BYU defeats Colorado in the Alamo Bowl while Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter play in the College Finals

SAN ANTONIO – The highly anticipated postseason matchup that BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff had dubbed the “People’s Big 12 Championship” turned into a rout as the Cougars defeated conference foe Colorado with a 36-14 win in the Alamo Bowl and quarterback Shedeur Sanders dominated the final game, spoiling Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter’s college career while a large crowd of Buffs fans at the Alamodome remained in disbelief watched.

BYU led 20-0 at halftime and helped keep the Buffaloes in control with three turnovers and two dropped likely touchdown passes. But the Cougars beat Sanders twice, limited Hunter to a highlight-reel touchdown and moved down the field with ease when they had the ball.

Kalani Sitake’s Cougars, picked by the Big 12 media in the preseason to finish 13th in the 16-team league, only to finish 11-2 and be part of a four-way Tied for first place in the conference, they continued their winning streak, as they have done most of the season. Colorado gained just 66 yards on 23 plays in the first half, with 58 of those yards coming on a stunning catch-and-run by Hunter. The two-way star brought some life back into the Buffs midway through the third quarter, zig-zagging past BYU defenders with a 43-yard touchdown reception that put Colorado on the field for the first time. But Hunter finished the game with just two more balls for five yards.

TRAVIS HUNTER

📺: ABC pic.twitter.com/iiyxw0AJ6m

— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) December 29, 2024

After BYU running back LJ Martin carried the Colorado defenders into the end zone to increase the score to 33-7 with 10:27 to play, many of the Colorado fans in attendance headed for the exits.

Sanders and Hunter are playing their college finals

In November, any chance at the College Football Playoff slipped away from Colorado, but Shedeur Sanders and Hunter kept their word and committed to capping their memorable seasons in Boulder by playing in the program’s first bowl game since 2020 and third since 2007. Sanders, who had the potential to be the No. 1 overall pick in next spring’s draft, suffered defeat for much of the game. Hunter, who already had the Heisman in hand, could be the first non-quarterback drafted.

It seemed like they had everything to lose and little to gain, but no one saw it that way.

“We don’t tap out. We don’t sit outside. “It’s a blessing to be able to play this wonderful game,” Colorado coach Deion Sanders said earlier this month.

Hunter led the Buffs in receiving, and Sanders finished the game with 208 yards on 16 of 23 passing with two touchdowns and two interceptions. On the second pick, BYU linebacker Isaiah Glasker celebrated by mocking the prime-time dance that Deion Sanders popularized as a player, a move that Colorado safety Shilo Sanders has used after interceptions throughout his career.

Before the game, Sanders made his final, traditional walk up and down the sidelines with his sons Shedeur and Shilo. In a pregame interview, he was overcome with emotion and paused several times to calm himself.

Deion Sanders was full of emotions after taking his last walk with his sons Shedeur and Shilo ❤️ pic.twitter.com/PJchjwDKyh

– ESPN (@espn) December 29, 2024

Sanders had coached both in almost every game since they played peewee football, and the chance to play another game together was certainly a motivator for attending the Alamo Bowl as well, although the Buffaloes had no significant opt-outs on the rest had the roster.

On Colorado’s final drive of the game, Sanders was hit from behind and grabbed in the knee. He stood up somewhat gingerly and ended the drive with Colorado’s second touchdown of the day. — David Ubben

A cultural gain for BYU

Sitake, who now has a 72-43 record as a head coach, likes to joke that he is an old BYU fullback who played in an Air Raid-like offense under legendary Cougars coach LaVell Edwards, but the affable one 49-year-old from Tonga has also developed like this. During his time as an assistant to Kyle Whittingham in Utah, he was a defensive coach.

That toughness and courage characterize the Cougars’ squad, which won 11 games for the first time since the 2020 season. The Cougars didn’t just beat the Buffs on Saturday night. They knocked them down all over the field. — Bruce Feldman

(Photo: Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)