Coach Deion Sanders and the Colorado Bison narrowly escaped an unexpected loss in their season opener, overcoming a deficit to defeat the North Dakota State (NDSU) Bison 31-26 on Thursday.
- Comeback Victory: Colorado trailed 20-17 at halftime but managed to score 14 unanswered points in the second half to regain the lead.
- Dramatic Finish: In a tense final moment at Boulder’s Folsom Field, NDSU quarterback Cam Miller’s 20-yard touchdown run with 2:19 left on the clock brought the game within reach for the visitors. The Buffaloes found themselves on their eight-yard line with only 31 seconds remaining, trailing by five points. NDSU’s last-ditch effort to snatch victory fell just short as a pass completion ended four yards shy of the goal line, allowing Colorado to secure the season-opening triumph.
- Coach Sanders’ Reaction: Despite the win—the team’s first since last October—Coach Sanders, known as ‘Coach Prime,’ downplayed the celebrations. “You ever felt like you won, but you didn’t win?” Sanders remarked, according to the Buffaloes’ site. He expressed frustration over allowing the late touchdown but acknowledged the presence of 31 NFL scouts who likely saw what they needed to see. “I’ll try to hold back my anger, but we got the W, so I’m happy,” he added.
- Shedeur Sanders Shines: Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders was the standout performer, throwing for 445 yards and four touchdowns against NDSU. Three of those touchdowns were caught by Travis Hunter, the team’s two-way star who plays both wide receiver and cornerback. Hunter finished with seven catches for 132 yards, while Jimmy Horn Jr. added seven catches for 198 yards and a touchdown.
- Connection with Travis Hunter: After the victory, Shedeur Sanders, the youngest son of Coach Sanders, highlighted his strong connection with Hunter, which dates back to their days at Jackson State University. “Years and years of relationships, years of talking about different things,” the 22-year-old said. “He plays defensive back, so he understands body position, he understands a lot of things that a lot of receivers don’t know. So that’s like the perk of having him out there. We’re just locked in mentally.”
- Next Challenge: Colorado will face the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday, September 7, at Lincoln’s Memorial Stadium.