BOULDER, Colo. — Travis Hunter enhanced his chances for the Heisman Trophy by delivering an impressive performance with three touchdown receptions and an interception, leading No. 23 Colorado to a decisive 52-0 victory over Oklahoma State on Friday. This win keeps the Buffaloes’ slim hopes alive for a spot in the Big 12 title game.
Hunter made a mark on the game with 10 catches for 116 yards. His trio of touchdown receptions brought his annual total to 14, surpassing Nelson Spruce’s record of 12 touchdowns set in 2014. One of Hunter’s scores was particularly memorable; he caught the ball while falling to the ground, with a defender still clinging to him, and celebrated the moment with a Heisman pose.
Shedeur Sanders commanded the field with a remarkable 438 passing yards, breaking the school’s single-season passing record. This achievement puts his final season total at 3,926 yards, eclipsing Koy Detmer’s previous record of 3,527 yards set in 1996. In addition to his yardage, Sanders threw five touchdown passes, bringing his season total to a staggering 35 — a new record for the university.
With this performance, the Buffaloes are in need of some favorable outcomes in conference play to secure a place in the championship game on December 7 in Arlington, Texas. To clinch a spot, scenarios include requiring losses from either No. 14 Arizona State, No. 19 BYU, or No. 17 Iowa State. Alternatively, a loss by BYU paired with a Texas Tech victory could also pave the way for Colorado’s entry.
Colorado quickly established dominance, racing to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter, and maintained their momentum into the second half. The Buffaloes’ defense was tenacious, forcing four turnovers, which included a pick-six from DJ McKinney. This match marked their first shutout since a 34-0 victory over Arizona on October 16, 2021.
LaJohntay Wester had an outstanding game as well, recording 11 catches for 175 yards and two touchdowns. With his total of 322 career catches, he is now tied for the sixth position on the NCAA’s career receptions leaderboard, having played for both Colorado and Florida Atlantic.
Before the game commenced, Sanders was awarded the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, recognizing him as the nation’s premier quarterback. He and Hunter are anticipated to receive several accolades this season. Notably, Hunter’s omission from the list of finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award — given to top defensive backs — drew criticism from Coach Deion Sanders. Although Hunter made one interception in the game, he also dropped another opportunity, showcasing a rare moment of struggle amidst his impressive season.
On the other hand, Oklahoma State concluded their year with a disappointing nine-game losing streak after being projected to finish third in the preseason. This defeat marks the Cowboys’ first winless conference season since 1994 when they competed in the Big 8.
During the senior day ceremonies, Shedeur and Shilo Sanders were among 21 players recognized. The two brothers were escorted to midfield by their father, the team’s head coach.
The key takeaway from this match highlights Oklahoma State’s challenges this season — despite their struggles, receiver Brennan Presley achieved a milestone by becoming the lone player in the program’s history to record four seasons with over 1,000 all-purpose yards. For Colorado, after allowing 331 rushing yards in their prior defeat against Kansas, they effectively contained Oklahoma State to just 70 yards, most of which came late in the game.
As for rankings, Colorado has the potential to rise back into the “teens” depending on outcomes from Saturday’s games. Moving forward, Oklahoma State will start preparing for next season, while Colorado awaits news on their bowl invitation and potentially securing a place in the Big 12 championship.