How Deion Sanders' former Jackson State football players fared in Colorado opener

Last season, the Colorado Buffaloes finished 4-8 in their first year under Deion Sanders, the former Jackson State coach who took a number of Tigers players with him.

On Thursday night, they got their first win of the 2024 season in a down-to-the-wire 31-26 victory over perennial FCS power North Dakota State (0-1). The Bison were 11-4 last season and finished third in the Missouri Valley Conference, reaching the FCS playoff semifinals, where they lost to Montana.

Here's a look at how the former Jackson State Tigers performed under Sanders as he begins his second season in Colorado (1-0).

QB Shedeur Sanders

Stats : Sanders' youngest son went 26-for-34 for 445 yards. He had four touchdowns and one interception, a highlight-worthy deflection tipped off a defender's back foot.

WR/DB Travis Hunter

Stats : Hunter showed why he's considered a potential top-five pick in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft, with seven receptions for 132 yards and three touchdowns, tying the record for the most touchdown receptions in a game by a Colorado receiver. Hunter also recorded two tackles and allowed zero catches in 55 snaps played at corner.

DB Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig

Stats : Listed as a starting safety opposite Shilo Sanders on the depth chart released pregame by Colorado, Silmon-Craig recorded zero tackles.

LB Jeremiah Brown

Stats : Listed as a second-string inside linebacker on the depth chart, Brown recorded no tackles.

OL Tyler Brown

Stats : The starting right tackle for the Buffaloes, Brown allowed a QB pressure in the first quarter and surrendered Colorado's only sack of the game in the second quarter

K Alejandro Mata

Stats: Mata had just one field goal, and he succeeded on the 27-yarder. He was 4-for-4 on extra-point attempts.

You can reach writer Josh Crawford @joshua.crawford@commercialappeal.com, or via X @JCrawford5656

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: How Deion Sanders' former Jackson State football players fared in Colorado opener