Colorado 49, Utah 24
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While the Utah Utes are not as tough on defense as they have been in recent years, they still have some talent to challenge Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and the Utes had the No. 1 rated defense in the Big 12. Sanders had a mixed outing against Utah. While he made some nice plays, he made uncharacteristic mistakes in decision-making and ball security.
At the beginning of the first quarter, Sanders had a poor read trying to hit a deep cross, and linebacker Lander Barton undercut the pass for an easy interception. Sanders bounced back midway through the first quarter when he lofted in a 40-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Will Sheppard. Sheppard made a fantastic adjustment to stop and cut in front of the cornerback to make a leaping grab. Midway through the second quarter, Sanders helped Utah get back in the game when he fumbled a shotgun snap. Sanders should have dove on the ball, but he tried to pick it up and Utah was able to dive on the ball.
Utah started to get back in the game, but Sanders put it away early in the fourth quarter when he threw a perfect strike over the cornerback and in front of the safety to hit his receiver on the run. He dodged a few tacklers on his way to a 47-yard touchdown. Sanders finished completing 30-of-41 passes for 340 yards with three touchdowns, an interception, and a fumble.
For the NFL, Sanders has the ability to be a starting quarterback. He has enough arm strength and throws the ball very accurately. Sanders has excellent ball placement downfield while also being able to throw precision strikes in the short to intermediate part of the field. Sanders has good instincts, football I.Q., and enough athleticism to use his feet at times to help his line and take yards the defense is giving away. There are things Sanders can improve for the NFL. The number one issue to improve is he has to get the ball out faster as he will hold the ball for too long. That puts too much pressure on his offensive line and leads to him taking unnecessary sacks and hits. Secondly, Sanders needs to anticipate receivers coming open more, as he will wait to see them break open before pulling the trigger on the throw. Sanders is worthy of being a first-round pick and
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Colorado cornerback Travis Hunter is on his way to being one of the top prospects, regardless of position, for the 2025 NFL Draft. He had a solid but imperfect performance against Utah. At the very end of the first quarter, Hunter was Johnny on the spot as a tipped pass floated to Hunter for his third interception of the season. Just before halftime, Hunter made a highlight reel catch, leaping over two defenders for a 28-yard gain. Hunter took a reverse for a short touchdown run late in the fourth quarter. Hunter caught five passes for 55 yards, one rushing touchdown, one interception, and one touchdown allowed.
Midway through the third quarter, Hunter was in man coverage down the deep sideline. Hunter got caught peaking into the backfield, which let the receiver get a step on Hunter running into the end zone. It was a perfect pass, and it dropped in for a 40-yard touchdown. It was the first touchdown that Hunter has given up this season.
This tape won’t help Hunter’s draft grade after giving up that touchdown, but he still had splash plays to help his team win by setting up a touchdown on offense and intercepting a deflected pass on defense. It will be fascinating to see how Hunter is utilized in the NFL. The general consensus right now is that he would be a full-time cornerback and part-time receiver, but some scouts feel he should be a receiver full-time. Hunter looks poised to be a top-five pick next April.
