Travis Hunter Shines as Colorado Dominates Oklahoma State 52-0

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Travis Hunter Shines as Colorado Dominates Oklahoma State 52-0 \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ No. 23 Colorado delivered a statement win over Oklahoma State, routing the Cowboys 52-0 and keeping their slim Big 12 title hopes alive. Travis Hunter caught three touchdowns and set a school record, while Shedeur Sanders broke Colorado’s single-season passing record with 438 yards. The Buffaloes now await results from Saturday’s conference games to determine their postseason path.

Colorado’s Big Win: Quick Looks

Hunter’s Historic Night: Travis Hunter scored three touchdowns, bringing his season total to 14 and setting a school record.
Sanders’ Record Performance: Shedeur Sanders threw for 438 yards, surpassing Colorado’s single-season passing record and adding five touchdown passes.
Big 12 Scenarios: Colorado needs a combination of losses by Arizona State, BYU, and Iowa State or a BYU loss and a Texas Tech win to make the Big 12 championship game.
Defensive Standout: The Buffaloes’ defense forced four turnovers, including a pick-6, while allowing just 70 rushing yards.
Oklahoma State’s Collapse: The Cowboys finished winless in conference play for the first time since 1994.
Senior Day Celebration: Shedeur and Shilo Sanders were among 21 seniors honored during the game.

Deep Look

No. 23 Colorado ended its regular season with an emphatic 52-0 win over Oklahoma State, showcasing its offensive firepower and defensive resurgence. Led by record-breaking performances from Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, the Buffaloes improved to 9-3 (7-2 Big 12) while keeping their hopes for a spot in the Big 12 championship game alive.

Hunter’s Heisman Campaign Gathers Momentum

Travis Hunter, Colorado’s electrifying two-way star, delivered yet another standout performance. He finished with 10 receptions for 116 yards and three touchdowns, bringing his season total to 14 receiving touchdowns—a new school record. Hunter surpassed Nelson Spruce’s 12-touchdown mark from 2014 and punctuated his third touchdown with a dramatic Heisman pose after catching the ball while falling with a defender draped over him.

Hunter’s impact extended to the defensive side, where he secured his fifth interception of the season in the first quarter. Though he dropped another potential pick, his versatility and dominance solidified his case as one of the nation’s premier players.

Sanders Shatters Records

Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who has been the engine of Colorado’s resurgence this season, broke multiple school records in the victory. Sanders threw for 438 yards, surpassing Koy Detmer’s 1996 single-season passing record of 3,527 yards. He also added five touchdown passes, bringing his season total to 35—a new Colorado record for single-season touchdown passes.

Sanders was in complete control, spreading the ball to his receivers, including LaJohntay Wester, who caught 11 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns. Wester’s career total of 322 receptions ties him for sixth on the NCAA’s all-time receptions list, further underscoring Colorado’s aerial dominance.

Defense Secures the Shutout

After struggling defensively in recent weeks, Colorado’s defense rebounded in a big way. The Buffaloes forced four turnovers, including a pick-6 by DJ McKinney, and limited Oklahoma State to just 70 rushing yards—most of which came during garbage time. This marked Colorado’s first shutout since a 34-0 win over Arizona on October 16, 2021.

The defense’s performance came at a crucial time, as the Buffaloes were coming off a 37-21 loss to Kansas in which they allowed 331 rushing yards. On Friday, the unit looked rejuvenated, keeping Oklahoma State out of the end zone and consistently disrupting their offensive rhythm.

Big 12 Title Scenarios

Colorado’s path to the Big 12 championship remains a long shot, but Friday’s win ensures they remain in contention. The Buffaloes need one of the following scenarios to unfold:

Two losses among No. 14 Arizona State (playing at Arizona), No. 19 BYU (hosting Houston), or No. 17 Iowa State (hosting Kansas State).
A BYU loss combined with a Texas Tech win over West Virginia.

Should the chips fall in Colorado’s favor, they would secure a spot in the Big 12 title game on December 7 in Arlington, Texas. Even if they miss the championship, the Buffaloes are bowl-bound and poised for a high-profile postseason appearance.

Senior Day Highlights

The victory also served as a farewell to 21 seniors, including Shedeur and Shilo Sanders. The brothers, accompanied by their father and head coach Deion Sanders, were honored at midfield in a touching pregame ceremony. Their contributions have been instrumental in Colorado’s resurgence this season, with Shedeur leading the offense and Shilo providing leadership on defense.

Oklahoma State’s Struggles

For Oklahoma State, the season ended on a sour note. The Cowboys finished the year on a nine-game losing streak and went winless in conference play for the first time since 1994. Despite the disappointing season, receiver Brennan Presley achieved a personal milestone by becoming the first player in program history with four seasons of 1,000 all-purpose yards.

Awards and Accolades

Shedeur Sanders was named the winner of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award before the game, recognizing him as the nation’s top quarterback. Travis Hunter, however, was controversially left off the finalist list for the Jim Thorpe Award, awarded to the top defensive back. Head coach Deion Sanders expressed frustration over Hunter’s omission, but the star player’s performance speaks for itself.

Looking Ahead

Colorado now awaits the outcomes of Saturday’s games to determine its postseason fate. The Buffaloes are guaranteed a bowl bid but could also find themselves competing for a Big 12 title if the right results materialize. Regardless, the team’s dominant regular-season finale has set the stage for an exciting postseason.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma State will turn its attention to rebuilding for next year after enduring one of the most challenging seasons in recent program history.