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    • Colorado football can’t pull off a miracle comeback against Kansas State
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    Colorado football can’t pull off a miracle comeback against Kansas State

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    BOULDER, Colo. – Three steps forward, one big step back?

    This is what it looks like for coach Deion Sanders and the Colorado football team after stumbling 31-28 in a wild Big 12 Conference game against Kansas State on Saturday night.

    The loss ends a three-game winning streak that had the Buffaloes chasing the Big 12 title. But it wasn’t just that. They also suffered the loss of two-time star Travis Hunter, who left the game in the second quarter with a shoulder injury and did not return.

    His future status is unclear, as is his once-promising candidacy for the Heisman Trophy.

    In his absence, Kansas State controlled the ball and scored on their first three offensive possessions without Hunter on the field at cornerback – two touchdowns and a 48-yard field goal.

    The Buffs briefly took the lead late in the fourth quarter, 28-24. But they gave it right back with a defensive mistake at the end — a three-play, 84-yard touchdown drive that put the Wildcats up for good with 2:14 left, culminating in a 50-yard touchdown pass from KSU quarterback Avery Johnson to receiver Jayce Brown.

    KSU running back DJ Giddens rushed for 182 yards on 25 carries. Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders completed 34 of 40 passes for 388 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.

    Colorado-Kansas State game marred by injuries

    The loss means the Buffs end the first half of the season with a 4-2 record, the same record they had at this point last year before finishing 4-8. But they are still 2-1 in Big 12 Conference play heading into a road game next Saturday at Arizona (3-3).

    No. No. 19 Kansas State improved to 5-1 in front of 53,972 at Folsom Field – a game that started shortly before 10:30 PM ET and was often marred by stoppages of play due to player injuries.

    Losing Hunter essentially left Colorado without two of its best players: its best receiver and its best cornerback. Colorado’s other top receiver, Jimmy Horn Jr., also limped out of the game in the second quarter and did not return. Then, Colorado receiver Omarion Miller had to be helped off the field in the fourth quarter with an injury after hauling in a completion that gained 51 yards.

    Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders then threw an interception on the very next play near the goal line as the Wildcats led 24-14. But he led the Buffs back on his next series, a 72-yard touchdown drive that cut KSU’s lead to 24-21 with 6:44 remaining.

    Travis Hunter injured in first half vs. Kansas State

    The Wildcats led 14-7 at halftime after Hunter left the game with a shoulder injury in the second quarter. The game was tied 7-7 when it happened and apparently came when Hunter took a helmet on the shoulder of Kansas State safety Daniel Cobbs on a 14-yard catch.

    Kansas State then quickly took advantage of Hunter’s absence on defense by putting together a 60-yard touchdown drive to take a 14-7 lead with 1:52 left in the first half. The Wildcats then scored again on their next possession after halftime, extending their lead to 21-7, with Hunter still sidelined with the injury.

    On the final drive, Kansas State chewed up 7:58 of the game clock and went 81 yards on 16 plays, capped by a 1-yard touchdown pass from Johnson to Brown.

    Hunter finished with three catches for 26 yards and one tackle on defense before being replaced on defense by Auburn transfer Colton Hood. Hunter also threw a block on Colorado’s only touchdown of the first half: a 25-yard catch by fellow receiver LaJohntay Wester in the first quarter.

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