The Colorado football team was looking to cap off its special season with a bowl win for the first time since 2004.
BYU wouldn’t allow it, beating the Buffaloes 36-14 in the 2024 Alamo Bowl.
Here are three takeaways from Colorado’s season finale:
Colorado football unable to overcome slow start
It was a nightmare start to the Alamo Bowl for Deion Sanders and the Buffs.
After forcing a BYU three-and-out on the game’s opening possession, Colorado turned the ball over on downs (failed 4th and 1 attempt). That was just the beginning of a disastrous first half.
Not even a pair of first-half interceptions (by DJ McKinney and Anquin Barnes) could help the Buffs on Saturday. The Colorado football team had just three first downs and 61 total yards of offense through two quarters. Those 61 yards nearly matched the Buffs’ 50 penalty yards in the first half.
The offensive line struggled all day, allowing Shedeur Sanders to get hit multiple times and the running game to once again be non-existent (-9 rushing yards in first half). The defense looked like a unit missing a couple of starters (Nikhai Hill-Green and Preston Hodge).
Special teams were not special
Then, there were the special teams issues.
A 23-yard sack taken by Shedeur Sanders early in the second quarter led to a missed 48-yard field goal by Alejandro Mata, snapping a streak of 10 straight made FGs.
On the Buffs’ next offensive drive, BYU’s Parker Kingston returned a punt 64 yards for a touchdown.
Parker Kingston is Parker Kingston-ing
The @BYUfootball redshirt-sophomore records his second punt return touchdown of the season as the Cougs add to their lead.#Big12FB |
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— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) December 29, 2024
A 10-point swing thanks to special teams mistakes.
That was arguably the early difference of a game that BYU led 20-0 at halftime.
Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter era of Colorado football comes to an end
Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter didn’t have to suit up on Saturday.
They’ll be two of the first five names called during the 2025 NFL Draft in April.
It wasn’t the result of performance either of them wanted to go out on, but they were able to connect on a 43-yard TD in the third quarter.
SHEDEUR TO TRAVIS HUNTER FOR AN UNREAL TOUCHDOWN TO PUT COLORADO ON THE BOARD
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— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 29, 2024
Hunter was the only offensive player to provide a spark. No Colorado receiver totaled more than four catches yards.
Shedeur Sanders completed 70% of his passes (16-of-23) for 208 yards and two TDs with two INTs in his final college football game.
Travis Hunter caught four passes for 106 yards and a TD in his final game as a Colorado football player. The Heisman Trophy winner also added four solo tackles on defense.
None of that matters on a day when the Buffs failed to end the 2024 season the right way.
Follow Colorado Buffaloes beat reporter Scott Procter on X.