Travis Hunter hauls in unreal fourth-quarter TD grab as Colorado survives North Dakota State

Travis Hunter entered Colorado’s season opener behind a long list of QBs — including his own, Shedeur Sanders — with long shot odds to win the Heisman Trophy at +5000 on most major sports books.

The Buffaloes’ superstar clearly wanted to make a statement in the 2024 season opener after his season came to an early ending last year due to an injury.

Hunter — who starts for the Buffs at both cornerback and wide receiver — posted a career-high in the fourth quarter when he hauled in his third touchdown of the night to give Colorado a 31-20 lead over North Dakota State.

When the Buffaloes needed it most on third and goal, Sanders faced pressure and was forced to just throw the ball on a rope in Hunter’s direction. The ball was thrown inside near the defender, yet somehow the Buffs’ superstar kept his feet in bounds while contorting his body to haul in a crucial touchdown.

3 TDS FOR TRAVIS HUNTER 🐐

(via @Big12Conference)pic.twitter.com/59EIXkjK9L

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 30, 2024

The clutch touchdown catch capped off a night where Hunter hauled in 7 receptions for 132 yards and three scores. The Bison wouldn’t stop fighting though, and made it a 31-26 game with two minutes remaining.

Colorado wasn’t able to get its ground game going at all — just 59 rushing yards all evening — but behind Sanders, Hunter, and Jimmy Horn Jr., the pass game did enough to push the Buffs over the finish line. Sanders threw for 445 yards and 4 scores while completing 26 of his 34 passes. Horn caught 7 balls for 198 yards and a score.

Though North Dakota State had a shot in the final minute to drive for a would-be game-winning touchdown, the Bison came up short and CU walked away with a 31-26 win — the program’s first victory since Oct. 7 of last year.

Sean Labar

Sean Labar is an SEC football contributor for Saturday Down South.