Colorado made a statement in Week 5 against UCF. Travis Hunter, nailing the Heisman pose after his second interception of the season, made the loudest statement of anyone.
CU is for real. And Hunter has a chance to win the most prestigious award in college football.
Colorado struggles at first, finds its way (in a major way) against UCF
In the opening possession, the Buffs offense struggled out of the gate before ending with an interception deep in their zone. But the defense responded with an interception of their own, courtesy of Preston Hodge in the end zone, ending the Knights' golden opportunity for the game's first score.
Colorado drove down the field for nearly 5:30 before ending the drive with Hunter's sixth touchdown of the season on a 23-yard catch. UCF came right back in the next possession, taking only three plays to level the score at 7-7 late in the opening quarter.
Shedeur Sanders and the Buffs offense responded with another clinical drive, lasting over three minutes. This drive ended with a Will Sheppard touchdown before the quarter ended.
After a quick three-and-out by the defense, the offense went down the field for over two minutes before ending with a Dallen Hayden 15-yard touchdown run.
UCF scored the touchdown to cut the deficit to one score, but the Buffs generated their final two drives; ending with a pair of field goals from Alejandro Mata before halftime.
The second half was all Buffs. After the Knights missed a field goal, CU's offense generated a touchdown on the run by Micah Welch. UCF responded with a touchdown, but the Buffs' defense, like the previous four weeks, locked down their opposition by limiting to single-digit scores in the final 30 minutes of each game.
Midway through the third quarter, Travis Hunter made his highlight-reeling interception. The play was a gut punch for UCF and gave the Buffs added momentum. LaJohntay Wester joined the touchdown barrage with a late-quarter score. In the fourth quarter, the Buffs cemented the victory on a fumble recovery touchdown from Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig.
Despite the rocky first possession, Shedeur was great the rest of the way. Sanders threw for 290 yards and three touchdowns. Hunter continued to strengthen his candidacy for the Heisman with another solid outing: nine catches for 89 yards offensively, an interception, and a pair of tackles.
The Buffs will return to Boulder for a bye week before returning to Folsom Field against Kansas State on Saturday, October 12.