Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders pushes official in loss that could knock Buffaloes out of College Football Playoff
Entering Saturday, No. 16 Colorado controlled its College Football Playoff destiny. Now, the Buffaloes face a steep hill.
The Buffaloes lost to unranked Kansas, 37-21, in their bid to earn an automatic bid to the 12-team postseason bracket.
The Jayhawks went 17-0 on their Big Day. But, early in the third quarter, the Buffaloes cut the deficit to two points after Travis Hunter’s second touchdown, including a Heisman stop.
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Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) of the Colorado Buffaloes looks to pass against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium Nov. 23, 2024, Kansas City, Mo. (Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
But Kansas responded with a 10-touchdown drive, then forced a three-and-out and found the end zone to take a 37-21 lead into the fourth quarter. Running back Devin Neal scored all four of the Jayhawks’ touchdowns.
Colorado’s next drive resulted in a down, all but a game.
In the third period there was a scheme between the players, and the officials intervened.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes warms up before the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Arrowhead Stadium Nov. 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
While that was happening, Shedeur Sanders shoved one of the officials in the back, prompting legal analyst Mike Pereira to suggest that Sanders was “lucky” not to have been ejected.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAM ISSUES EMBARRASSING SAFETY AFTER GAME DELAYED DUE TO WET FOOTBALL.
It was a frustrating day for the Buffaloes, who lost their third game of the season.
Kansas’ win marked the first time in FBS history that a team with a losing record won three straight games against ranked opponents. The Jayhawks are 5-6 this season.
It remains to be seen what Colorado’s path to the College Football Playoff will be.
Arizona State, now 9-2 with a 6-2 conference record, leapfrogged Colorado (8-3, 6-2) in the Big 12 standings by beating BYU. BYU and Colorado share the same conference record, and BYU’s overall record is 9-2. Iowa State (8-2, 5-2) faces Utah at 7:30 pm ET and will jump Colorado with a win.
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) passes the ball during the second quarter against the Kansas Jayhawks at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. (Nick Tre. Smith/Imagn Images)
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Colorado will need a win at home against Oklahoma State and some sort of combination of losses to Iowa State (home vs. Kansas State), Arizona State (at Arizona) and BYU (home vs. Houston).
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