The Colorado Buffaloes defeated North Dakota State 31-26 on Thursday night to earn their first win of the 2024 season.

But man, it was closer than it should have been.

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Colorado head coach Deion Sanders takes the field prior to an NCAA college football game against North Dakota State on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Boulder, Colorado. (AP photo/Jack Dempsey)

It looked like the Buffaloes would decide the game late in the fourth quarter after a pass interference call on North Dakota State extended their drive. However, the Buffaloes decided to throw the ball out on first down with 1:41 left in the game. The clock stopped.

Colorado fell short on the first down marker and punted the ball away with 31 seconds left on the clock.

The Bison had a legitimate chance to get down the field without timeouts and make the final seconds interesting, and that’s exactly what they did. A pair of completions from Bison quarterback Cam Miller moved the ball to their own 47-yard line.

SHEDEUR SANDERS, TRAVIS HUNTER SHINE AS COLORADO NEARLY BEATS NORTH DAKOTA STATE IN SEASON OPENER

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against North Dakota State Bison at Folsom Field. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

Miller needed a miracle to reach the end zone from 53 yards out. He threw a pass six yards short of his end zone. Instead of hitting the ball downfield, it somehow trickled through the hands of Colorado’s defenders and into the arms of Tyler Terhark.

Unfortunately, the clock was at three zeros and the game was over.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders was asked about the final play after the game.

“You don’t want to know. I don’t use foul language, but I thought it,” Sanders told ESPN.

Colorado trailed 17-14 at halftime and gave up just six points to North Dakota State in the second half.

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against North Dakota State Bison at Folsom Field. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

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The Buffaloes will be hoping to go on a winning streak next week when they visit Nebraska, while the Bison will play Tennessee State at home next week.

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