Colorado got its 2024 season off to a strong start with a 31-26 home win over FCS powerhouse North Dakota State on Thursday night in Boulder.

As Colorado expected going into the game, the Buffaloes had their hands full with the well-coached Bison. Ultimately, Colorado star Travis Hunter’s three touchdowns were key in a game where playmaking was a priority.

After North Dakota State scored a touchdown with 2:19 left in the game, Colorado’s lead was cut to 31-26. The Buffaloes got the ball back, hoping to get a first down and possibly run out the clock.

North Dakota State put Colorado in a 3rd and 8 situation with 1:52 to play. Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders threw a pass intended for LaJohntay Wester deep down the left sideline that was incomplete. However, North Dakota State was flagged for pass interference, giving the Buffaloes a new set of downs.

North Dakota State had only one timeout left, so the game would effectively be over if Colorado had taken three straight kneel downs. At best, North Dakota State would have gotten the ball with less than 10 seconds remaining if Colorado had run out the clock.

Instead, Colorado threw a first down incompletion deep down the left sideline, again intended for Wester, which gave North Dakota State some time back on the clock if they got a stop. The Bison forced a punt on two straight runs by Colorado on second and third down, getting the ball back with 31 seconds left. But with no timeouts and 92 yards to go, Colorado was able to secure the win.

Sanders defended the decision-making after the game.

“You want first downs,” Sanders told reporters after the win. “If you want to run out the clock … you’ve got to look out there and say, ‘I’ve got one-on-ones here and I haven’t seen one-on-ones all game. So I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do to move these chains.’ And that’s what it is.”

Shedeur Sanders threw for 445 yards and four touchdowns in the win, but the Buffaloes’ running game was stagnant at best. Deion Sanders also discussed the running game after the win.

“You’ve got to understand that you’ve got to take what people give you,” Sanders said. “You can’t take what you want if it’s not there. What did (Shedeur Sanders) throw four? 445 yards. You think we’re mad? Who’s mad? Oh, they didn’t have much of a running game. Yeah, well, the passing game looked pretty good today. Let’s be thankful that we have one of the best guys in college football who runs it. We’re going to run the ball. That’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to have a lot more balance. Today was just one of those days. You’ve got to take what they give you.”

Colorado heads to Lincoln to take on Nebraska next Saturday night in one of the best games of week two of the college football schedule. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.