Recapping Colorado's important win over Cincinnati
The Colorado Buffaloes are going bowling for the first time in a full season since 2016.
With a 34-23 stomping of Cincinnati, head coach Deion Sanders' surging CU football team reached the magic number of six wins on Saturday night. Just as important, the Buffs improved to 4-1 in Big 12 play, keeping pace with fellow conference title contenders Kansas State (4-1), Iowa State (4-0) and BYU (5-0).
Colorado rode the hot hands of Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr. early as the two receivers combined for 184 first-half yards. Defensively, the Buffs held Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby to 180 passing yards and didn't allow a 100-yard rusher.
Below is a quick recap of Colorado's 34-23 win over the Bearcats:
The good
The Buffs finally got off to a quick start at Folsom Field. Colorado scored points on all four of its first-half possessions — three touchdowns and one field goal — to enter the break up 24-14.
You also have to be pleased with Colorado's commitment to the run, especially early. Isaiah Augustave finished with a team-high 91 rushing yards.
The bad
While some of the calls were questionable, the Buffs didn't have a great night penalty-wise. Wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr.'s early touchdown was called back due to taunting and safety Shilo Sanders and defensive lineman Anquin Barnes Jr. were both charged with fourth-quarter unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.
Standout offensive player
Wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter returned from injury in style, finishing with 153 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Standout defensive player
Safety Cam'Ron Silmon Craig (team-high eight total tackles, two TFLs, one sack), linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green (two TFLs, one pass breakup) and Hunter (four pass breakups) all deserve recognition here.
Noteworthy stat
Cincinnati wide receiver Xzavier Henderson entered Saturday with 42 catches for 541 yards, including three 100-yard games.
Against the Buffs? One catch for 11 yards.
Quotable
“It’s big for us because it’s big for the fans," Coach Prime said on becoming bowl eligible. "We don’t go into the season or looking at the schedule like, ‘Oh, we’re only going to win six games.’ We’re not even hitting our peak, nowhere close.”
What's next?
After a bye week, Colorado will face Texas Tech in Lubbock on Nov. 9 (time and television TBD). The Red Raiders lost to TCU, 35-34, in Week 9, dropping them to 5-3 overall (3-2 Big 12).
This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Recapping Colorado's important win over Cincinnati
