Shedeur Sanders throws for 290 yards, 3 TDs to lead improved Colorado to 48-21 rout of UCF

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Shedeur Sanders threw for 290 yards and three touchdowns Saturday to help improved Colorado match its victory total for all of last season with a 48-21 rout of UCF.

Two-way star Travis Hunter had a TD catch and interception for the Buffaloes (4-1, 2-0 Big 12), who have won three straight games following a lopsided road loss to Nebraska.

Sanders emerged as one of the nation's top quarterbacks a year ago after his father, coach Deion Sanders, took over a struggling program and took Shadeur and Hunter with him to Colorado. The Buffaloes wound up going 4-8 but have progressed steadily after a slow start to this season.

“I feel like we’re trending in the right direction,” Deion Sanders said. "I feel like you guys are seeing the fruit of a lot of hard work and a lot of dedication. I love where we are as a program. Could we be better? Of course. I know we’re trending in the right direction.”

Hunter scored on a 23-yard reception in the first quarter, struck a Heisman pose after his second-half interception, and finished with nine catches on nine targets for 89 yards.

Shedeur Sanders shrugged off an interception on the third play of the game and also had TD throws of 47 yards to Will Sheppard and 10 yards to LaJohntay Wester on the way to completing 28 of 35 passes. Dallan Hayden and Micah Welch scored on the ground, helping the Buffaloes rush for 128 yards.

Colorado's improved defense played well, too, slowing down an offense that entered game averaging a nation-leading 375.7 yards per game rushing. The Buffaloes forced four turnovers — intercepting KJ Jefferson twice, once in the end zone — and also denying UCF points on one drive that stalled inside the Colorado 1.

Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig finished off the strong defensive performance by picking up a fumble in the closing minutes and returning it 95 yards for Colorado's final touchdown.

“Football-wise, this was one of the first times that we came out and played a collective game, offensively, defensively and special teams,” coach Sanders said. “Shedeur ... I think he got touched a couple of times, but other than that he ran the ball effectively. That’s what we want. We want that kind of balance. I know these guys can do it. I believe in them wholeheartedly.”

Both teams were coming off exciting comeback wins in their conference openers, with Colordao beating Baylor after forcing overtime on Sanders' 43-yard Hail Mary TD to Wester on the last play of regulation and UCF wiping out a 21-point deficit on the road to defeat TCU 35-34.

Welcoming the Buffaloes to Orlando for the first meeting between the teams capped a day in which UCF hosted the FOX Big Noon Kickoff pregame show on campus, giving coach Gus Malzahn's program the most national exposure the Knights have received since entering the Big 12 last season.

Jefferson completed 20 of 35 passes for 284 yards, including TDs of 75 yards to RJ Harvey and 15 yards to Xavier Townsend. The quarterback also scored on a 7-yard run.

“Extremely disappointing for our team, for the fans. ... To have Big Noon Kickoff was a big deal for the university,” Jefferson said. “For us to come out and not execute at a high level and come up short, it hurts. We just have to get back to the drawing board, put our best foot forward and prepare the right way for our next game.”

THE TAKEAWAY

Colorado: While Shedeur Sanders had another big day passing, the way the Buffaloes ran the ball was impressive, too.

UCF: The Knights secondary was exposed in their narrow victory over TCU. Sanders was sacked twice, but on far too many occasions when the quarterback escaped pressure he was able to find receivers running wide open.

UP NEXT

Colorado: Bye week before hosting No. 23 Kansas State on Oct. 12

UCF: Plays at Florida next Saturday.

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Fred Goodall, The Associated Press