The Colorado Buffaloes, led by quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way star Travis Hunter, overcame a slow start and an early 13-point deficit to power past Texas Tech, winning 41-27 on Saturday night. The victory marks Colorado’s third consecutive win and places the Buffs (7-2, 5-1 Big 12) in strong contention for a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game and a potential berth in the College Football Playoff.
Shedeur Sanders threw two touchdown passes and rushed for another score, delivering a resilient performance under pressure. Despite starting with four punts, Colorado’s offense kicked into high gear, racking up four touchdowns and a field goal to pull away from the Red Raiders in the second half.
“We started out slow. That’s not indicative of who we are,” said Colorado head coach Deion Sanders. “But I felt confident that in the second half we would go do what we ultimately did.”
A Game of Big Plays
Shedeur Sanders completed 30 of 43 passes for 291 yards, distributing the ball effectively and finishing with three total touchdowns. His confidence never wavered, even as Colorado fell behind early. “It was go time,” Shedeur said. “It was never a stress. It was never a sweat. It was never a doubt.”
Sanders’ first touchdown pass, a 23-yard strike to LaJohntay Wester, came midway through the second quarter and provided the Buffs with momentum after their sluggish start. Later, in the third quarter, Sanders connected on a 5-yard touchdown to Will Sheppard, followed by a 24-yard strike to Hunter, who had a standout night with nine catches for 99 yards and a touchdown.
Colorado also found success on the ground, with Alejandro Mata adding field goals of 25 and 33 yards to help solidify the Buffaloes’ lead. By the end of the third quarter, Colorado held a commanding 31-20 lead.
Defensive Standouts
Colorado’s defense rose to the occasion, forcing three turnovers and sacking Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton six times. Shilo Sanders, the Buffaloes’ safety and son of head coach Deion Sanders, capped off the night with a fumble recovery in the end zone with just 51 seconds left, sealing the victory.
Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton, who finished 24 of 40 for 275 yards with two touchdown passes, kept the Red Raiders within striking distance. Morton’s 21-yard touchdown to Jalin Conyers in the final minutes brought Texas Tech back within two scores, but Colorado’s defense held firm.
Controversy on the Field and in the Stands
The game wasn’t without its moments of drama. Tech head coach Joey McGuire expressed frustration over a controversial roughing-the-passer penalty that extended Colorado’s first scoring drive of the second half, allowing the Buffaloes to take a 17-13 lead. “He [the official] said, ‘I saw him hit him below the knee,’ and I don’t know who saw that,” McGuire said postgame. “He hit him in the hip. I mean, it was a great, clean hit.”
Adding to the intensity, the atmosphere in Jones AT&T Stadium took a turn when frustrated fans began throwing trash and other objects at Colorado’s sideline in the fourth quarter. McGuire, visibly upset, took to a microphone to urge fans to stop, noting that items ranging from vape pens to beer bottles were thrown. “We got really lucky that we didn’t get a 15-yard penalty,” he remarked.
After the game, Shedeur Sanders signed a tortilla, a symbol of Texas Tech tradition, and posed for photos with members of the Tech band, demonstrating sportsmanship in the wake of a hard-fought game.
What’s Next for the Buffaloes?
With this win, Colorado remains in control of its Big 12 destiny. The Buffs will return home to host Utah next Saturday in what promises to be a critical game with potential championship implications. Colorado’s offense, which started slowly in Lubbock, will look to build on its late-game momentum and improve as it gears up for the stretch run of the season.
If the Buffaloes can continue their winning streak, the dream of reaching the Big 12 Championship Game—and possibly the College Football Playoff—remains very much alive.
