone. NDSU 3, CU 0 w/ 12:12 left in the first quarter. All things considered, it could’ve been much, much worse for the Buffs. — Matt Schubert
(6:09 p.m.): Welp, we told you NDSU was no patsy. LB can’t cover and now the Bison are threatening. — Matt Schubert
(6:04 p.m.): Ralphie rocks. But even SHE’S not feeling it tonight. Made it to about the 45, did a tame turn, and then BOOKED it to the trailer. Saving it for Baylor. — SK
(6:04 p.m.): Run Ralphie Run. More like Jog Ralphie Jog. At her current size and endurance, she is more adorable than powerful. — Troy Renck
Game predictions
Matt Schubert, spots editor: It’s a late-arriving crowd to Boulder, confirming what we already knew: It’s a really bad idea to schedule a Bufffs game at 6 p.m. on a Thursday. Ultimately, it won’t matter. Colorado 38, North Dakota State 27
Troy Renck, sports columnist: The Buffs possess a talent edge, and will get nitromethane fuel boost from the rowdy crowd. All eyes will be on the bodyguards for quarterback Shedur Sanders. Will they keep him upright? Will CU commit to the run to provide the offensive line help against a relentless rush? The Bison will look to shorten the game with a physical ground attack, the blueprint Georgia Tech followed in tripping up Florida State last Saturday. In the end, it will be greasy, but not an upset. Colorado 33, NDSU 25
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Plenty of seats available, kids. Can’t promise how good those seats are, mind you. Students swarmed in en masse at about 5:25 local time. Imagine, given Thursday rush hour on I-25 and the Turnpike, we’ve probably got a “Dodgers crowd” situation. We’ll see if the Buffs give them enough cause to leave early, too. Still think we’ve got a Bison cover, and a Shedeur drive late to win it. Colorado 35, NDSU 28
Pre-game updates
Diamond vision (6 p.m.): Thoughts on new scoreboard in the south end zone: Definitely bigger and better. — Matt Schubert
On the Hunt-er (5:58 p.m.): We’re about to get us some fully healthy Travis Hunter football. Buckle up, this is going to fun. — Matt Schubert
Little Fargo birdie tells me (paraphrasing) 5:57 p.m.: Locals have some worry about the NDSU secondary’s ability to cover … well, just about everybody in a CU jersey running routes. The Buffs’ new OL? Let’s just say they’re much, much, much less worried. We’ll see. — SK
All Blacks (5:50 p.m.): Call me crazy, but I would NEVER ditch the gold helmets if I were CU. They are just too good. That said, these all-black uniforms were definitely not geared toward middle-aged dopes like myself. — Matt Schubert
Upper deck open (5:48 p.m.): At the very least, the students have shown up (as they always do). I have a sneaking suspicion this will not end up as a sellout — a first in the Prime Era for CU. But don’t take that as an indictment. It’s just really hard to fill this stadium on an early evening weekday game. — Matt Schubert
New threads 👀#GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/HlM50gijyO
— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) August 29, 2024
Take a closer look 🥶#GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/ILzT6MSXzm
— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) August 29, 2024
It's finally game day!
We're starting the season welcoming some future Buffs!💛🖤
Chief Jokerst and Deputy Chief Heyart hope everyone has a safe and fun evening at Folsom Field!#gobuffs pic.twitter.com/qyz5MTT3Fg— CU Boulder Police (@CUBoulderPolice) August 29, 2024
CU Buffs vs. Nebraska: Must reads
CU Buffs QB Shedeur Sanders enters senior season with potential to leave historic legacy
For Shedeur Sanders, last year stood as a convincing opening statement.
The quarterback started with a record-setting performance in an upset road win against TCU. A couple of weeks after that, he led a last-second, 98-yard TD drive to eventually beat rival CSU in double OT. And even when CU’s wheels fell off, he still showed mettle, flashed several well-timed watch-flexes and played hurt, until he couldn’t anymore.
Now, it’s time for Sanders’ closing arguments in black and gold starting with Thursday’s opener against North Dakota State at Folsom Field. And if the team plays better around the senior this fall, it could be historic.
“If (the offensive line) can protect him, this young man may put up one of the great seasons in college football history,” predicted CU play-by-play man Mark Johnson. “(Darian) Hagan is at the top as national champ, and Kordell (Stewart) is up there too, but Shedeur is going to put himself in the conversation as the greatest Colorado quarterback if he has another season like he did last year.”
Sanders, who missed the final six quarters of 2023 with a back fracture, is healthy again. The Buffs retooled their offensive line with transfers and the top high school left tackle in the nation, Jordan Seaton. Read more…
Mark Johnson, beginning third decade as voice of CU Buffs football, talks rodeo injury and faith
Mark Johnson is back in the booth for his third decade as CU’s play-by-play man, but it’ll be a while until he’s back in the saddle.
The cowboy who wears many hats as a broadcaster, outdoorsman and minister fractured his pelvis a month ago in an injury during team roping practice. The incident came on July 30, Johnson’s 57th birthday, and he’s been slowly rehabilitating since.
“The saddle horn hit my pelvic bone and popped my pelvis,” Johnson said. “They call it the open book — it just popped wide open. My first thought was, ‘That didn’t feel good.’ My second thought was, ‘I’ve lost my legs,’ which meant I couldn’t ride because I couldn’t squeeze the horse anymore. So I pushed myself off, went down, and broke some ribs on my right side.”
Johnson is now back on his feet, albeit with the aid of a walker or crutches. He has titanium screws and a plate in his pelvis, and doctors tell him it’ll be another few weeks before he can walk by himself, four months before he can get back on a horse, and about 10 months until he can go back to team roping. Read more…
Keeler: Deion Sanders’ CU Buffs look smart. Tough. Fast. But are they disciplined?
BOULDER — The old guard wasn’t worried about the Mid 12. Or the Nebraska trip. Or CSU and all those old wounds. Deion Sanders was eight points away from 6-6. Have the Buffs learned how to get out of their own way?
“If their penalty problems have been resolved, that, to me, is even more important than it was last year,” FOX Sports analyst and former NFL lineman Geoff Schwarz said of the Buffs, who open their season Thursday night at Folsom Field against plucky North Dakota State.
“So that’s always the (concern), I think, for college programs like CU. But it takes time. Especially because Deion hasn’t been a coach for a long time.”
Fine margins matter. Little things matter. You know what doesn’t get talked about nearly enough in CU circles? Last fall’s self-inflicted wounds. The correctable stuff. The coachable stuff. Read more…
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