All Eyes on the Prize: Colorado Crushes Clout-Chasing Colorado State
Deion Sanders Leads Buffaloes to a Decisive 28-9 Victory in the Rocky Mountain Showdown
The CU vs CSU trophy stays at CU for another year. Photo property of Colorado Buffs Football (@cubuffsfootball)
Clout Chasing Meets Its End
In the lead-up to Saturday night’s Rocky Mountain Showdown, Colorado State made headlines with disrespectful comments aimed at Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes, diminishing their success to mere social media hype and Instagram followers. But after a decisive 28-9 win, Colorado proved that football, not followers, reigns supreme on the field.
As Colorado State sought attention with clout-chasing remarks, the Buffaloes were focused on football, and their results showed it. This victory not only silenced the Rams' trash talk but secured Colorado’s continued dominance over their in-state rivals for a second consecutive year.
Deion Sanders Keeps It Classy
In the face of Colorado State’s provocations, head coach Deion Sanders maintained his cool, never taking the bait. He refused to dignify the disrespect with a response, preferring to let his team’s performance speak for itself.
“We just want to play some football,” Sanders said. “The disrespect was uncalled for throughout the week. A couple of their players took shots at the whole program.”
While CSU receiver Tory Horton and quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi had mocked the Buffaloes’ popularity off the field, Sanders showed his team their comments in the locker room before the game, reminding them that this battle was "personal."
Travis Hunter’s Show-Stopping Performance
Colorado’s two-way star Travis Hunter stole the show once again, turning in yet another stellar performance. After the 28-9 victory, Hunter was seen signing autographs for fans, a testament to his growing legend. Fans tossed helmets, jerseys, and gear down from the stands, eager to capture a piece of history.
Hunter, who caught 13 passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns, made his presence felt on both sides of the ball, also recording five tackles and an interception. His efforts were so relentless that he briefly took himself out of the game to catch his breath after chasing down a Colorado State player from behind.
“That’s probably the first time I did that,” Hunter said. “Normally, when I run him down, I’d be able to catch my breath and get back up, but that time, I was just... I don’t know what happened.”
Coach Sanders praised Hunter’s performance, calling him “phenomenal” as always, while quarterback Shedeur Sanders added, “There’s no ceiling” on Hunter’s ability.
Social Media Jabs Fall Flat
For all the talk of Instagram followers, Colorado State’s performance on the field fell flat. Fowler-Nicolosi, who had taunted Hunter during the game with a gesture implying Hunter was too small, had little to show for it. Colorado State managed just nine points in a game that saw them overmatched from start to finish.
Deion Sanders didn’t hold back when asked about Fowler-Nicolosi’s antics.
“How stupid is that? This is Travis Hunter. Who does that?” Sanders exclaimed. “I wouldn’t allow my kids to do that, and y’all know that.”
Despite the Rams’ efforts to stir controversy, Colorado refused to stoop to their level. Coach Sanders stayed focused, leading his team with integrity while aiming for a complete victory.
Closing the Game with Authority
Even in the closing minutes of the game, the Buffaloes made a statement. With a comfortable 28-9 lead, Sanders kept his starters on the field, including his son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who continued to throw deep passes.
“The game is about scoring, isn’t it?” Deion Sanders said post-game. “As long as the other team is trying to score, we’re trying to score. That’s my rule.”
Shedeur Sanders finished the game with 310 passing yards and four touchdowns, two of which went to receiver LaJohntay Wester in the first half. The Buffaloes’ offense was well-protected, giving up just one sack after struggling the previous week against Nebraska.
Defense Shines as Colorado Builds Momentum
Not only did Colorado dominate on offense, but their defense also showed its teeth, giving up just nine points in their last six quarters of play. The Buffaloes snagged two interceptions and recovered two fumbles, keeping Colorado State from mounting any serious comeback.
Travis Hunter’s interception and his brilliant 38-yard return capped off his historic night. The Buffaloes' defense, energized by Hunter’s all-around play, was instrumental in shutting down the Rams’ offense.
Deion Sanders credited the team’s resilience, saying, “You see this arrow is headed in the right direction, especially defensively.” Colorado’s defensive turnaround has been crucial, and Sanders knows protecting Shedeur and getting stops are the keys to continued success.
Looking Ahead with Confidence
With the win, Colorado (2-1) enters Big 12 Conference play with a wave of momentum. Next up is a matchup against Baylor (2-1), set to be their fourth consecutive prime-time game on national television. The Buffaloes' early-season success has made them must-watch TV, and Sanders is ready to continue making noise.
For Coach Sanders and his team, this victory was about more than just winning a rivalry game—it was about standing up to disrespect and showing the world what Colorado football is truly made of.
As Sanders so eloquently put it: “This isn’t about Instagram followers. It’s about football, and that’s exactly what we do.”
