Deion Sanders holds back anger after Colorado beats N.D. State in season opener

Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Colorado coach Deion Sanders said he was trying to "hold back my anger" about the Buffaloes' late-game effort in their narrow season-opening victory over North Dakota State.

"Let's move on from that," Sanders told reporters Thursday in Boulder. "I'm going to try my best to hold back my anger. But we got a 'W,' so I'm happy."

Sanders' son, Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders, completed 26 of 34 passes for 445 yards, four scores and an interception in the 31-26 triumph at Folsom Field. The Buffaloes, who were favored by 10.5 and led by 11 in the fourth quarter, nearly allowed a late comeback.

Star wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, who played dozens of snaps on offense and defense, totaled 132 yards and three scores on seven catches. He also made three tackles. Wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr., logged seven catches for 198 yards and a score.

The Bison edged the Buffaloes 25-22 in first downs and 157-59 in rushing in the loss. The Buffaloes totaled 504 yards of offense, but allowed 449 from their foes.

"Have you ever felt like you won, but you didn't win?" Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders said.

The Bison went up 3-0 on a Griffin Crosa 36-yard field goal about three minutes into the game. Sanders found Hunter on a 41-yard touchdown pass less than three minutes later to give the Buffaloes their first lead of the season.

Bison quarterback Cam Miller connected with tight end Joe Stoffel on a 7-yard touchdown toss with 3:59 remaining in the quarter for a 10-7 edge. Sanders answered just 44 seconds later with a 69-yard touchdown toss to Horn.

The Bison answered with a 7-yard touchdown run from Miller and another Crosa field goal to take a 20-14 lead with 4:33 remaining in the first half.

The Buffaloes then scored the next 17 points to take a 31-20 lead with 7:57 remaining. Sanders found Hunter with a 13-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter and a 3-yard scoring toss in the fourth as part of that rally.

But the Buffaloes didn't put the Bison away easily. Miller went on to orchestrate an 11-play, 75-yard drive, which lasted 5:38. He ended that possession with a 20-yard run, which cut the deficit to five points with 2:19 remaining.

The Buffaloes went on to take less than two minutes of the clock and punted on their next possession. The Bison got the ball near midfield on the game's final drive, but were unable to find the end zone, resulting in an 0-1 start to their 2024 season.

Miller completed 18 of 22 passes for 277 yards and a score, while rushing for 92 yards and two more touchdowns, in the loss.

The Buffaloes will play Nebraska in their second game on Sept. 7 in Lincoln, Neb. The Bison will host Tennessee State on Sept. 7 in Fargo, N.D.