No. 18 Colorado remains firmly in driver’s seat for Big 12 title game with win over Utah
Nov 16, 2024, 3:14 PM
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders throws a pass as Utah defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa pursues in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Shedeur Sanders overcame a shaky start to throw three touchdown passes, LaJohntay Wester returned a punt 76 yards for a score and No. 18 Colorado pulled away late to beat Utah 49-24 on Saturday.
Winners of four straight, the Buffaloes (8-2, 6-1 Big 12, No. 17 CFP) remain in the driver’s seat ahead of Arizona State for an appearance in the conference title game and possibly a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Colorado plays at Kansas next Saturday before hosting Oklahoma State, which is still searching for its first Big 12 win this season, for the season finale in a Friday matchup. The Buffaloes need to lose at least once for ASU to pass them in the standings.
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Sanders threw an interception on his first pass of the game and later lost a fumble. But he settled down and finished 30 of 41 for 340 yards. He connected twice on TD passes with Will Sheppard. Sanders has thrown 27 TD passes, one away from matching the single-season school record set by Sefo Liufau in 2014.
Leading 35-16 early in the fourth quarter, the Buffaloes saw the Utes stage a late rally to make things interesting down the stretch. The comeback was thwarted by D.J. McKinney’s interception and then a sack from Shilo Sanders that resulted in a fumble that Colorado recovered.
Two-way standout and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter stood out in his glittery gold cleats — and with an incredible 28-yard catch between two Utah defenders on fourth-and-8. He also had a 5-yard score with 2:22 remaining on a reverse to seal the win.
On defense, Hunter picked off a pass but also was beaten by receiver Dorian Singer for a 40-yard score. It’s the first touchdown pass caught on Hunter this season.
The Utes (4-6, 1-6) dropped their sixth straight game behind an offense that sputtered early. They were limited to three field goals by Cole Becker before Isaac Wilson connected with Singer. Wilson later hit Caleb Lohner — and converted a two-point conversion — to make it 35-24 with 8:34 remaining.
