Colorado Buffaloes Football

Cam Newton has one major criticism of Colorado star quarterback Shedeur Sanders as he looks to have a strong senior season for the Buffaloes.

The former Auburn star and NFL veteran believes Sanders is lacking a signature to add to his collegiate resume, Newton said on his podcast, 4th&1 with Cam Newton.

"My whole thing with Shedeur is this... What win can he hang, like what performance can you hang your hat on in college?" Newton said (1:25 mark).

Newton's criticism of Sanders led to an awkward encounter between the two when Newton approached Sanders ahead of the Buffs game last week.

Cam Newton interrupts Sheduers pregame routine…. https://t.co/N5wzXMDdRl pic.twitter.com/cKm5rvrokl

— Konnxct (@konnxct) September 28, 2024

Newton addressed the encounter on his podcast.

"It was contentious. It was a little awkward. Not only with Shedeur, but also with Travis (Hunter)," he said (4:25 mark). "It was a little, 'Wait, hold up, what? You beefing with me?' I'm not beefing with you. I don't feel a certain type of way. I've always been a fan. Make no mistake about it. To protect our conversation, and I think I need to and I will be obedient to that. I think the difference between this age of athletes versus the age of athletes even when I was playing, is so direct to consumer."

Newton went on to say that while he did have criticisms of Sanders' game, he also had positive things to say, but his praises didn't get pushed to Sanders' algorithm.

In Newton's defense, it's fair to say Sanders lacks a major win. He has only beaten one ranked opponent so far in his college career, which was over No. 17 TCU last year, though the Horned Frogs ended the year 5-7.

Sanders has the chance to change the narrative this season, though. He's led the Buffs to a 4-1 start, already matching their win total from a year ago, and Colorado has a pair of ranked opponents on the schedule.

After a bye week this week, the Buffaloes will face No. 20 Kansas State, where Sanders will look to get his defining win.

Colorado's 48-21 victory over UCF on Saturday was particularly painful for New England Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker.

Baker, a UCF alum, had to wear a Deion Sanders' Buffaloes jersey after losing a bet with teammate Isaiah Bolden, who posted the video on his Instagram Stories.

Bolden's role in this whole thing is interesting. His caption in the video reads that UCF "can't mess wit us man" and includes a laughing emoji.

The 24-year-old Bolden was coached by Sanders in college, but it was at Jackson State from 2020 to '22. He was a seventh-round draft pick by the Patriots in 2023, so he never actually go to play for Coach Prime at Colorado.

New England's official roster doesn't list any of its players as having gone to college at Colorado.

This isn't to say that Bolden is precluded from rooting for his former coach, but his allegiance to Colorado probably isn't as strong as Baker's is to UCF. The rookie wideout spent his last two college seasons playing for the Knights after transferring from Alabama.

Colorado's win was arguably its most impressive performance of the season. The Buffaloes put up a season-high 48 points and held UCF to a season-low 21 points.

Sanders' defense is only allowing 23.0 points per game this season, down from 34.8 in 2023. That improvement has helped Colorado win three straight games and match its win total from last season (four).

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders believes his teammate, two-way star Travis Hunter, deserves the Heisman Trophy.

Sanders made those remarks on the latest edition of his 2Legendary podcast (2:30 mark) when asked about Hunter's Heisman celebration following an interception in a 48-21 win over UCF last Saturday.

TRAVIS HUNTER HIT THE HEISMAN POSE AFTER THIS ABSURD INT 😱🏆

(via @CFBONFOX)
pic.twitter.com/mjdq6ScruC

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 28, 2024

"I feel like Trav deserve it," Sanders began. "He is the best player in college football. Not one of the best, he is the best player in college football, and I think a lot of people take him for granted in what he's been able to do. And a lot of people tell him what he can't do. Which is wrong, which I don't believe in personally. If he's going in each year after year, drive after drive, play after play, proving himself every game, so at this point, you should already expect that from Trav. He has greatness in him, and each and every game he's able to showcase it in different ways."

Colorado went into Orlando as a heavy 13.5-point underdog to UCF but emerged as four-touchdown victors largely because of Hunter, who finished with nine catches for 89 yards and a score while adding an interception on defense.

For the season, Hunter (at wide receiver) leads the Buffaloes with 46 receptions, 561 yards and six touchdowns. On defense, Hunter (at cornerback) has 15 tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups and one forced fumble.

And Hunter now stars for a 4-1 Colorado team currently riding a three-game win streak.

Hunter is certainly in the Heisman discussion given his impressive two-way play. His biggest problem is that he's not a quarterback, a position that's earned the trophy all but four years since 2000.

In addition, Hunter's case would be boosted by Colorado continuing its winning ways and making a run at the Big 12 title. The Buffaloes only got one vote in the latest Top 25 Associated Press poll but should get more national love with a home victory over No. 20 Kansas State on Saturday, Oct. 12 following a bye week. Kickoff is set for 10:15 p.m. ET.

ESPN NFL draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. revealed that Colorado Buffaloes two-way standout Travis Hunter is on top of his big board for the 2025 NFL draft.

"He has been No. 1 on my Big Board all season, and he's not going anywhere," Kiper wrote. "The hand-eye coordination, ball skills and quickness are all outstanding. And the way he thinks about the game continues to catch my attention. This is a guy who has played essentially the entire game every week, yet he's still so plugged in that he's out there counting how many guys are on the field on punt plays."

"Simply put, Hunter is doing things we rarely, if ever, see in college football; he has six TD catches and two interceptions," he added.

The 21-year-old has excelled on both sides of the ball once again this season, as his 46 catches through five games are the most among all Big 12 players. Hunter has also recorded 561 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 112.2 yards per game.

He's made an impact at cornerback as well, racking up 16 tackles and two interceptions to go along with a forced fumble.

TRAVIS HUNTER HIT THE HEISMAN POSE AFTER THIS ABSURD INT 😱🏆

(via @CFBONFOX)
pic.twitter.com/mjdq6ScruC

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 28, 2024

The heavy workload hasn't bothered Hunter, as he missed just two total offensive and defensive snaps throughout the entirety of Colorado's season-opening win over North Dakota State.

Travis Hunter only missed TWO snaps the entire game on offense and defense 🤯

Ridiculous stamina 😲

(via @PFF) pic.twitter.com/L9OL1xQg3D

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 31, 2024

Hunter was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the latest top-10 mock draft from Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department.

If he's able to maintain his individual production while helping the Buffaloes improve even further upon their 4-1 start to the year, the buzz surrounding him as a potential top draft choice should continue to increase.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders declined to box two-way star Travis Hunter into one position when pressed by former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson.

During Sunday's episode of his Nightcap show with Shannon Sharpe, Johnson told Sanders he believes Hunter is a better wide receiver than cornerback and sought the coach's opinion on the matter.

"I ain't telling ya nothing," Sanders said. "I'm treating you like a pro scout. You're gonna have to find out on your own. I know the answer."

Coach Prime made the point that Hunter has had "more opportunities" to shine as a wideout, which doesn't necessarily mean he's better there or wouldn't excel as a cornerback.

Sanders went on to say that clearly defining one position for Hunter could present a dilemma.

Fans would want to see him line up at receiver if were exclusively a defensive back. In the opposite situation, the calls for Hunter to play defense might be equally loud if a team's corner was routinely getting burned while his skills were only being utilized on offense.

The junior has remained one of the most electric talents in college football through Colorado's 4-1 start. He has 46 receptions for 561 yards and six touchdowns along with 15 tackles, two interceptions and three pass breakups.

As much as Sanders doesn't want to put a limit on his player's usage, there will probably come a time when Hunter has to chose one position over the other.

There simply isn't a modern-day precedent for somebody balancing offensive and defensive duties in the NFL for a sustained period of time.

In 1996, Sanders did a little bit of everything by lining up at cornerback, wide receiver and on special teams, but he's a clear exception. And even then, that one year was a clear outlier in his Hall of Fame career. His 475 receiving yards in 1996 accounted for more than half of his career total (784 yards).

For now, fans should enjoy Hunter's two-way exploits while they can without worrying how his game translates to the NFL.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders discussed influencing the potential NFL draft location for his son, Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

Sanders joked that he'd follow in the footsteps of prior draft situations such as Eli Manning, LaVar Ball and LeBron James during an appearance on the Nightcap show with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson (30:45 mark).

"Honestly, we've talked about it extensively," Sanders explained. "I talk to a multitude of teams at practice every day, but I want what's best for him. I want him to be happy as well. You really don't get to dictate where your son gets to go because there's a draft process, but you know us. You know how we are, we know who ain't trying to win in the NFL. You know who's consistently in the basement year after year after year. You don't want that situation for your kid or your family members. Nobody, none of them. So we know what time it is."

During the 2004 NFL draft, Eli Manning was selected by the Chargers with the No. 1 overall pick when they were formerly in San Diego. However, Manning refused to play with the team and was eventually traded to the New York Giants.

"It was my decision having talked with my agent, coaches, [general managers] and owners," Manning explained in 2021, via CBS Sports' John Breech. "Going through the draft process, I was just worried about the Chargers organization at the time. I felt it was the right decision and I had a little pull."

LaVar Ball, the father of Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball and Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball, was vocal ahead of Lonzo's transition to the NBA.

"All I said was that my boy is going to play for the Lakers, and I'm going to speak it into existence," Ball said in Feb. 2017 before his son was eventually selected by Los Angeles with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 draft (per ESPN).

The Lakers drafted Bronny James with a second-round pick in June after his freshman season at USC. With LeBron already on the roster, they became the first active father-son duo in NBA history.

As for Shedeur, the 22-year-old could find himself on an NFL roster in 2025 if he finishes the year strong. He's completed 70.1 percent of his throws for 1,630 yards and 14 touchdowns compared to just three interceptions through five starts.

While Deion playfully alluded to Manning and Ball, it's clear that he's been discussing future NFL destinations with his son as he progresses through his senior season.

Colorado's third straight win earned the attention of the voters from the Associated Press Poll.

The Buffs earned one vote in Sunday's Week 6 poll, though they remained unranked, following Saturday's 48-21 blowout over UCF. It was the first time since the Week 2 poll that Colorado received any votes. The team has not cracked the top-25 this season, though it is certainly tending in the right direction.

Travis Hunter’s 23 yard TD 🏃@TravisHunterJr x #GoBuffs

📺: @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/cAvU63gUgB

— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) September 28, 2024

Shedeur Sanders DART to Will Sheppard for a 47 yard TD 🎯@ShedeurSanders x @WillShep20

📺: @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/Kp7z5re6hV

— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) September 28, 2024

Colorado now has a pair of Big 12 wins and is tied with BYU and Texas Tech atop the conference. Those two victories couldn't have been more different for the Buffs—the team needed a final play Hail Mary just to force overtime against the Bears before blowing out UCF despite coming into the contest as double-digit underdogs.

"I feel like we're trending in the right direction," head coach Deion Sanders told reporters after Saturday's win. "I feel like you guys are seeing the fruit of a lot of hard work, a lot of dedication, great hires. Bringing the right guys in with the right attitude, the right work ethic. I love where we are as a program. I really do. Could we be better? Of course, I think everyone can, but I know we're trending in the right direction."

great team win 💪 pic.twitter.com/vPAHdC5Kfc

— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) September 29, 2024

The Buffs now have a bye week before continuing their Big 12 schedule, with matchups against Kansas State, Arizona, Cincinnati, Texas Tech, Utah, Kansas and Oklahoma State to close the season.

Another consecutive win or two will make it hard for AP voters to justify keeping Colorado out of the Top 25.

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders advised his players not to do anything "crazy" following Saturday's 48-21 win over UCF.

"So guys, let's not do anything crazy," he said in his postgame speech to the team in the locker room. "You know how I am, no means no. Don't get crazy on the plane, don't do nothing that will prohibit you from playing after that break."

Coach Prime Postgame Speech 🔥

🎥 : @DeionSandersJr pic.twitter.com/ve8L0BkHQc

— We Coming 🦬 (@SkoBuffsGoBuffs) September 29, 2024

Spirits are understandably high in Boulder, however, after the Buffaloes reeled off their third straight win and moved to 4-1 on the season. Saturday's win was especially sweet after the Buffs came into the game as double-digit underdogs against the Knights.

"We're underdogs every week," Sanders told reporters after the game. "Ain't nobody want to see us win except for our fan base. That's just the nature of the game. We're not mad about it. We know who we are."

This is Colorado's best performance of the Coach Prime Era. Buffs will be 4-1, 2-0 in the Big 12.

— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) September 28, 2024

We might need to start reconsidering Colorado's ceiling in the Big 12.

— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoATH) September 28, 2024

@CUBuffsFootball may have #1 & #2 in the draft this season. But can we please talk about the job @DeionSanders is doing at Colorado! The team is playing well on both sides of the football.

— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) September 28, 2024

Colorado's four wins haven't all been so easy, of course. In fact, drama has been the team's calling card to this point.

Colorado opened its season by narrowly beating North Dakota State, an FCS school. A 28-10 loss followed against Nebraska, followed by a 28-9 win over rivals Colorado State, a 38-31 win over Baylor that included a Buffs' Hail Mary touchdown as time expired to force overtime and now the blowout win over UCF.

The star duo of quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter paced Saturday's win. The former threw for 290 yards and three touchdowns, while the latter caught nine passes for 89 yards and a touchdown on offense and posted a touchdown on defense, bolstering his Heisman Trophy campaign.

Shedeur Sanders DART to Will Sheppard for a 47 yard TD 🎯@ShedeurSanders x @WillShep20

📺: @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/Kp7z5re6hV

— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) September 28, 2024

"We could be in a whole different place right now," Deion Sanders told reporters Saturday. "But we're 4-1 going into the break, and I'm so excited, you have no idea. It's gonna be a really good plane ride tonight."

It's easier to stay focused on the task at hand when you're fueled by providing doubters wrong.

Just ask Shedeur Sanders.

The Colorado quarterback was asked how he remains focused amid potential distractions after Saturday's 48-21 victory over UCF and told reporters, "By remembering you were just an HBCU kid that couldn't do it at a Power 5 level. I don't forget anything, I don't forget what anybody said."

Shedeur Sanders on how he stay focused :

“By remembering that you was just a HBCU kid that couldn’t do it on the Power 5 level” pic.twitter.com/9dOZiBRkM6

— We Coming 🦬 (@SkoBuffsGoBuffs) September 29, 2024

While Sanders is now starring in the Big 12 for the Buffaloes, he started his collegiate career in the HBCU at Jackson State.

He thrived while there and led the Tigers to an undefeated regular season and SWAC title in his first season before guiding them to another conference title in his second year.

Despite that success, there were surely plenty of people who didn't think he would find a similar level of success moving to a power conference team. And Colorado going 4-8 overall and 1-8 in Pac-12 conference play in 2023 surely added more doubt from those who didn't believe in Sanders even if he turned in a number of impressive individual showings.

Thus far, things are different in 2024.

Colorado is off to a 2-0 start in Big 12 play thanks to a stunning win over Baylor and a statement victory over UCF. Sanders launched a Hail Mary to LaJohntay Wester on the final play of regulation against the Bears to force overtime and then guided the Buffaloes to a win in the extra period.

But it was Saturday's road win over the Knights that removed some of the doubt that the Baylor victory was a Hail Mary-inspired fluke.

Colorado went on the road as underdogs and came away with a convincing 27-point victory behind 290 passing yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions from Sanders. The timing was also notable, as the Buffaloes also started 3-1 last season before collapsing.

They don't look like they're going to collapse this year.

With Sanders and versatile star Travis Hunter leading the way, they could challenge in a Big 12 that doesn't offer as many daunting opponents as last year's Pac-12. Games against Kansas State, Arizona and Utah, among others, won't be easy, but having a quarterback like Sanders elevates the overall ceiling for the team.

Especially if he is using outside doubt as even more motivation.

Travis Hunter was dominant on Saturday, helping Colorado take down UCF by the final score of 48-21 in FBC Mortgage Stadium.

Head coach Deion Sanders' team secured a statement win against a Big 12 opponent, as the Knights entered the contest with a 3-0 record.

Hunter flashed his two-way talent throughout the game, hauling in nine of his 10 targets for 79 yards and a touchdown.

SHEDEUR FINDS TRAVIS HUNTER FOR THE TD 🔥@CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/b4ylP3MsPi

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 28, 2024

He also made an impact at cornerback, finishing with a tackle and an interception. Hunter picked off Knights signal-caller KJ Jefferson in the third quarter before hitting the Heisman Trophy pose in the end zone.

WHAT AN INTERCEPTION BY TRAVIS HUNTER

He makes the play and hits the Heisman pose 🔥@CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/cF3MLeOpuM

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 28, 2024

This pic of Travis Hunter hitting the Heisman pose is TOUGH 😮‍💨

(via @RyanGreeneDNVR, @DNVR_Sports) pic.twitter.com/dioLqnAVJz

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 28, 2024

Fans, pundits and former players alike called for him to earn more consideration as a Heisman front-runner.

Travis Hunter.

The best player in the country.

No debate.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 28, 2024

Travis Hunter is generational.

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 28, 2024

My man hit the heisman on they ass.. imagine that heisman commercial when I bring some help on defense😂😂 #buildyourlegend

— Charles Woodson (@CharlesWoodson) September 28, 2024

Travis Hunter my goodness!!! Soooooo ridiculously talented.

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) September 28, 2024

Travis Hunter is Unreal man! 😱😱😱😱

— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) September 28, 2024

And Travis Hunter just picked off another pass. He's so far ahead of everyone in the Heisman race, he cannot be seen. https://t.co/5NJunHLY9Y

— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) September 28, 2024

Might as well just give Travis Hunter the trophy right now. This kid is absolutely unreal. https://t.co/88xubmvaeb

— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) September 28, 2024

Best game of the Deion Sanders era and the best player in the country resides in Colorado 🔥 pic.twitter.com/iq86R5AdzR

— Denver Broncos 365 (@DailyBroncos) September 28, 2024

I’ve seen enough give Travis Hunter the Heisman trophy NOW

— Overtime (@overtime) September 28, 2024

Shedeur Sanders also wrapped up an impressive performance on Saturday, bouncing back after he was picked off on the Buffs' first drive of the game. He looked comfortable in the pocket against a Knights defense that has struggled to pressure opposing quarterbacks to start the season.

Sanders finished 28-of-35 for 280 yards and three touchdowns to go along with the aforementioned interception. He spread the ball around, completing passes to eight different receivers.

SHEPPARD WITH THE DIVING TD CATCH 😱

Shedeur Sanders throws a DIME and Will Sheppard hauls it in for @CUBuffsFootball 🎯 pic.twitter.com/PshaYRmzHu

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 28, 2024

It was a balanced effort from Colorado, as its defense stepped up against a UCF team that entered the contest averaging 375.7 rushing yards per game, the best mark in the country. The Knights were limited to just 176 yards on the ground against the Buffaloes.

Colorado is dominating UCF. This might end up being the Buffs most complete performance under Deion Sanders, given the competition. UCF has a lot of talented pieces.

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) September 28, 2024

@CUBuffsFootball may have #1 & #2 in the draft this season. But can we please talk about the job @DeionSanders is doing at Colorado! The team is playing well on both sides of the football.

— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) September 28, 2024

Colorado just played the greatest half of football I’ve ever seen them play. They look good

— MattBeGreat (@mattbegreatyt) September 28, 2024

This is far and away the best game Colorado has played under Coach Prime. And possibly the most balanced, complete game CU has played in 20+ years

— Chad Andrus (@chadandrus) September 28, 2024

gotta tip your hat to Colorado. they’ve made some significant improvements from last year to this year.

— Mad Max (@maxphelps) September 28, 2024

Following a loss to Nebraska on Sept. 7, the Buffs reeled off three straight victories and have already matched their win total from the 2023 season. Sanders' team will look to extend the winning streak to four in a matchup with No. 23 Kansas State on Oct. 12.