Buffaloes Kick Off Season with Win Over North Dakota State in Boulder
It was an electric night in Boulder as the Colorado Buffaloes kicked off their college football season. They managed to pull off a 31-26 victory against the tough North Dakota State Bison. The game featured some jaw-dropping moments, especially from Coloradoโs star players, who were the talk of the town after the final whistle.
Shedeur Sanders Shines as Quarterback
Letโs start with the big guy, Shedeur Sanders. The Buffaloesโ quarterback showed off some serious skills by throwing for a whopping 445 yards on just 34 pass attempts. Talk about efficiency! He was connecting well with his receivers, and it was fun to watch. His arm was dishing out pinpoint passes, but heโs still got some work to do with the offensive line. Although big upgrades were made during the offseason, itโs clear they havenโt fully clicked yet. Sanders has been sacked way too many times in past seasons, and one game isnโt going to solve that problem overnight.
Travis Hunter Takes Center Stage
But it wasnโt just Sanders stealing the show. Travis Hunter wowed the crowd with his versatility, playing nearly the entire game as both a cornerback and wide receiver. He made his presence felt on the offensive end, snagging seven catches for 132 yards and scoring three touchdowns. His second and third touchdowns were complete game-changers, with the first being a crucial 13-yard catch that pushed the Buffs into a lead late in the third quarter. But it was his **ridiculous catch** midway through the fourth that really affirmed his status as possibly the most dynamic player in college football.
Hunter is a five-star recruit who excels not just at catching passes but also on defense. He is a rarity in football, playing both sides of the ball effectively. Itโs no wonder NFL scouts are already whispering about him being a first-round pick if he were to play only one position.
Nail-Biting Moments in the Fourth Quarter
As thrilling as the game was, it wasnโt without some heart-stopping moments. With just under 2 minutes left, the Bisonโs quarterback, Cam Miller, closed the gap to a mere five points. The Buffaloes needed a first down to seal the victory. They were in a tough spot but lucked out when North Dakota committed a pass interference penalty. However, instead of running down the clock, the Buffaloes made a puzzling choice to throw the ball on the next play, which resulted in an incomplete pass. Talk about a head-scratcher!
That mistake handed the Bison one last chance with less than 40 seconds on the clock. A Hail Mary attempt landed just five yards shy of the end zone. Letโs just say that Colorado fansโ hearts were racing until the very end. While they got the win, it wasnโt necessarily a game that screamed โBig 12 title contendersโ for the Buffaloes.
Next Up: A Tough Test Against Nebraska
Looking ahead, Colorado has a challenging match against Nebraska. The Cornhuskers are expected to be significantly stronger this season, especially with their freshman quarterback, Dylan Raiola. The atmosphere in Lincoln will likely be intense, and itโll be a true test for the Buffaloes.
This opening win wasnโt perfect, but it did prevent an embarrassing start to the season. Colorado is going to need more than just Sanders and Hunter if they want to make some noise this year. If they canโt balance out their offensive game plan, their high-powered offense may struggle against tougher opponents in the Big 12.
Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the areaโwith deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
