Deion Sanders and the Colorado football team traveled to Texas Tech on Saturday looking for their third straight win.
After a scoreless first quarter, the No. 20-ranked Buffaloes (7-2, 5-1 Big 12) settled in to earn a 41-27 win over the Red Raiders.
Here are five takeaways from Colorado’s win in Lubbock:
Colorado football overcomes slow start
A fast start was one of the keys to a Colorado win vs. Texas Tech, but the Buffs reverted back to old ways on Saturday in Lubbock.
The Red Raiders ran the opening kickoff into Colorado territory and scored four plays later to take a 7-0 lead just over a minute into the game. It was the first opening-drive touchdown the Buffs have allowed since Week 2 vs. Nebraska.
Shedeur Sanders and the Colorado offense also had a rough opening sequence, punting on their first four possessions of the game, including three-and-outs on back-to-back drives.
Despite trailing 13-0 after the first quarter (just one offensive first down at that point), Colorado was able to bounce back from another slow start.
Colorado’s defense keeps Buffs afloat
While the Buffs’ offense sputtered early on, their defense settled in after allowing an opening-drive touchdown.
Colorado forced Texas Tech to settle for field goals on back-to-back drives, preventing the Red Raiders from building a two- or three-touchdown lead. The Buffs then held Texas Tech to 3-and-outs on back-to-back possessions while their offense got going.
On the next drive, Colorado found the end zone for the first time all day midway through the second quarter. It was all Buffs from that point on.
Shedeur Sanders, Buffs’ offense comes alive in second half
After a quiet, 10-point first half, the Colorado offense began to show its true colors.
The Buffs began the second half by scoring touchdowns on three straight possessions.
Shedeur Sanders (307 total yards, four total touchdowns) got the second-half party started by rushing for a seven-yard touchdown early in the third quarter. Will Sheppard (79 yards on eight catches) made a spectacular, one-handed catch in the end zone on the following possession before Travis Hunter (99 yards on nine catches) took a screen pass 24 yards to paydirt.
The 21-point third quarter gave Colorado the push it needed to win its third straight game.
LaJohntay Wester continues to ball out
The Buffs needed a spark after each of their first four offensive possessions ended in punts.
Per usual, LaJohntay Wester was up for the challenge.
The FAU transfer got Colorado football on the board by tight-roping the sideline for a 24-yard touchdown catch and run.
Speeeeeeeed @la_wester
— Colorado Buffaloes (@CUBuffs) November 9, 2024
Wester (82 yards on six catches) now has a TD or 100 receiving yards in seven of the last eight games and has caught 24 of his last 26 targets from Shedeur Sanders.
Hunter and Wester are the first pair of Colorado football players with eight-plus TD receptions in a season.
Colorado football gets help from Iowa State, Kansas
The Buffs received a bunch of help in their quest for a Big 12 championship game appearance last week while on a bye, and they got even more on Saturday night.
Iowa State’s 45-36 loss to Kansas gives Colorado sole possession of second place in the Big 12.
Next up for the Buffs is Utah. Kickoff from Folsom Field is at 10:00 a.m. MT on FOX.
Follow Colorado Buffaloes beat reporter Scott Procter on X.