Colorado football singlehandedly saved by Shedeur and Travis Hunter against NDSU

It cannot be overstated: Colorado football was saved by the presence of Shedeur Sanders under center and Travis Hunter on both sides of the ball in their Week 1 opener at Folsom Field against North Dakota State.

If it weren't for Shedeur's gaudy passing numbers and Hunter's spectacular play-making after the catch, the narrative may be dramatically different right now.

But CU pulled it off. Here's how:

Tough first half for Colorado football defensively against North Dakota State

For the majority of the first half, the visitors were clinical, with long possession drives resulting in twenty points scored in the first thirty minutes of play. The time of possession was in a commanding 3:1 ratio, keeping the Buffaloes' offense on the sidelines. 

Despite the long haul, the Buffs' offense made the best of its opportunities. After North Dakota State delivered a field goal, quarterback Shedeur Sanders engineered a six-play, 75-yard drive, which culminated in a 41-yard touchdown to Travis Hunter.

Following a methodical touchdown drive by the Bison (10 plays, 75 yards), the Buffs counterpunched with a quick 70-yard touchdown by Jimmy Horn Jr.

As the first half wore down, Sanders gave the raucous home crowd the season's first late-quarter rallying drive. Clutch catches by Horn and LaJohntay Wester resulted in a last-second field goal from Alejandro Mata to close the deficit to three points at the half.

The Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter Show took off in the second half

Colorado's defense shifted gears in their favor in the second half and allowed their offense to expand their lead while taking time off the clock. In the third quarter, the Buffs took their lead for good on a five-play, 72-yard drive capped by Hunter's second touchdown from 13 yards out. Hunter's touchdown marked Sanders' 100th touchdown pass in his collegiate career.

In the fourth quarter, the Buffs expanded the lead. On the 17th play of the drive and facing a potential delay-of-game penalty, Sanders threw a desperate pass on the corner, only for Hunter to make a highlight-reeling catch in the end zone.

The Bison managed to conduct a scoring drive with just over two minutes to go, ending with a 20-yard run by quarterback Cam Miller to pull within five. North Dakota State got the ball back with less than thirty seconds left but couldn't pull off the miracle at the end.

Shedeur threw for 445 yards with two touchdowns, one unlucky interception, and 76.4 percent passing. Horn led the Buffs with 198 receiving yards on seven catches and a touchdown. Hunter led the receiving core with three touchdowns on 132 yards and seven catches. 

The victory is the Buffs' first win since October 7, 2023 (at Arizona State), and first at Fulsom Field since the double overtime win over the Colorado State Rams in Week 3 last season.

Next up for the Buffs is their first road game of the year against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday, September 7.