The Colorado Buffaloes faced off against the Kansas Jayhawks in a thrilling matchup at Arrowhead Stadium, where the stakes were high for both teams. Kansas, aiming to secure bowl eligibility, and Colorado, ranked No. 16, both came into the game with plenty to prove. After a wild back-and-forth, it was Kansas who emerged victorious with a 38-24 win.

Early Surge by Kansas

From the opening kickoff, it was clear that Kansas was determined to take control of the game. The Jayhawks wasted no time in setting the tone. On their opening possession, quarterback Jalen Daniels found Deion Neil with a short screen pass, and Neil—hailing from the Kansas City area—took it the distance for a touchdown. The home crowd erupted as Neil’s run showcased his breakaway speed, putting the Jayhawks up early, 7-0.

Kansas continued to push the pace, using a balanced offense to maintain momentum. Daniels showed off his elusiveness, breaking tackles and weaving through the Buffaloes’ defense on a 20-yard run that left defenders grasping at air. Despite Colorado’s defensive struggles, Kansas’ offense kept clicking, with Daniels using both his legs and arm to extend the lead.

Colorado Battles Back

The Buffaloes were not going to go down without a fight. Despite facing constant pressure from Kansas’ defense, quarterback Shedeur Sanders kept his cool. He showcased his resilience after taking a big hit to his knee, continuing to battle through injury. Sanders managed to lead the Buffaloes downfield, connecting with his star receiver, Travis Hunter, for a series of key completions.

In the second quarter, Sanders found tight end Luke Miller in the end zone for a touchdown, cutting the Kansas lead to 17-7. Colorado then mounted another scoring drive, with Hunter making a dazzling play that set up a touchdown run by Sanders. The Buffaloes seemed to gain some momentum, but their struggles in the fourth quarter would soon catch up to them.

Kansas’ Dominant Ground Game

Kansas kept its foot on the gas in the second half, with running back Devin Neil playing a pivotal role. After a couple of explosive runs, Neil scored his second touchdown of the game, a powerful 5-yard rush that pushed Kansas’ lead to 24-14. The Jayhawks’ offensive line dominated up front, paving the way for Neil to make plays.

Late in the game, with Colorado trying to mount a comeback, Sanders was under heavy pressure. Kansas’ defense, led by linebacker Craig Miller and defensive lineman Jalen Todd, stifled any hope of a Buffaloes rally. Sanders was forced into several tough situations, including a critical fourth down where he couldn’t find the space to convert, handing the ball back to Kansas.

Closing It Out

Kansas sealed the victory with a late 40-yard touchdown run by Neil, completing his hat trick for the day. The Jayhawks’ defense held strong in the final minutes, and with a couple of timely stops, they ensured a well-deserved win.

Standout Performances

Jalen Daniels was outstanding, with over 200 yards passing and some crucial runs that kept Colorado’s defense guessing.
Devin Neil was the star of the day, rushing for over 100 yards and scoring three touchdowns, cementing his place as the game’s MVP.
Travis Hunter did his best to keep Colorado in the game, hauling in eight catches for over 100 yards, but ultimately the Buffaloes couldn’t overcome the Jayhawks’ balance and offensive firepower.

Conclusion

Kansas proved why they are one of the most dangerous teams in the Big 12, pulling off the upset against the No. 16 Buffaloes. With the win, Kansas improved to 6-4 on the season, securing bowl eligibility for the first time in years. As for Colorado, despite flashes of brilliance from Sanders and Hunter, they couldn’t get enough consistency on both sides of the ball and now face an uphill battle to stay in the College Football Playoff race.

This game was a showcase of Kansas’ growth as a program, while Colorado’s struggles in key moments continued to haunt them. It was a thrilling contest that will be remembered for Neil’s dominant performance and Kansas’ resilience in the face of adversity.

Final Score:

Kansas Jayhawks 38, Colorado Buffaloes 24