Deion Sanders could have nothing to complain about after his Colorado team produced a statement victory on the road at previously unbeaten UCF on Saturday, but the head coach admitted he was "really upset" for Travis Hunter.
The Buffaloes were 15-point underdogs heading to Orlando to face the leading rushing offense in the nation, but they made a mockery of that line with a dominant performance in all three phases to claim a 48-21 victory at Bright House Networks Stadium. Colorado improved to 4-1 on the season in the process.
Hunter, in particular, was outstanding, delivering yet another reminder of his Heisman Trophy credentials. The two-way superstar finished the day with 89 yards and a touchdown on offense, as well as a remarkable interception when he leapt in front of a receiver to snatch a K.J. Jefferson pass.
After hauling the ball in, Hunter picked himself off the turf and did the iconic Heisman pose in celebration as momentum grew behind his case to be named the best player in the sport at the end of the season.
The only downside for the 21-year-old was his streak of four successive 100-yard receiving games this season came to an end, with the Buffs playing backups for their final offensive series to close out the win. Sanders said it was one of only few disappointments from a memorable day.
"We're really upset because they just told me he needed like 10 more yards to consistently have his 100-yard streak and we were going to try to get it to him, but we didn't want to be outlandish or do anything crazy to provoke ignorance," he told FOX Sports.
"But Travis is OK with it. He's not playing for that, he just wants to be one of the best players in college football and I think that he is."
Colorado's victory has turned heads across the country, proving its credentials as a genuine contender to win the Big 12. And while Hunter's brilliance was predictable, the dominance of the Buffs in the trenches was not – racking up 128 yards on the ground in by far the Buffs' best rushing performance of the season.
Defensively, the fearsome UCF running attack was blunted while the game was still a contest, and the Buffs finished the day with five sacks, two interceptions and a fumble that was returned for a touchdown by defensive leader Cam Silmon-Craig. Sanders said the performance was the product of his players' dedication in practice.
"We worked out butts off this week," he said. "We had a few distractions because of the storm and we had to get here early, so that gave us really intent focus because it was just with the team, no family members, no nothing. We just locked in and focused. We had tremendous walk-throughs and practices.
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"We protected and we were able to run the ball. We were able to stop the run on several occasions. We gave up a couple of explosions, but this is one of the first times that offensively, defensively as well as special teams, we came all at the same time collectively.
"I'm proud of the coaches, I'm proud of the young men and all of our believers. We had so many fans here and I'm thankful for it. [The players] worked their butts off this week and you saw the results of it, so now it's easier to teach that, it's easier to educate, it's easier to inform. I am so proud of these young men, you have no idea. I'm lost for words, I really am."
The Buffs return to Boulder for a bye week ahead of the visit of No. 23 Kansas State – soon to be ranked in the top 20 after a dominant win over Oklahoma State on Saturday – to Folsom Field on Oct. 12.
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