FORT COLLINS, COLORADO – SEPTEMBER 14: Travis Hunter #12 of the Colorado Buffaloes runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Colorado State Rams at Canvas Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Fort Collins, Colorado. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/CU Independent)
Miraculous. Incredible. Unreal. All are words that can describe the University of Colorado’s Week four overtime victory over Baylor University. This week, the Buffaloes will look to keep the momentum going as they travel to the University of Central Florida for a Big 12 matchup with the Knights.
This will be the first all-time meeting between these two schools. Coming off a bye week, UCF enters this matchup at 3-0, with their most recent win being a thrilling 35-34 contest against Texas Christian University two weeks ago.
The Knights will march out one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the country in senior quarterback K.J. Jefferson. Jefferson, who has over 10,000 career all-purpose yards, transferred to UCF after spending his first five seasons at Arkansas.
Against Texas Christian University, Jefferson threw for 230 yards and three touchdowns while adding 46 yards on the ground. The Colorado defense, which gave up 82 rushing yards to Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson last week, will need to be ready for Jefferson’s legs to be a factor on Saturday, as the senior has over 2,000 career rushing yards.
In addition to Jefferson, the Buffs’ defensive front will have to prepare for senior running back R.J. Harvey, who is averaging 7.6 yards per carry on 59 attempts, along with eight touchdowns so far this season. The Knights currently lead the nation in rushing yardage, averaging 375.7 yards per game.
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ numbers this season stand out compared to his opponent’s, having amassed over 1,300 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, compared to Jefferson’s 563 passing yards and five touchdowns. In Jefferson’s defense, he didn’t see the field as much as Sanders in his first two games, which were both blowout wins over the University of New Hampshire and Sam Houston State University, respectively.
Colorado will be getting some key reinforcements this week, as running back Dallan Hayden and defensive lineman Chidozie Nwankwo will both return. Coach Deion Sanders also provided an update on safety Shilo Sanders’ injury status.
“Shilo is on pace to be back,” Sanders said. “I’m not going to count out this week. I’m not going to count that out, but if he holds off this week, that’ll give him two more weeks, which is pretty smart.”
If Shilo Sanders does not suit up this week, he could wait until after the Buffs’ Week six bye and return on Oct. 12 against Kansas State.
Buffs senior safety Cam’ron Silmon-Craig accounted for a career-high 13 tackles last week, following 11 in Week two against Nebraska. Silmon-Craig and the secondary’s ability to prevent big plays this week against Jefferson’s Knights will be key components of the game.
In addition to Silmon-Craig, Travis Hunter’s stellar performance against Baylor included 130 receiving yards and the game-winning forced fumble. He has vaulted to the top of the Heisman Trophy watchlist. If he can sustain his current level of play and eventually win the award, he would be the first two-way player to win the trophy since Michigan’s Charles Woodson in 1997. However, that is still a long way off, with eight weeks left in the season.
This week, Deion Sanders discussed his respect for UCF head coach Gus Malzahn.
“Coach Malzahn, I love him, I appreciate him,” Coach Prime said. “He’s one of my favorite coaches in college football …”
While national attention has been on the Buffs’ miraculous win over Baylor last Saturday, the team will need to maintain its focus against a very respectable opponent.
The Buffaloes open the matchup as 14.5-point underdogs. Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff will be at UCF for the game. Kickoff will be at 1:30 p.m. Mountain time on Saturday at FBC Mortgage Bank Stadium in Orlando, Florida, and the game will be streamed live on FOX.
Contact CU Independent staff writer Ryan Chun at ryan.chun@colorado.edu
