Deion Sanders, Colorado get statement win over Arizona

Coach Deion Sanders and his Colorado football team just sent a clear message to the Big 12 Conference:

Beware of the Buffaloes.

Last week they showed they can hang with one of the best teams in the league. This week they showed how good they can be on the road. They beat Arizona on Saturday at Arizona Stadium, 34-7, and didn’t even really need Travis Hunter, their star two-way player.

Hunter returned from a shoulder injury last week to play in the first half, when he caught two passes for 17 yards and made one tackle. But he left the game and didn’t return after the Buffs built a 28-7 lead at halftime.

By then, the game was all but over anyway. Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders completed 23 of 33 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions to lead CU. Colorado’s defense recorded seven sacks and held the Wildcats scoreless after giving up their lone touchdown in the first quarter.

The win improves Colorado to 3-1 in the Big 12 and 5-2 overall, which is one win more than the Buffs had last year in Sanders’ first season as coach. The victory also puts them one win away from being eligible to play in a bowl game with five regular-season games remaining. They next play at home Saturday against Cincinnati (5-2).

Arizona fell to 3-4 in front of an announced crowd of 50,724. Star receiver Tetairoa McMillan entered the game ranked third nationally with 123.7 receiving yards per game but had only five catches for 38 yards.

Linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green, a transfer from Charlotte, led CU’s defense with eight tackles and a sack.

USA TODAY Sports provided updates, highlights and analysis on the game:

Colorado vs. Arizona highlights

Buffaloes tack on field goal to extend lead to 34-7

With the game essentially over, Colorado’s backup players helped stretch the Buffaloes’ lead to 34-7 with 4:42 remaining at Arizona. Backup quarterback Ryan Staub led the short scoring drive after an interception by Colorado cornerback Colton Hood set the Buffs up on the Arizona 23-yard line. Colorado kicker Alejandro Mata then booted a 34-yard field goal to end the possession.

Starting quarterback Shedeur Sanders finished the game with 23-for-33 passing for 250 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. 

Colorado leads 31-7 in third quarter

Colorado didn’t need Travis Hunter to score on its first possession of the second half – a nine-play, 76 yard drive that ended with a 28-yard field goal by Alejandro Mata. The kick extended Colorado’s lead to 31-7 with 5:58 left in the third quarter.

Arizona has punted on three straight possessions, including its opening possession of the second half. 

Two-way star Travis Hunter did not dress for the second half against Arizona and is done for the game after returning from a right shoulder injury last week against Kansas State. Hunter played in the first half Saturday and caught two passes for 17 yards, including a 14-yard catch on fourth down that set up a touchdown.

Fox reporter Allison Williams said Hunter slightly aggravated his shoulder injury and is sitting out for the second half out of caution with Colorado leading 28-7 at halftime.

Arizona linebacker Jacob Manu injured

Arizona has been bit by the injury bug in this game, including the loss of linebacker Jacob Manu in the first half. Manu is the Wildcats’ leading tackler and came out of the game with an apparent knee injury. He had four tackles Saturday before being removed.

HALFTIME: Colorado 28, Arizona 7

Colorado survived a strange sequence in the second quarter in which there were three turnovers in the span of six plays – a botched snap by Colorado, a fumble by Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita and then an interception thrown by Shedeur Sanders.

Arizona didn’t capitalize on it, though. Colorado instead took a 28-7 lead with 1:07 left in the first half after a 6-yard touchdown run up the middle by Sanders.

Sanders has led the Buffaloes to one of their best halves of football under head coach Deion Sanders. He is 15-for-21 passing for 173 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.

Colorado receiver LaJohntay Wester has six catches for 106 yards. Two-way star Travis Hunter has caught two passes for 17 yards. 

Travis Hunter comes up with big catch, Colorado up 21-7

Travis Hunter asserted his return from injury in the second quarter when he came up with a 14-yard catch on fourth down for Colorado. The catch brough the Buffaloes to the Arizona 16-yard line, where they set up to score on the next play – a 16-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Shedeur Sanders to receiver Will Sheppard, a transfer from Vanderbilt.

Sheppard caught the ball on the right side of the end zone and barely kept his left foot in bounds to help Colorado take a 21-7 lead.

The Buffs have scored touchdowns on all three of their possession so far.

Colorado leads 14-7 at end of first quarter

Arizona responded on its second possession of the game to cut Colorado’s lead to 14-7 with 1:17 left in the first quarter. Receiver Chris Hunter scored the touchdown from 1 yard out, capping a 75-yard, 10-play drive for the Wildcats.

Arizona Quarterback Noah Fifita is 3-for-5 passing for 27 yards and a touchdown. Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is 6-for-6 passing for 78 yards and one touchdown.

Buffaloes up 14-0 after another touchdown

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is on a roll again. He has completed five straight passes to start the game against Arizona and has led the Buffaloes to touchdowns on his first two possessions. Colorado now leads 14-0 with 6:16 left in the first quarter after a 1-yard touchdown pass up the middle to freshman Drelon Miller.

Shedeur Sanders set a school record last week with 16 consecutive completions in a 31-28 loss at home against Kansas State. 

Colorado takes 7-0 lead

Colorado recovered an onside kick on the opening kickoff and used the short field position to take a 7-0 lead with 12:37 left in the first quarter. Running back Isaiah Augustave capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run just two plays after receiver LaJohntay Wester reeled in a 46-yard pass from quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Travis Hunter has returned from his shoulder injury last week and was working with the starting offense but hasn’t yet caught a pass.

When is the Colorado-Arizona game?

Kickoff is at 4 p.m. ET Saturday, Oct. 19 from Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona.

How to watch Colorado-Arizona game

The game will be broadcast on Fox and also is available on Fubo.

Watch on Fubo

Is Travis Hunter playing for Colorado?

Coach Deion Sanders said the receiver-cornerback should play vs. Arizona despite his shoulder injury last week. How much he plays is another matter. The nature of his shoulder injury hasn’t been revealed, such as if it was a “stinger” or nerve injury that could allow him to come back sooner than more serious shoulder problems.

Why is MC Hammer at the Colorado-Arizona game?

Hip-hop artist MC Hammer came to this game and has strong ties to it. Arizona’s running backs coach, Alonzo Carter, previously toured with him as a dancer. Colorado coach Deion Sanders also recorded a song and music video with Hammer that was released in 1994 entitled “Straight to my Feet.”

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com