Colorado got back on track on Saturday with a 28-9 win over Colorado State.
Shedeur Sanders threw two touchdown passes to Travis Hunter as Colorado State lost the ball four times. The Buffs (2-1) led 14-3 at halftime thanks to two TD passes to LaJohntay Wester, and cruised in the second half as Hunter extended the lead.
There are still reasons to be concerned about the Buffaloes, though. Colorado had success running the ball, but was much more content throwing. Micah Welch had a 25-yard run and the Buffs finished with 109 rushing yards. However, Colorado ran the ball just 19 times, while Sanders threw the ball 49 times.
While Sanders wasn’t officially fired by the Rams, the offensive line still showed that it’s a work in progress. That may not matter in the end against teams like Colorado State, but it will undoubtedly be a problem around the league if there isn’t much improvement.
Colorado State QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi threw a brutal interception in the second half, allowing Colorado to extend its lead to three scores. With the Buffaloes leading 14-3 in the third quarter, Fowler-Nicolosi inexplicably threw across his body and into the middle of the field. Preston Hodge was there for the interception, and Hunter scored his first TD of the game a few plays later.
Hunter intercepted Fowler-Nicolosi on fourth down late in the third quarter and was even given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Sanders completed 36 of 49 passes for 310 yards. Thirteen of those completions went to Hunter, who had 100 yards. Wester had five grabs for 80 yards.
Colorado opens Big 12 play in Week 4 with a home game against Baylor before traveling to UCF. Colorado State (1-2) plays at home next week against UTEP in its final non-conference game of the season before Mountain West play begins.
