Buffaloes run past Knights in Florida; Hunter comes up big

CU RECAP

CU rolls past UCF in first Big 12 road test, now 4-1

Colorado wide receiver Will Sheppard celebrates after his touchdown catch during the first half of the Buffs’ game against Central Florida on Saturday in Orlando, Fla. PHELAN M. EBENHACK — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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By Brian Howell

howellb@dailycamera.com

ORLANDO, Fla. >> With Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff in town, dozens of highly ranked recruits on the sidelines and a heavy underdog on the other side of the field, Saturday was a big opportunity for Central Florida.

It was Colorado that rose to the occasion, however.

Brushing aside an early interception, Shedeur Sanders was brilliant, as was Heisman Trophy hopeful Travis Hunter, and the Buffaloes’ defense was stellar throughout the day as the Buffs routed the host Knights, 48-21, at FBC Mortgage Stadium.

Coming in as 14-point underdogs, the Buffs (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) won their third game in a row and moved to 2-0 in conference for the first time since 2020.

Sanders threw three touchdown passes, Hunter caught nine passes for 89 yards and a touchdown and also had an interception on defense, and the Buffs slowed down the UCF run game.

The start of the game was delayed 50 minutes because of inclement weather, but it didn’t faze the Buffs, who won their first Big 12 road game since 2007. The Buffs, who were in the Pac-12 from 2011-23, lost their last 13 Big 12 road games from 2007-10.

A recap of the Buffs’ win against the Knights:

First quarter

CU got off to a potentially dangerous start when Shedeur Sanders threw an interception on the third play of the game.

The defense stepped up, though, and Preston Hodge picked off UCF’s KJ Jefferson in the end zone. The Buffs responded with an 11-play, 80-yard scoring drive, capped by Sanders hitting Travis Hunter for a 23-yard touchdown pass. Just one play later, Jefferson connected with running back RJ Harvey on a short pass and Harvey went the distance for a 75-yard touchdown to tie the game. On the ensuing drive, CU faced third-and-15 at the UCF 47-yard line and Shedeur went deep, finding Will Sheppard for a diving catch in the end zone to put the Buffs back on top. Score: Colorado 14, UCF 7.

Second quarter

CU forced a punt on UCF’s first possession of the second quarter, and then the offense went to work again. This time, Dallan Hayden scored on a 14-yard run, his first touchdown as a Buff. That gave CU a 21-7 lead, but the Knights responded quickly. Jefferson threw passes of 22 and 16 yards, and then scored on a 7-yard run to cut the CU lead to 21-14. The Buffs tacked on two Alejandro Mata field goals, from 36 and 46 yards, before the half. Score: Colorado 27, UCF 14.

Third quarter

Looking to regain momentum, UCF drove into CU territory to start the fourth but stalled, and then missed a 55-yard field goal. The Buffs took advantage. Sanders hit Jimmy Horn for 13 yards and Will Sheppard for 32 yards to set up Micah Welch’s 1-yard touchdown run that put the Buffs in command at 34-14. Three plays later, Hunter picked off Jefferson, but the Buffs couldn’t capitalize on that opportunity and punted for the first time. UCF made quick work of the CU defense, going 92 yards in three plays. All three plays were passes by Jefferson, the last one to Xavier Townsend for a 15-yard touchdown. Once again, however, the Buffs had an answer. Isaiah Augustave had runs of 21 and 19 yards, and Sanders capped a 65-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to LaJohntay Wester. Score: Colorado 41, UCF 21.

Fourth quarter

The Buffs punted on their first two offensive possessions of the fourth quarter, but the defense stepped up in a big way. UCF drove to the Buffs’ 2-yard line but couldn’t punch it in because CU’s defense came up with a stand. Nikhai Hill-Green sacked Jefferson on fourth down to end that threat. Later in the quarter, the Knights drove to the Buffs’ 14-yard line and Jefferson ran for a first down, but fumbled. CU’s Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig scooped it up and ran 95 yards for a touchdown for the Buffs. Final score: Colorado 48, UCF 21.