The 2024 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado Boulder as a member of the Big 12 Conference during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Colorado rejoined the Big 12 Conference after having originally being a charter member of the conference before leaving for the Pac-12 Conference in 2010. The Buffaloes were led by second-year head coach Deion Sanders. They played their home games on campus at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado.
Following a win over Cincinnati on October 26, the Buffaloes became bowl eligible for the first time since the shortened 2020 season and for the first time in a full season since 2016.[1] Colorado was a contender to the Big 12 Championship and potentially the College Football Playoff.[2][3] However, a loss to Kansas in week 13 and Arizona State, BYU, and Iowa State winning tiebreaker games the following week eliminated the Buffaloes from contention.[4][5][6] Nevertheless, Colorado accepted an invitation to play in the Alamo Bowl against conference opponent BYU after the conclusion of the regular season where they were defeated by a score of 36–14.[7][8] At the end of the season, the Buffaloes finished ranked 25 in the both final AP and Coaches polls, their first finish in the top 25 since 2016.[9]
Colorado cornerback and wide receiver Travis Hunter was awarded the Heisman Trophy for his performance during the season, becoming the second Buffalo to win the Heisman.[10][11]
Preseason
Spring game
The Colorado Buffaloes spring game was held on April 27, 2024, at Folsom Field.[12] The game was televised by the Pac-12 Network. It was the last ever Colorado football game on that network.[13]
The Big 12 media preseason poll was released on July 2, 2024. The Buffaloes were predicted to finish in 11th place in the conference.[14]
Big 12
| Predicted finish
|
Team
|
Votes (1st place)
|
| 1 |
Utah |
906 (20)
|
| 2 |
Kansas State |
889 (19)
|
| 3 |
Oklahoma State |
829 (14)
|
| 4 |
Kansas |
772 (5)
|
| 5 |
Arizona |
762 (3)
|
| 6 |
Iowa State |
661
|
| 7 |
West Virginia |
581
|
| 8 |
UCF |
551
|
| 9 |
Texas Tech |
532
|
| 10 |
TCU |
436
|
| 11 |
Colorado |
400
|
| 12 |
Baylor |
268
|
| 13 |
BYU |
215
|
| 14 |
Cincinnati |
196
|
| 15 |
Houston |
157
|
| 16 |
Arizona State |
141
|
Schedule
The Colorado Buffaloes and the Big 12 announced the 2024 football schedule on January 30, 2024.[15][16][17]
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
|---|
| 6:00 p.m. | No. 2 (FCS) North Dakota State* | | | ESPN | W 31–26 | 49,438 |
| September 7 | 5:30 p.m. | at Nebraska* | | | NBC | L 10–28 | 86,906 |
| September 14 | 5:30 p.m. | at Colorado State* | | | CBS | W 28–9 | 40,099 |
| September 21 | 6:00 p.m. | Baylor | | | FOX | W 38–31 OT | 52,794 |
| September 28 | 1:30 p.m. | at UCF | | | FOX | W 48–21 | 45,702 |
| October 12 | 8:15 p.m. | No. 18 Kansas State | | | ESPN | L 28–31 | 53,972 |
| October 19 | 2:00 p.m. | at Arizona | | | FOX | W 34–7 | 50,724 |
| October 26 | 8:15 p.m. | Cincinnati | | | ESPN | W 34–23 | 53,202 |
| November 9 | 2:00 p.m. | at Texas Tech | No. 20 | | FOX | W 41–27 | 60,229 |
| November 16 | 10:00 a.m. | Utah | No. 17 | | FOX | W 49–24 | 54,646 |
| November 23 | 1:30 p.m. | at Kansas | No. 16 | | FOX | L 21–37 | 56,470 |
| 10:00 a.m. | Oklahoma State | No. 25 | | ABC | W 52–0 | 51,030 |
| December 28 | 5:30 p.m. | vs. No. 17 BYU* | No. 23 | | ABC | L 14–36 | 64,261 |
|
[18]
Rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes | Week |
|---|
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Final |
|---|
| AP | RV | RV | — | — | — | RV | RV | — | — | 23 | 21 | 18 | 16 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 25 |
|---|
| Coaches | RV | — | — | — | RV | RV | RV | — | — | RV | 24 | 20 | 18 | RV | 22 | 22 | 25 |
|---|
| CFP | Not released | 20 | 17 | 16 | 25 | 23 | 23 | Not released |
|---|
Game summaries
vs. No. 2 (FCS) North Dakota State
Game One – No. 2 (FCS) North Dakota State Bison (0–0) at Colorado Buffaloes (0–0) – Game summary
at Folsom Field • Boulder, CO
- Date: August 29, 2024
- Game time: 6:00 p.m. MDT
- Game weather: Clear; 75 °F (24 °C);
- Game attendance: 49,438
- Referee: Stephen Baron
- TV announcers (ESPN): Mark Jones (play-by-play), Roddy Jones (analyst), and Quint Kessenich (sideline)
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- (12:12) NDSU – Griffin Crosa 36-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 57 yards, 2:48; North Dakota State 3–0)
- (9:30) COL – Travis Hunter 41-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:41; Colorado 7–3)
- (3:59) NDSU – Joe Stoffel 7-yard pass from Cam Miller (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:32; North Dakota State 10–7)
- (3:15) COL – Jimmy Horn Jr. 69-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:44; Colorado 14–10)
- Second quarter
- (12:07) NDSU – Cam Miller 7-yard run, Griffin Crosa kick (Drive: 10 plays, 77 yards, 6:08; North Dakota State 17–14)
- (4:33) NDSU – Griffin Crosa 31-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 21 yards, 5:36; North Dakota State 20–14)
- (0:00) COL – Alejandro Mata 27-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 89 yards, 0:56; North Dakota State 20–17)
- Third quarter
- (9:30) COL – Travis Hunter 13-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 5 plays, 72 yards, 2:04; Colorado 24–20)
- Fourth quarter
- (7:57) COL – Travis Hunter 3-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 17 plays, 80 yards, 8:10; Colorado 31–20)
- (2:19) NDSU – Cam Miller 20-yard run, Two-Point Pass Conversion Failed (Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:38; Colorado 31–26)
|
| Statistics |
NDSU |
COLO
|
| First downs |
25 |
22
|
| Total yards |
449 |
504
|
| Rushing yards |
43–157 |
23–59
|
| Passing yards |
292 |
445
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
20–24–0 |
26–34–1
|
| Time of possession |
36:44 |
23:16
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| North Dakota State |
Passing |
Cam Miller |
18/22, 277 yards, TD
|
| Rushing |
Cam Miller |
16 carries, 81 yards, 2 TD
|
| Receiving |
Braylon Henderson |
5 receptions, 72 yards
|
| Colorado |
Passing |
Shedeur Sanders |
26/34, 445 yards, 4 TD, INT
|
| Rushing |
Dallan Hayden |
9 carries, 20 yards
|
| Receiving |
Jimmy Horn Jr. |
7 receptions, 198 yards, TD
|
at Nebraska (rivalry)
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- (10:34) NEB – Dante Dowdell 12-yard run, Tristan Alvano kick (Drive: 7 plays, 49 yards, 3:22, Nebraska 7–0)
- (5:46) NEB – Tommi Hill 7-yard interception return, Tristan Alvano kick (Drive: 0:05, Nebraska 14–0)
- Second quarter
- (6:44) NEB – Dante Dowdell 1-yard run, Tristan Alvano kick (Drive: 9 plays, 86 yards, 4:46, Nebraska 21–0)
- (0:40) NEB – Rahmir Johnson 18-yard pass from Dylan Raiola, Tristan Alvano kick (Drive: 3 plays, 70 yards, 0:45, Nebraska 28–0)
- Third quarter
- (10:38) CU – Alejandro Mata 27-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 49 yards, 2:46, Nebraska 28–3)
- Fourth quarter
- (8:45) CU – LaJohntay Wester 5-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 6 plays, 58 yards, 2:04, Nebraska 28–10)
|
| Statistics |
COLO |
NEB
|
| First downs |
15 |
22
|
| Total yards |
260 |
334
|
| Rushes/yards |
22–16 |
35–149
|
| Passing yards |
244 |
185
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
23–40–1 |
23–30–0
|
| Time of possession |
24:39 |
35:21
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Colorado |
Passing |
Shedeur Sanders |
23/38, 244 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
|
| Rushing |
Dallan Hayden |
5 carries, 32 yards
|
| Receiving |
Travis Hunter |
10 receptions, 110 yards
|
| Nebraska |
Passing |
Dylan Raiola |
23/30, 185 yards, 1 TD
|
| Rushing |
Dante Dowdell |
17 carries, 77 yards, 2 TD
|
| Receiving |
Rahmir Johnson |
8 receptions, 49 yards, TD
|
at Colorado State (Rocky Mountain Showdown)
Colorado Buffaloes (1–1) at Colorado State Rams (1–1) – Game summary
at Canvas Stadium • Fort Collins, CO
- Date: September 14, 2024
- Game time: 5:30 p.m. MDT
- Game weather: Sunny; 87 °F (31 °C)
- Game attendance: 40,099
- Referee: Jonathan Noli
- TV announcers (CBS/Gridiron Radio): Rich Waltz (play-by-play), Ross Tucker (analyst), and Tiffany Blackmon (sideline)/Noah Britt (play-by-play), Jon Reynolds (analyst), and Rachel Vigil (sideline)
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- (07:21) CSU – Jordan Noyes 25-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 48 yards, 04:39; Colorado State 3–0)
- Second quarter
- (05:51) COL – LaJohntay Wester 4-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 12 plays, 85 yards, 05:51; Colorado 7–3)
- (0:58) COL – LaJohntay Wester 34-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 9 plays, 84 yards, 02:33; Colorado 14–3)
- Third quarter
- (10:11) COL – Travis Hunter 2-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 2 plays, 12 yards, 00:31 ; Colorado 21–3)
- Fourth quarter
- (13:20) COL – Travis Hunter 21-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 5 plays, 55 yards, 01:58; Colorado 28–3)
- (9:58) CSU – Justin Marshall 5-yard run (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 03:22; Colorado 28–9)
|
| Statistics |
COL |
CSU
|
| First downs |
23 |
17
|
| Total yards |
419 |
340
|
| Rushes/yards |
19–109 |
31–130
|
| Passing yards |
310 |
209
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
23–40–1 |
22–39–2
|
| Time of possession |
30:07 |
29:53
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Colorado |
Passing |
Shedeur Sanders |
36/39, 310 yards, 4 TD
|
| Rushing |
Micah Welch |
9 carries, 65 yards
|
| Receiving |
Travis Hunter |
10 receptions, 110 yards
|
| Colorado State |
Passing |
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi |
23/30, 185 yards, TD
|
| Rushing |
Avery Morrow |
3 carries, 67 yards
|
| Receiving |
Jamari Person |
7 receptions, 51 yards
|
vs Baylor
Baylor Bears (2–1) vs Colorado Buffaloes (2–1) – Game summary
at Folsom Field • Boulder, CO
- Date: September 21, 2024
- Game time: 6:00 p.m. MDT
- Game weather: Cloudy, 62 °F (17 °C), NW 9 mph
- Game attendance: 52,794
- Referee: Mike McCabe
- TV announcers (FOX/ESPN Radio): Connor Onion (play-by-play) and Mark Helfrich (analyst)/Mike Couzens (play-by-play), Max Starks (analyst), and Mike Peasley (sideline)
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- (8:13) BAY – Isaiah Hankins 32-yard field goal (Drive: 5 plays, 23 yards, 2:02, Baylor 3–0)
- (1:56) COL – Shedeur Sanders 2-yard run, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 6:17, Colorado 7–3)
- Second quarter
- (14:26) BAY – Monaray Baldwin 30-yard pass from Sawyer Robertson, Isaiah Hankins kick (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:30, Baylor 10–7)
- (6:55) COL – Alejandro Mata 43-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 55 yards, 4:41, Tied 10–10)
- (6:44) BAY – Jamaal Bell 100-yard kickoff return, Isaiah Hankins kick (Baylor 17–10)
- (4:19) BAY – Sawyer Robertson 45-yard run, Isaiah Hankins kick (Drive: 4 plays, 54 yards, 1:25, Baylor 24–10)
- (0:50) COL – Omarion Miller 58-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 5 plays, 78 yards, 1:48, Baylor 24–17)
- Third quarter
- (1:00) COL – Micah Welch 2-yard run, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:28, Tied 24–24)
- Fourth quarter
- (5:43) BAY – Hal Presley 24-yard pass from Sawyer Robertson, Isaiah Hankins kick (Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 3:29, Baylor 31–24)
- (0:00) COL – LaJohntay Wester 43-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards, 2:16, Tied 31–31)
- Overtime
- (0:00) COL – Micah Welch 1-yard run, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 7 plays, 25 yards, 0:00, Colorado 38–31)
|
| Statistics |
BU |
COLO
|
| First downs |
15 |
24
|
| Total yards |
314 |
432
|
| Rushes/yards |
41–166 |
42–92
|
| Passing yards |
148 |
341
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
11–21–0 |
25–41–0
|
| Time of possession |
23:52 |
36:08
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Baylor |
Passing |
Sawyer Robertson |
11/21, 148 yards, 2 TD
|
| Rushing |
Sawyer Robertson |
9 carries, 82 yards, TD
|
| Receiving |
Hal Presley |
2 receptions, 43 yards, TD
|
| Colorado |
Passing |
Shedeur Sanders |
25/41, 341 yards, 2 TD
|
| Rushing |
Isaiah Augustave |
12 carries, 41 yards
|
| Receiving |
Travis Hunter |
7 receptions, 130 yards
|
at UCF
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- (3:49) COL – Travis Hunter 23-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:28; Colorado 7–0)
- (3:38) UCF – RJ Harvey 75-yard pass from KJ Jefferson, Colton Boomer kick (Drive: 1 plays, 75 yards, 0:11; Tied 7–7)
- (0:10) COL – Will Sheppard 47-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:28; Colorado 14–7)
- Second quarter
- (12:21) COL – Dallan Hayden 14-yard run, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 5 plays, 50 yards, 2:01; Colorado 21–7)
- (8:41) UCF – KJ Jefferson 7-yard run, Colton Boomer kick (Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 3:33; Colorado 21–14)
- (0:42) COL – Alejandro Mata 36-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 3:02; Colorado 24–14)
- (0:00) COL – Alejandro Mata 46-yard field goal (Drive: 2 plays, 7 yards, 0:08; Colorado 27–14)
- Third quarter
- (9:11) COL – Micah Welch 1-yard run, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 4 plays, 63 yards, 1:42; Colorado 34–14)
- (3:38) UCF – Xavier Townsend 15-yard pass from KJ Jefferson, Colton Boomer kick (Drive: 3 plays, 92 yards, 1:20; Colorado 34–21)
- (1:32) COL – LaJohntay Wester 10-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 6 plays, 65 yards, 2:26; Colorado 41–21)
- Fourth quarter
- (5:05) COL – Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig 95-yard fumble recovery, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 1:52; Colorado 48–21)
|
| Statistics |
COLO |
UCF
|
| First downs |
26 |
14
|
| Total yards |
418 |
461
|
| Rushes/yards |
29–128 |
44–177
|
| Passing yards |
290 |
284
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
28–35–1 |
20–35–2
|
| Time of possession |
29:57 |
30:03
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Colorado |
Passing |
Shedeur Sanders |
28/35, 290 yards, 3 TD, INT
|
| Rushing |
Isaiah Augustave |
4 carries, 39 yards
|
| Receiving |
Will Sheppard |
4 receptions, 99 yards, TD
|
| UCF |
Passing |
KJ Jefferson |
20/35, 284 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
|
| Rushing |
RJ Harvey |
16 carries, 79 yards
|
| Receiving |
RJ Harvey |
4 receptions, 92 yards, TD
|
vs No. 18т Kansas State (rivalry)
No. 18т Kansas State Wildcats (4–1) vs Colorado Buffaloes (4–1) – Game summary
at Folsom Field • Boulder, CO
- Date: October 12, 2024
- Game time: 8:15 p.m. MDT
- Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 68 °F (20 °C) • Wind: W at 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h)
- Game attendance: 53,972
- Referee: David Alvarez
- TV announcers (ESPN): Mark Jones (play-by-play), Roddy Jones (analyst), and Quint Kessenich (sideline)
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- (7:06) COL – LaJohntay Wester 25-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 9 plays, 49 yards, 4:02; Colorado 7–0)
- (0:44) KSU – Avery Johnson 8-yard run, Chris Tennant kick (Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 6:22; Tied 7–7)
- Second quarter
- (1:52) KSU – Dylan Edwards 1-yard run, Chris Tennant kick (Drive: 8 plays, 60 yards, 3:26; Kansas State 14–7)
- Third quarter
- (6:55) KSU – Jayce Brown 1-yard pass from Avery Johnson, Chris Tennant kick (Drive: 16 plays, 81 yards, 7:58; Kansas State 21–7)
- (4:44) COL – Will Sheppard 7-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:11; Kansas State 21–14)
- (0:28) KSU – Chris Tennant 48-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 27 yards, 4:09; Kansas State 24–14)
- Fourth quarter
- (6:44) COL – Isaiah Augustave 2-yard run, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 11 plays, 72 yards, 4:37; Kansas State 24–21)
- (3:12) COL – LaJohntay Wester 11-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 2 plays, 17 yards, 0:39; Colorado 28–24)
- (2:14) KSU – Jayce Brown 50-yard pass from Avery Johnson, Chris Tennant kick (Drive: 3 plays, 84 yards, 0:51; Kansas State 31–28)
|
| Statistics |
KSU |
COLO
|
| First downs |
22 |
20
|
| Total yards |
423 |
359
|
| Rushes/yards |
43–185 |
19–-29
|
| Passing yards |
238 |
388
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
17–26–1 |
34–40–1
|
| Time of possession |
35:00 |
25:00
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Kansas State |
Passing |
Avery Johnson |
15/23, 224 yards, 2 TD, INT
|
| Rushing |
DJ Giddens |
25 carries, 182 yards
|
| Receiving |
Jayce Brown |
6 receptions, 121 yards, 2 TD
|
| Colorado |
Passing |
Shedeur Sanders |
34/40, 388 yards, 3 TD, INT
|
| Rushing |
Dallan Hayden |
7 carries, 11 yards
|
| Receiving |
Omarion Miller |
8 receptions, 145 yards
|
at Arizona
Colorado Buffaloes (4–2) at Arizona Wildcats (3–3) – Game summary
at Arizona Stadium • Tucson, AZ
- Date: October 19, 2024
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MDT
- Game weather: Cloudy, 68 °F (20 °C)
- Game attendance: 50,724
- Referee: Cravonne Barrett
- TV announcers (FOX): Jason Benetti (play-by-play), Brock Huard (analyst), and Allison Williams (sideline)
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- (12:37) COL – Isaiah Augustave 1-yard run, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 5 plays, 46 yards, 2:21; Colorado 7–0)
- (6:16) COL – Drelon Miller 1-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 9 plays, 63 yards, 4:52; Colorado 14–0)
- (1:17) ARIZ – Chris Hunter 1-yard pass from Noah Fifita, Tyler Loop kick (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:54; Colorado 14–7)
- Second quarter
- (13:03) COL – Will Sheppard 16-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 3:14; Colorado 21–7)
- (1:07) COL – Shedeur Sanders 6-yard run, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 7 plays, 31 yards, 1:36; Colorado 28–7)
- Third quarter
- (5:58) COL – Alejandro Mata 28-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 76 yards, 4:04; Colorado 31–7)
- Fourth quarter
- (4:42) COL – Alejandro Mata 34-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:42; Colorado 34–7)
|
| Statistics |
COLO |
ARIZ
|
| First downs |
21 |
16
|
| Total yards |
398 |
245
|
| Rushes/yards |
39–148 |
34–107
|
| Passing yards |
250 |
138
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
23–34–2 |
16–26–1
|
| Time of possession |
30:34 |
29:26
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Colorado |
Passing |
Shedeur Sanders |
23/23, 250 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
|
| Rushing |
Charlie Offerdahl |
7 carries, 56 yards
|
| Receiving |
LaJohntay Wester |
8 receptions, 127 yards
|
| Arizona |
Passing |
Noah Fifita |
16/26, 138 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
|
| Rushing |
Noah Fifita |
12 carries, 24 yards
|
| Receiving |
Tetairoa McMillan |
5 receptions, 38 yards
|
vs Cincinnati
Cincinnati Bearcats (5–2) vs Colorado Buffaloes (5–2) – Game summary
at Folsom Field • Boulder, CO
- Date: October 26, 2024
- Game time: 8:15 p.m. MDT
- Game weather: Clear, 55 °F (13 °C)
- Game attendance: 53,202
- Referee: Henry Johns
- TV announcers (ESPN): Mark Jones (play-by-play), Roddy Jones (analyst), and Quint Kessenich (sideline)
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- (9:32) COL – Travis Hunter 3-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 4:54; Colorado 7–0)
- (6:01) CIN – Tony Johnson 6-yard pass from Brendan Sorsby, Nathan Hawks kick (Drive: 7 plays, 74 yards, 3:24; Tied 7–7)
- (0:00) COL – Shedeur Sanders 4-yard run, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 12 plays, 90 yards, 5:54; Colorado 14–7)
- Second quarter
- (9:31) CIN – Evan Pryor 13-yard run, Nathan Hawks kick (Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 5:22; Tied 14–14)
- (3:28) COL – Alejandro Mata 28-yard field goal (Drive: 13 plays, 64 yards, 6:03; Colorado 17–14)
- (0:03) COL – Travis Hunter 34-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 5 plays, 54 yards, 0:30; Colorado 24–14)
- Third quarter
- (5:41) COL – Isaiah Augustave 7-yard run, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 6 plays, 62 yards, 3:10; Colorado 31–14)
- Fourth quarter
- (9:20) CIN – Nathan Hawks 32-yard field goal (Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:04; Colorado 31–17)
- (3:51) CIN – Joe Royer 6-yard pass from Brendan Sorsby, two-point conversion failed (Drive: 11 plays, 81 yards, 3:39; Colorado 31–23)
- (1:39) COL – Alejandro Mata 47-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 2:11; Colorado 34–23)
|
| Statistics |
CIN |
COL
|
| First downs |
22 |
25
|
| Total yards |
351 |
446
|
| Rushes/yards |
32–171 |
40–123
|
| Passing yards |
180 |
323
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
16–30–0 |
25–31–0
|
| Time of possession |
27:18 |
32:42
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Cincinnati |
Passing |
Brendan Sorsby |
16/30, 180 yards, 2 TD
|
| Rushing |
Corey Kiner |
17 carries, 94 yards
|
| Receiving |
Tony Johnson |
4 receptions, 54 yards, TD
|
| Colorado |
Passing |
Shedeur Sanders |
25/30, 323 yards, 2 TD
|
| Rushing |
Isaiah Augustave |
22 carries, 91 yards, TD
|
| Receiving |
Travis Hunter |
9 receptions, 153 yards, 2 TD
|
at Texas Tech
No. 20 Colorado Buffaloes (6–2) at Texas Tech Red Raiders (6–3) – Game summary
at Jones AT&T Stadium • Lubbock, TX
- Date: November 9, 2024
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
- Game weather: Sunny, 60 °F (16 °C)
- Game attendance: 60,229
- Referee: Tutashinda Salaam
- TV announcers (FOX): Jason Benetti (play-by-play), Brock Huard (analyst), and Allison Williams (sideline)
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- (13:50) TTU – Jalin Conyers 17-yard pass from Behren Morton, Gino Garcia kick (Drive: 4 plays, 54 yards, 1:04; Texas Tech 7–0)
- (7:04) TTU – Gino Garcia 53-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 43 yards, 4:03; Texas Tech 10–0)
- (2:28) TTU – Gino Garcia 39-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 32 yards, 3:33; Texas Tech 13–0)
- Second quarter
- (7:33) COL – LaJohntay Wester 23-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 6 plays, 58 yards, 2:28; Texas Tech 13–7)
- (0:30) COL – Alejandro Mata 25-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 74 yards, 4:11; Texas Tech 13–10)
- Third quarter
- (11:00) COL – Shedeur Sanders 7-yard run, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:00; Colorado 17–13)
- (7:52) TTU – Tahj Brooks 2-yard run, Gino Garcia kick (Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 3:03; Texas Tech 20–17)
- (4:25) COL – Will Sheppard 5-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 3:22; Colorado 24–20)
- (1:18) COL – Travis Hunter 23-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 4 plays, 31 yards, 1:58; Colorado 31–20)
- Fourth quarter
- (9:46) COL – Alejandro Mata 33-yard field goal (Drive: 5 plays, 24 yards, 1:49; Colorado 34–20)
- (2:12) TTU – Jalin Conyers 21-yard pass from Behren Morton, Gino Garcia kick (Drive: 6 plays, 43 yards, 1:32; Colorado 34–27)
- (0:51) COL – Shilo Sanders 6-yard fumble recovery, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:00; Colorado 41–27)
|
| Statistics |
COL |
TTU
|
| First downs |
22 |
25
|
| Total yards |
351 |
388
|
| Rushes/yards |
27–60 |
46–113
|
| Passing yards |
291 |
275
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
30–43–0 |
24–41–1
|
| Time of possession |
29:36 |
30:24
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Colorado |
Passing |
Shedeur Sanders |
30/43, 291 yards, 3 TD
|
| Rushing |
Shedeur Sanders |
9 carries, 16 yards, TD
|
| Receiving |
Travis Hunter |
9 receptions, 99 yards, TD
|
| Texas Tech |
Passing |
Behren Morton |
24/40, 275 yards, 2 TD, INT
|
| Rushing |
Tahj Brooks |
31 carries, 137 yards, TD
|
| Receiving |
Josh Kelly |
8 receptions, 106 yards
|
vs Utah (Rumble in the Rockies)
Utah Utes (4–5) vs No. 17 Colorado Buffaloes (7–2) – Game summary
at Folsom Field • Boulder, CO
- Date: November 16, 2024
- Game time: 10:00 a.m. MST
- Game weather: Sunny, 50 °F (10 °C)
- Game attendance: 54,646
- Referee: Kevin Boltmann
- TV announcers (FOX/ESPN Radio): Gus Johnson (play-by-play), Joel Klatt (analyst), and Jenny Taft (sideline)/Marc Kestecher (play-by-play), Kelly Stouffer (analyst), and Ian Fitzsimmons (sideline)
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- (10:08) UTAH – Cole Becker 32-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 7 yards, 4:44; Utah 3–0)
- (7:51) COLO – Will Sheppard 40-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 5 plays, 58 yards, 2:09; Colorado 7–3)
- (5:49) COLO – LaJohntay Wester 76-yard kickoff return, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:00; Colorado 14–3)
- Second quarter
- (5:35) UTAH – Cole Becker 34-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:44; Colorado 14–6)
- (0:49) COLO – Will Sheppard 6-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 14 plays, 85 yards, 4:40; Colorado 21–6)
- (0:00) UTAH – Cole Becker 47-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 36 yards, 0:44; Colorado 21–9)
- Third quarter
- (11:43) COLO – Isaiah Augustave 37-yard run, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 1 play, 37 yards, 0:08; Colorado 28–9)
- (6:10) UTAH – Dorian Singer 40-yard pass from Isaac Wilson, Cole Becker kick (Drive: 1 play, 40 yards, 0:09; Colorado 28–16)
- Fourth quarter
- (13:58) COLO – Drelon Miller 47-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:44; Colorado 35–16)
- (8:34) UTAH – Caleb Lohner 3-yard pass from Isaac Wilson, Spencer Fano run for two-point conversion (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 5:24; Colorado 35–24)
- (4:32) COLO – Charlie Offerdahl 4-yard run, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 5 plays, 63 yards, 1:22; Colorado 42–24)
- (2:22) COLO – Travis Hunter 5-yard run, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 2 plays, 19 yards, 0:50; Colorado 49–24)
|
| Statistics |
UTAH |
COL
|
| First downs |
15 |
17
|
| Total yards |
272 |
405
|
| Rushes/yards |
30–31 |
20–65
|
| Passing yards |
241 |
340
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
22–41–3 |
30–41–1
|
| Time of possession |
35:38 |
23:55
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Utah |
Passing |
Isaac Wilson |
21/40, 236 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
|
| Rushing |
Mike Mitchell |
7 carries, 28 yards
|
| Receiving |
Carsen Ryan |
4 receptions, 78 yards
|
| Colorado |
Passing |
Shedeur Sanders |
30/41, 340 yards, 3 TD, INT
|
| Rushing |
Isaiah Augustave |
7 carries, 59 yards
|
| Receiving |
Drelon Miller |
6 receptions, 108 yards, TD
|
at Kansas
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- (11:44) KAN – Devin Neal 51-yard pass from Jalon Daniels, Tabor Allen kick (Drive: 6 plays, 73 yards, 3:11; Kansas 7–0)
- (2:39) KAN – Tabor Allen 24-yard field goal (Drive: 13 plays, 61 yards, 7:46; Kansas 10–0)
- Second quarter
- (9:02) KAN – Devin Neal 9-yard run, Tabor Allen kick (Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 4:44; Kansas 17–0)
- (7:18) COLO – Travis Hunter 51-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:44; Kansas 17–7)
- (3:47) KAN – Tabor Allen 23-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 3:27; Kansas 20–7)
- (1:51) COLO – Drelon Miller 19-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:56; Kansas 20–14)
- (0:07) KAN – Tabor Allen 25-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 73 yards, 1:39; Kansas 23–14)
- Third quarter
- (11:59) COLO – Travis Hunter 26-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 6 plays, 51 yards, 2:53; Kansas 23–21)
- (7:18) KAN – Devin Neal 1-yard run, Tabor Allen kick (Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:36; Kansas 30–21)
- Fourth quarter
- (11:47) KAN – Devin Neal 2-yard run, Tabor Allen kick (Drive: 14 plays, 70 yards, 8:07; Kansas 37–21)
|
| Statistics |
COL |
KU
|
| First downs |
15 |
26
|
| Total yards |
308 |
520
|
| Rushes/yards |
13–42 |
57–331
|
| Passing yards |
266 |
189
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
23–29–0 |
14–21–0
|
| Time of possession |
19:49 |
40:11
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Colorado |
Passing |
Shedeur Sanders |
23/29, 266 yards, 3 TD
|
| Rushing |
Shedeur Sanders |
4 carries, 26 yards
|
| Receiving |
Travis Hunter |
8 receptions, 125 yards, 2 TD
|
| Kansas |
Passing |
Jalon Daniels |
14/21, 189 yards, TD
|
| Rushing |
Devin Neal |
37 carries, 207 yards, 3 TD
|
| Receiving |
Devin Neal |
4 receptions, 80 yards, TD
|
vs Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State Cowboys (3–8) vs No. 25 Colorado Buffaloes (8–3) – Game summary
at Folsom Field • Boulder, CO
- Date: November 29, 2024
- Game time: 10:00 a.m. MST
- Game weather: Sunny, 33 °F (1 °C)
- Game attendance: 51,030
- Referee: David Alvarez
- TV announcers (ABC): Mark Jones (play-by-play), Roddy Jones (analyst), and Quint Kessenich (sideline)
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- (12:03) COLO – Micah Welch 1-yard run, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 3 plays, 24 yards, 1:12; Colorado 7–0)
- (3:47) COLO – LaJohntay Wester 10-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 11 plays, 65 yards, 5:48; Colorado 14–0)
- (2:09) COLO – Travis Hunter 11-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 3 plays, 28 yards, 1:14; Colorado 21–0)
- Second quarter
- Third quarter
- (14:02) COLO – LaJohntay Wester 69-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 0:58; Colorado 28–0)
- (10:50) COLO – Travis Hunter 8-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 4 plays, 25 yards, 1:43; Colorado 35–0)
- (4:31) COLO – Alejandro Mata 33-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 42 yards, 3:52; Colorado 38–0)
- Fourth quarter
- (14:25) COLO – DJ McKinney 13-yard interception return, Cristiano Palazzo kick (Drive: 2 plays, -6 yards, 0:35; Colorado 45–0)
- (11:05) COLO – Travis Hunter 23-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 6 plays, 69 yards, 2:21; Colorado 52–0)
|
| Statistics |
OKST |
COL
|
| First downs |
10 |
26
|
| Total yards |
147 |
471
|
| Rushes/yards |
31–70 |
29–33
|
| Passing yards |
77 |
438
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
12–34–2 |
34–42–1
|
| Time of possession |
27:31 |
32:29
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Oklahoma State |
Passing |
Maealiuaki Smith |
11/29, 70 yards
|
| Rushing |
Trent Howland |
9 carries, 57 yards
|
| Receiving |
Brennan Presley |
8 receptions, 42 yards
|
| Colorado |
Passing |
Shedeur Sanders |
34/41, 438 yards, 5 TD, INT
|
| Rushing |
Micah Welch |
12 carries, 39 yards, TD
|
| Receiving |
LaJohntay Wester |
11 receptions, 175 yards, 2 TD
|
vs No. 17 BYU (Alamo Bowl)
2024 Valero Alamo Bowl
No. 17 BYU Cougars (10–2) vs No. 23 Colorado Buffaloes (9–3) – Game summary
at Alamodome • San Antonio, TX
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- (7:10) BYU – LJ Martin 1-yard run, Will Ferrin kick (Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 3:46; BYU 7–0)
- (2:19) BYU – Will Ferrin 51-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 8 yards, 2:29; BYU 10–0)
- Second quarter
- (5:32) BYU – Parker Kingston 64-yard kickoff return, Will Ferrin kick (Drive: 3 plays, -13 yards, 2:39; BYU 17–0)
- (0:00) BYU – Will Ferrin 54-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 40 yards, 3:05; BYU 20–0)
- Third quarter
- (8:03) BYU – Sione Moa 13-yard run, Will Ferrin kick (Drive: 9 plays, 55 yards, 4:58; BYU 27–0)
- (6:14) COLO – Travis Hunter 43-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 4 plays, 63 yards, 1:49; BYU 27–7)
- Fourth quarter
- (10:27) BYU – LJ Martin 9-yard run, two-point conversion failed (Drive: 4 plays, 42 yards, 2:32; BYU 33–7)
- (5:28) BYU – Will Ferrin 31-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 4:12; BYU 36–7)
- (2:17) COLO – Sav'ell Smalls 2-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders, Alejandro Mata kick (Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 3:11; BYU 36–14)
|
| Statistics |
BYU |
COLO
|
| First downs |
22 |
9
|
| Total yards |
331 |
210
|
| Rushes/yards |
42–180 |
19–2
|
| Passing yards |
151 |
208
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
12–23–3 |
16–23–2
|
| Time of possession |
35:56 |
24:04
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| BYU |
Passing |
Jake Retzlaff |
12/21, 151 yards
|
| Rushing |
LJ Martin |
17 carries, 93 yards, 2 TD
|
| Receiving |
LJ Martin |
2 receptions, 33 yards
|
| Colorado |
Passing |
Shedeur Sanders |
16/23, 208 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
|
| Rushing |
Micah Welch |
5 carries, 25 yards
|
| Receiving |
Travis Hunter |
4 receptions, 106 yards, TD
|
Personnel
Roster
Recruiting class
| College recruiting information (2024)
|
| Name
|
Hometown
|
School
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Commit date
|
Jordan Seaton OT
|
Bradenton, FL
|
IMG Academy
|
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
|
310 lb (140 kg)
|
Dec 7, 2023
|
Recruit ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: (90)
|
Dre'lon Miller ATH
|
Silsbee, TX
|
Silsbee High School
|
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
|
205 lb (93 kg)
|
Dec 10, 2023
|
Recruit ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: (84)
|
Kamron Mikell ATH
|
Statesboro, GA
|
Statesboro High School
|
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
|
180 lb (82 kg)
|
Nov 23, 2023
|
Recruit ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: (83)
|
Brandon Davis-Swain DE
|
West Bloomfield, MI
|
West Bloomfield High School
|
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
|
250 lb (110 kg)
|
Jun 10, 2023
|
Recruit ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: (82)
|
Eric Brantley DE
|
Valdosta, GA
|
Valdosta High School
|
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
|
250 lb (110 kg)
|
Dec 28, 2022
|
Recruit ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: (79)
|
Omar White DT
|
Valdosta, GA
|
Valdosta High School
|
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
|
325 lb (147 kg)
|
Dec 28, 2022
|
Recruit ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: (79)
|
Zycarl Lewis WR
|
Venice, FL
|
Venice High School
|
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
|
165 lb (75 kg)
|
Jun 11, 2023
|
Recruit ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: (79)
|
Micah Welch RB
|
Milledgeville, GA
|
Baldwin High School
|
5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
|
210 lb (95 kg)
|
Jun 12, 2023
|
Recruit ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: (77)
|
Kyeran Garcia LB
|
Fort Myers, FL
|
Dunbar High School
|
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
|
215 lb (98 kg)
|
Feb 7, 2024
|
Recruit ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: (73)
|
| Overall recruit ranking: Rivals: #55 247Sports: #23
|
- Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
- In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.
Sources:
|
Transfers
Outgoing
Incoming
[20][21]
Notes
- ^ Number indicates number of tickets sold.
References
- ^ Woelk, Neill (October 26, 2024). "Buffs Top Cincinnati To Become Bowl Eligible". University of Colorado Athletics.
- ^ Myerberg, Paul (November 20, 2024). "Colorado joins, Alabama rises in projected College Football Playoff bracket". USA Today.
- ^ Jeyarajah, Shehan (November 9, 2024). "Colorado in driver's seat to reach 2024 Big 12 Championship Game after rallying past Texas Tech". CBS Sports.
- ^ Dodd, Dennis (November 23, 2024). "Colorado becomes latest contender to fall victim to Kansas as Big 12 spirals into chaos down the stretch". CBS Sports.
- ^ Bender, Bill (November 29, 2024). "Big 12 standings, explained: Updated 2024 tiebreakers for Colorado, Iowa State and more". Sporting News. USA Today.
- ^ Woelk, Neill (December 1, 2024). "Buffs Miss Out On Big 12 Championship Game Berth". University of Colorado Athletics.
- ^ Snyder, Curtis (December 8, 2024). "Buffs Selected To Alamo Bowl, Will Face BYU In San Antonio". University of Colorado Athletics.
- ^ Woelk, Neill (December 28, 2024). "Buffs Fall To BYU In Alamo Bowl". University of Colorado Athletics.
- ^ Olson, Eric (January 21, 2025). "AP college football poll, final: Ohio State is No. 1, CU Buffs in at No. 25". The Denver Post. Associated Press.
- ^ Andres, Patrick (December 14, 2024). "Colorado Two-Way Superstar Travis Hunter Wins 2024 Heisman Trophy". Sports Illustrated.
- ^ Woelk, Neill (December 14, 2024). "Colorado's Travis Hunter Wins Heisman Trophy". University of Colorado Athletics.
- ^ Snyder, Curtis (February 1, 2024). "Black & Gold Day Spring Football Game Set For April 27". University of Colorado Athletics.
- ^ Hurlbert, Steve (April 1, 2024). "Black and Gold Weekend Bigger than Ever with Spring Football Game, Post-Game Lil Wayne Concert, and More". University of Colorado Athletics.
- ^ "Utah Picked First in Big 12 Football Media Preseason Poll". July 2, 2024.
- ^ Snyder, Curtis (January 30, 2024). "Big 12 Releases 2024 League Football Schedules". University of Colorado Athletics.
- ^ Hurlbert, Steve (February 7, 2024). "Buffs Homecoming Game Switched to September 21 vs. Baylor". University of Colorado Athletics.
- ^ Snyder, Curtis (April 22, 2024). "Colorado-North Dakota State Football Game Moved To Thursday". University of Colorado Athletics.
- ^ Snyder, Curtis (November 1, 2023). "Big 12 Announces 2024-27 Football Scheduling Matrix". University of Colorado Athletics.
- ^ Austro, Ben (December 9, 2024). "2024-25 bowl officiating assignments". footballzebras.com. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
- ^ "2024 Colorado Football Transfer Portal". ON3.
- ^ "2024 College Football Transfer Portal". 247Sports.
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National championship seasons in bold |