Colorado Buffaloes Rally to Win Over North Dakota State in Season Opener

BOULDER — The University of Colorado Buffaloes showcased their resilience in their season opener, overcoming an early deficit to secure a 31-26 victory against North Dakota State on Thursday night at Folsom Field.

Under the leadership of head coach Deion ‘Coach Prime‘ Sanders, the Buffaloes trailed 20-17 at halftime. However, they came back strong in the second half, scoring 14 unanswered points that shifted the momentum of the game in their favor.

Quarterback Sanders was pivotal in the win, completing 26 out of 34 attempts for a remarkable 445 yards and four touchdowns. Among his top targets was Hunter, who caught three touchdown passes, contributing significantly to the team’s success.

The Buffaloes’ defense also showed improvement after halftime, initially allowing 20 points in the first half but shutting out the Bison until the final moments of the game. North Dakota State scored a touchdown with just 2:19 left on the clock, adding late drama to an already thrilling game.

Following North Dakota State’s touchdown, the Buffaloes managed to advance to midfield before punting the ball back to the Bison. With only 31 seconds remaining, NDSU attempted a last-minute drive, culminating in a Hail Mary pass that fell just short of the end zone, allowing Colorado to secure the win.

Reflecting on the game, Coach Prime expressed mixed emotions. While satisfied with the victory, he noted his displeasure with the defensive lapses that allowed the Bison to score late. ‘You ever felt like, you won but you didn’t win?’ he remarked, emphasizing the areas for improvement.

In the first quarter, the Buffaloes initially took the lead with a quick scoring drive, only to see North Dakota State respond with a successful drive of their own. The back-and-forth nature of the game continued as both teams demonstrated their offensive capabilities.

Ultimately, the Buffaloes’ ability to execute crucial plays in the second half, including a decisive 17-play scoring drive, proved to be the turning point in the game. Sanders completed six critical passes during that drive, which consumed significant clock time and solidified their lead.