SAN ANTONIO — Shedeur Sanders and Heisman trophy winner Travis Hunter were held quiet when it mattered most, and Colorado’s high-flying offense was grounded by BYU in a 36-14 Alamo Bowl loss on Saturday night.
“That’s a wrap. It’s over,” Colorado coach Deion Sanders said of Sanders and Hunter. “They’re on to the next. They are going to have tremendous careers. They are going to move on. They flush it. They may analyze it on the way home, but they are going to flush it.”
BYU’s L.J. Martin rushed for 88 yards and two touchdowns and Jake Retzlaff passed for 151 yards to lead the Cougars.
Shedeur Sanders is sandwiched by linebackers Harrison Taggert (left) and Isaiah Glasker during Colorado’s 36-14 loss to BYU in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 28, 2024. APBYU (11-2, No. 17 CFP) scored in every quarter in rolling to its second straight bowl win and third in its past four appearances after failing to advance last season.
Colorado (9-4, No. 23 CFP) was held to 210 total yards with only 2 net yards rushing. The Buffaloes had 90 yards in the fourth quarter with the Cougars leading by 29 points.
Buffaloes quarterback Sanders was sacked three times and threw two interceptions before a sellout crowd of 64,261. Sanders passed for 208 yards and two touchdowns while completing 16 of 23 passes.
“It felt great representing Colorado and bringing it back to where it was in the past,” Shedeur Sanders said. “We laid the foundation of the program and it’s safer for the other players coming in to pick up where we left off.”
Meanwhile, Hunter had four receptions for 106 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown from Sanders with 6:14 remaining in the third quarter.
Travis Hunter is upended by Tommy Prassas (bottom left) during the second half of Colorado’s loss to BYU in the Alamo Bowl. APColorado’s offensive woes started early against BYU.
The Buffaloes failed to convert on fourth-and-1 at the Cougars 49-yard line when Sanders’ pass to Will Sheppard fell incomplete.
BYU then marched 52 yards for its first touchdown on a 1-yard run by Martin with four minutes remaining in the first quarter. Cougars sophomore Parker Kingston returned a punt 64 yards for a TD to put BYU up 17-0 with 5:32 left in the first half.
Shedeur Sanders is tackled by safety Raider Damuni during Colorado’s loss to BYU in the Alamo Bowl. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConThe Buffaloes were shut out in the first half while being limited to 61 total yards, including minus-nine yards rushing on 12 carries.
Sione I. Moa added a 13-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter for the Cougars. Will Ferrin added field goals of 51 and 54 yards for BYU.
The Buffaloes entered the game averaging 34.5 points per game, which was 22nd in the nation, but struggled against the Cougars.
