Shedeur Sanders set program records and Travis Hunter strengthened his Heisman Trophy campaign, but the Colorado football team struggled on Saturday vs. Kansas.
The Buffaloes (8-3, 6-2 Big 12) were unable to overcome an early deficit and lost to the Jayhawks 37-21 at Arrowhead Stadium.
Here are five takeaways from Colorado’s first loss in over a month:
Colorado football starts slow once again
It’s been a common theme all season for the Buffs. Colorado was down 13-0 two weeks ago vs. Texas Tech. Shedeur Sanders threw an interception on the first play of the game last week vs. Utah. On Saturday, another slow start put the Buffs in an early hole (trailed 17-0).
Kansas scored on each of its first five offensive drives of the first half (two touchdowns, three field goals) and had 342 total yards of offense at halftime. Meanwhile, Colorado went three-and-out on its opening possession, turned the ball over on downs on the next drive and was held scoreless in the opening quarter.
A strong first half by Shedeur Sanders and solid red-zone defense by the Buffs kept them alive.
Shedeur Sanders plays nearly flawless game
Shedeur Sanders took a brutal hit in the first half on Saturday and somehow didn’t miss a single snap. He did, however, have an efficient performance.
A second-quarter touchdown pass to freshman Drelon Miller was Sanders’ 29th passing TD of the season, setting a Colorado football single-season record.
Sanders completed 79% of his passes (23-of-29) to eight different players for 266 yards and three touchdowns (190.5 rating). He also led the Buffs in rushing (26 yards).
Travis Hunter adds to Heisman highlight reel
Travis Hunter entered Saturday with the best odds of winning the Heisman Trophy award and he showed why vs. Kansas.
The two-way star got Colorado on the board by taking a screen pass 51 yards for a TD (the longest reception of his career). He then got the second half started by catching a 26-yard TD from Sanders.
TRAVIS HUNTER SCORES THE TD AND HITS THE HEISMAN
@CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/62fAeYYpid
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 23, 2024
Hunter finished the game with 125 yards and two touchdowns on eight catches. The Heisman Trophy hopeful also set a Colorado football record for the most 100-yard receiving games in a season (6) and became just the second FBS player with 10 receiving TDs and multiple defensive INTs in the same season since at least 1980.
Colorado’s defense plagued by missed tackles
The Buffs’ defense was a strength during its four-game winning streak, but not on Saturday.
Kansas scored every time it touched the ball (points on all seven possessions) and running back Devin Neal had a career day. He rushed for a season-high 207 yards and three touchdowns to go along with 80 receiving yards and another score on four catches.
As a team, the Jayhawks had 522 total yards of offense (333 rushing). Kansas’ 37 points are the most Colorado has given up all season.
The Buffs’ poor tackling (20-plus missed tackles) was a massive reason why their winning streak came to an end on Saturday.
Colorado football is still alive for Big 12 title game
Despite the disappointing performance and result, Colorado football still has an opportunity to play for the Big 12 championship.
It will require a win next week vs. Oklahoma State on Black Friday and some help from conference opponents (and tiebreakers), but the Buffs’ hopes of a Big 12 title haven’t been completely dashed.
Kickoff of Colorado vs. Oklahoma State from Folsom Field is at 10:00 a.m. MT on ABC.
Follow Colorado Buffaloes beat reporter Scott Procter on X.