By Jake Levin
Colorado looked like a different team today as the Buffs rushed for a season-high 128 yards in their 48-21 win at Central Florida in Orland.
With 290 more yards passing by Shedeur Sanders with three touchdown passes, the Buffs improved their season record to 4-1 with the last two wins in the Big Eight Conference, where CU is playing for the first time since 2010.
The Colorado defense forced four turnovers with two fumble recoveries and two pass interceptions, including one by two-way standout Travis Hunter, who also had nine pass receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown on offense.
The game started with Sanders throwing an interception in Colorado territory. An interception by Colorado cornerback Preston Hodge in the endzone kept UCF from turning the turnover into points. CU scored on the ensuing drive by driving 80 yards in 11 plays, ending with a 23-yard scoring pass to Hunter from Sanders.
After a touchdown pass by UCF that covered 75 yards, the Buffs took the lead on a 47-yard scoring aerial from Sanders to Will Sheppard. CU extended the lead to 21-7 with a 14-yard touchdown run by Dallan Hayden. Two Alejandro Mata field goals gave the Buffaloes a 27-14 lead at halftime.
Micah Welch’s one-yard touchdown in the third quarter put the Buffaloes up 34-14. The Knights would then score later on in the third quarter to make the Buffaloes lead only 34-21, but this was the closest the Knights would get.
Colorado’s final score came on a 95-yard fumble return by Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig with 5:05 left in the contest. It is the third-longest fumble return in the history of collegiate football in the state of Colorado and one yard short of tying the CU record of 96 yards by Ben Kelly on September 18, 1999 in a Buff game in Boulder against Kansas.
Adam Zanotti of Air Force holds the state record with a 98-yard fumble return for a touchdown versus Army on November 3, 2006. A week earlier, CU’s Ryan Walters returned a fumble 95 yards at Kansas on October 28, 2006.
Colorado is idle next week as they have its first bye week of the season. The Buffs return to action on October 12 when Kansas State visits Folsom Field. On that day, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame will salute Deon Figures, a 2024 inductee. READ MORE
Western Colorado 53, at New Mexico Highlands 12 – Nationally-ranked Western Colorado raced to a 40-0 halftime lead and never looked back in improving its record to 4-0, with the Mountaineers posting their second RMAC this season. Reserves led the visiting Coloradoans as Josiah Roy passed for 155 yards and one touchdown in place of starter Drew Nash. Kaiden Hernandez rushed for 118 yards. Royce Pao scored three touchdowns on the ground for the winners with 74 yards rushing. WCU’s leading rusher, Braeden Hogan, ran for 50 yards and one score. The Mountaineers host Fort Lewis next weekend in Gunnison. READ MORE
at Colorado Mines 52, Black Hills State 24 – With Colorado School of Mines celebrating its 150th birthday, fourth-ranked Orediggers had a record-setting day by scoring 35 first-quarter points to improve their record to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in RMAC play. Before a record crowd of 6,958 fans at Marv Kay Stadium in Golden, Flynn Schiele set the stadium record with the second-most receiving yards in program history, catching 13 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns. Max McLeod became Mines’ second 4,000-yard career receiver with his nine-catch, 89-yard, three-touchdown day. Evan Foster had a career day throwing for six touchdowns among his 434 yards and 27-for-35 efficiency; his five first-quarter touchdown throws made him just the fourth QB in NCAA Division II history to throw for five in a quarter. Colorado Mines returns to action next Saturday in Grand Junction versus Colorado Mesa. READ MORE
Colorado State Pueblo 66, at Adams State 10 – After trailing 10-8 in the first quarter, the nationally-ranked ThunderWolves scored 58 consecutive points in the contest to secure their third RMAC victory and fourth overall in five games. CSU Pueblo amassed 718 yards on offense and allowed only 141 for Adams State, which is 0-2 in RMAC play and 0-4 overall. Devin Larsen completed 16 passes for 268 yards and four touchdown passes. Backup Roman Fuller completed all seven of his passes for the Pack, which resulted in three scores and 149 yards. Howard Russell V rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns and caught two passes for 11 yards to finish with 179 all-purpose yards. The Grizzlies’ only touchdown was on a 12-yard interception return by Traivian Denesto. The ThunderWolves return home to host New Mexico Highlands for homecoming at the ThunderBowl on Saturday. Adams State travels to Chadron State next weekend. CSUP READ MORE ASU READ MORE
at Colorado Mesa 18, Chadron State 3 – The Maverick defense proved the difference as Colorado Mesa evened its records at 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the RMAC. The winners yielded only 123 total yards to visiting Chadron State, with the Eagle’s only score coming on a 57-yard field goal with 8:34 left in the game to cut the Maverick lead to 18-3. Aiden Taylor rushed for 116 yards to pace the Mesa offense. The Mavericks host nationally-ranked Colorado Mines in Grand Junction next Saturday. READ MORE
Cal Poly 28, at Northern Colorado 7 – The Bears gave up two first-quarter scores to the visiting Mustangs in the Big Sky Conference opening game for both schools, as UNC has now lost its last 17 games. The Bears cut the lead to 14-7 in the third quarter when Zach Pekarek blocked a punt that gave the ball to UNC on the Cal Poly 15-yard line. Kia Keone scored on a 10-yard run three plays later to shrink the lead. The Mustangs increased the lead to 14 by scoring on the ensuing drive and added a final score in the closing period. Keone led the Bears with 115 yards passing and 55 yards rushing as Cal Poly won the yardage battle – 492- 213. UNC plays at nationally-ranked Montana State next weekend. READ MORE
South Dakota Mines 49, at Fort Lewis 33 – Despite the setback, the Skyhawks compiled 444 total yards for its best offensive showing since November 13, 2021. The 33 Fort Lewis points were also the most scored by the Skyhawks since September 21, 2019. Quarterback Stone Walker had 221 yards on offense, with Orlando Guevara (100 yards rushing, one on score) and Zachary Gaumont (117 yards receiving, three scores) combined for 217 yards and four scores. Fort Lewis fell to 1-3 on the season and 0-2 in RMAC play. Fort Lewis plays at nationally-ranked Western Colorado next weekend in Gunnison. READ MORE
at Wyoming 31, Air Force 19 – The Falcons led 13-7 at halftime, but Mountain West rivals Wyoming scored the next 17 to take the lead for good. Aiden Calvert’s 37-yard touchdown run with seven minutes left in the game cut the Wyo lead to 24-19. The Cowboys secured the win on their next possession by controlling the ball for nearly five minutes on a 9-play, 75-yard scoring drive. The setback was the third straight for the Air Force after opening the season with a win. The Falcons are 0-2 now in MW play and host service-academy rival and undefeated Navy next week in a nationally-televised game on CBS. READ MORE
Colorado State (2-2) was idle this week and plays at Oregon State on the CW network next week.
| September 28 | PREVIEWS | Series |
| Western Colorado 53, at New Mexico. Highlands 12 | RECAP | WCU now leads 38-21 |
| CSU Pueblo 66, at Adams State 10 | CSUP RECAP / ASU RECAP | CSUP now leads 27-9 |
| at Colorado Mines 52, Black Hills State 24 | RECAP | CSM now leads 14-0 |
| Cal Poly 28, at Northern Colorado 7 | RECAP | UNC now trails 3-13 |
| at Colorado Mesa 18, Chadron State 3 | RECAP | CMU now trails 14-20 |
| Colorado 48, at Central Florida 21 | RECAP | CU now leads 1-0 |
| South Dakota Mines 49, at Fort Lewis 13 | RECAP | FLC now trails 3-6 |
| at Wyoming 31, Air Force 19 | RECAP | AFA now leads 31-28-3 |
| October 5 | Series |
| Navy at Air Force, 10 a.m. (CBS) | AFA leads 34-22 |
| Adams State at Chadron State, 12 p.m. (RMAC Net) | ASC trails 26-6 |
| Colorado Mines at Colorado Mesa, 1 p.m. (RMAC Net) | CMU leads 31-16 |
| Northern Colorado at Montana State, 2 p.m. (ESPN+) | UNC trails 10-23-1 |
| New Mexico Highlands at CSU Pueblo, 2 p.m. (RMAC Net) | CSUP leads 22-5 |
| Colorado State at Oregon State, 4:30 p.m. (CW) | CSU leads 2-1 |
| Fort Lewis at Western Colorado, 6 p.m. (RMAC Net) | WC leads 45-17 |
