Colorado coach Deion Sanders says Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, different stars ‘going to play’ in bowl sport

Colorado soccer stars Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter each had spectacular performances Friday within the Buffaloes’ rout of Oklahoma State.

Sanders threw 5 touchdowns within the 52-0 win over the Cowboys, and Hunter caught 10 passes for 116 yards in Colorado’s regular-season finale. The 2-way star additionally intercepted one in every of Oklahoma State quarterback Maealiuaki Smith’s passes. 

Earlier than the sport, Shedeur and his brother and teammate, Shilo Sanders, had been escorted onto the Buffaloes’ house discipline by their father, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders. 

Shedeur is extensively projected to be one of many first gamers chosen in subsequent yr’s NFL Draft. Hunter, a Heisman Trophy contender, can be more likely to be a first-round draft choice. 

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Shedeur Sanders (2) and Travis Hunter (12) of the Colorado Buffaloes rejoice after a 3rd quarter landing in opposition to the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Discipline Nov. 29, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (Dustin Bradford/Getty Photographs)

Shedeur and Hunter’s NFL prospects have sparked some hypothesis about whether or not the star gamers would skip Colorado’s yet-to-be decided bowl sport. However the Buffaloes’ signal-caller says he’ll play within the bowl sport.

“It’s a staff factor,” Sanders mentioned Friday. “If me and T and a few different gamers aren’t on the market, the Buffs aren’t going to look the identical. We perceive the items we’re to the staff, the leaders we’re total and the quantity of gamers that will sit out if we weren’t on the market doing it.”

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Colorado wants assist Saturday to make it to the Huge 12 title sport. If the Buffs don’t get it, they are going to be wager to make the Vacation Bowl Dec. 27 or the Alamo Bowl Dec. 28. It will likely be Colorado’s first bowl sport in a non-COVID season since 2016. The Buffs haven’t received a bowl sport since 2004.

LaJohntay Wester (10) of the Colorado Buffaloes celebrates with Travis Hunter (12) and Shedeur Sanders (2) after his first quarter landing in opposition to the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Discipline Nov. 29, 2024, in Boulder, Shade. (Dustin Bradford/Getty Photographs)

Bowl video games have declined in reputation and significance because the introduction of the Faculty Soccer Playoff, and the system is increasing from 4 to 12 groups this yr. 

Although many prime gamers select to skip the second-tier bowl video games, coach Sanders mentioned the Buffs will all present up and play. 

“Our youngsters are going to play in our bowl sport as a result of that’s what we signed as much as do,” the Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer mentioned. “We’re going to complete. We’re not going to faucet out as a result of that throws off the construction of subsequent season.”

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders waves to the gang earlier than a sport in opposition to North Dakota State Aug. 29, 2024, in Boulder, Colo.  (AP Photograph/Jack Dempsey)

Sanders performed at Florida State earlier than making it to the NFL. Final season, the Seminoles bought snubbed from the four-team playoff regardless of their undefeated report. Plenty of gamers opted out of the Orange Bowl, and the Seminoles misplaced 63-3 to Georgia. 

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The Related Press contributed to this report.

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