FORT COLLINS >> Travis Hunter had to miss most of the Rocky Mountain Showdown in 2023.

On Saturday night, the Colorado star was brilliant and helped the Buffaloes dominate Colorado State 28-9 at Canvas Stadium.

The sold-out crowd of 40,099 was the largest for a home game in CSU history, as the Buffs (2-1) made their first trip to Fort Collins since 1996. CU has won seven straight against the Rams (1-2) as the series now goes on hiatus until 2029.

Hunter, the Buffs’ dynamic cornerback/receiver, suffered a lacerated liver early in the 2023 matchup. On Saturday, he caught 13 passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns and also picked off a pass on defense. It was Hunter’s fourth-straight 100-yard game, making him the first player in CU history to do that.

Shedeur Sanders threw four touchdown passes, two to LaJohntay Wester, for the Buffs, who bounced back from a loss at rival Nebraska a week ago. CU opens Big 12 Conference play next Saturday at home against Baylor (6 p.m., Fox).

A recap of the Buffs’ win against the Rams:

First quarter

It was a slow start for both teams, as each punted on their first possession. On its second possession, CSU got a couple of nice runs — 27 and 11 yards — by Justin Marshall to get into scoring position at the CU 8-yard line. The Buffs’ defense stepped up, though, and held the Rams to a 25-yard field goal by Jordan Noyes. CU responded with its own march into enemy territory, but the drive stalled at the CSU 26 and Alejandro Mata was wide right on his 44-yard field goal attempt to keep the Buffs scoreless. Score: CSU 3, Colorado 0.

Second quarter

CU put together its best quarter of the season in the second. Defensively, the Buffs forced three straight CSU punts and the Rams missed a 52-yard field goal on its fourth drive, which ended the half. In between, the Buffs’ offense went to work. Shedeur Sanders led the Buffs on a 12-play, 85-yard drive, capped by a 4-yard touchdown pass to LaJohntay Wester to take their first lead at 7-3. About 5 minutes later, Sanders hit Wester again, this time for a 34-yard touchdown pass. Wester caught the ball at the 19 and out-ran the Rams to the end zone to put the Buffs ahead 14-3 going into intermission. Score: Colorado 14, CSU 3.

Third quarter

After receiving the kickoff to open the half, CU missed an opportunity to keep the momentum going. The Buffs drove into CSU territory, but stalled at the 44 and had to punt. Mark Vassett’s punt pinned the Rams at 3-yard line, though, and two plays later, CU’s defense came through. Under pressure, the Rams’ Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi was picked off by Preston Hodge, who set up the offense at the 12-yard line. Shedeur Sanders found Travis Hunter for an easy 2-yard touchdown pass two plays later. On its next possession, CSU drove to the 4-yard line, but fumbled and the Buffs’ LaVonta Bentley recovered. CU fumbled on its next possession, but Hunter picked off Fowler-Nicolosi five plays later. Score: Colorado 21, CSU 3.

Fourth quarter

Hunter’s interception set up the Buffs near midfield and just four plays into the fourth quarter, they capitalized. Sanders connected with Hunter in the back right corner of the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown pass to give CU a commanding 28-3 lead. On its next possession, CSU faced fourth-and-1 from its own 34-yard line and on a direct snap, Avery Morrow went 62 yards up the middle to the Buffs’ 4. Two plays later, Justin Marshall scored from 5 yards out to get CSU into the end zone for the first time. CU punted on its next possession and CSU followed up by driving to the Buffs’ 19-yard line. But, a bad snap to Fowler-Nicolosi resulted in a fumble recovered by CU’s BJ Green with 3 minutes to play. Final score: Colorado 28, CSU 9.