Travis Hunter made the most of his last impression on Heisman Trophy voters with three touchdown receptions, two pass breakups and an interception for No. 25 Colorado in a 52-0 win against Oklahoma State on Friday in Boulder, Colo.
The two-way star wasted little time making a splash. His interception was on the third play of the game and his first score was an 11-yard catch to give the Buffaloes (9-3, 7-2 Big 12) a 21-0 first-quarter lead.
Shedeur Sanders connected on 34-of-41 passes for 438 yards, five touchdowns and an interception, setting Colorado’s single-season passing record. Koy Detmer had held that record since 1996.
Hunter had 116 yards on 10 grabs with three touchdowns and LaJohntay Wester had 11 catches for 175 yards and two touchdowns.
Micah Welch had a rushing touchdown for Colorado which kept its slim Big 12 Championship Game hopes alive. With Friday’s win, the Buffaloes are a half-game ahead of the rest of the league, but two of the three teams breathing down their necks — BYU, Arizona State or Iowa State — need to lose tomorrow for Colorado to advance to Arlington next week. They could also get to the championship game if BYU and West Virginia both lose.
Maealiuaki Smith was 11-of-29 for 70 yards and two interceptions for the Cowboys. Colorado outgained Oklahoma State 471-147.
In the first quarter, the Cowboys (3-9, 0-9) offense managed 16 yards, threw a pick to Hunter on its first drive, went three-and-out on its second, had a fumble recovered by Shilo Sanders on its third and punted on its fourth.
Oklahoma State had more penalty yards — eight for 74 yards — than it did offense — 30 yards — in the first half. The Cowboys had six three-and-outs and just one first down.
Colorado opened the second half with Wester’s 69-yard touchdown reception and its lead grew to 28-0. OSU fumbled on its next possession, which was recovered by Chidozie Nwankwo. The turnover led to Hunter’s second touchdown of the game, an 8-yard pass from Sanders, and a 35-0 Buffaloes lead.
After an Alejandro Mata field goal made the score 38-0, DJ McKinney returned an interception 13 yards for a touchdown and a 45-0 Colorado lead on the second play of the fourth quarter.
The Buffaloes went up 52-0 when Sanders hit Hunter from 23 yards out as he was being pulled down for his third touchdown of the day.
