Deion Sanders calls Travis Hunter the ‘best darn player in college football’
Colorado coach Deion Sanders could not stress enough how much the Buffaloes missed Travis Hunter on Saturday against Oregon. Hunter sat out the game after suffering a lacerated liver in Week 3 as the Ducks rolled past Colorado by a score of 42-6.
That put an abrupt end to the Buffaloes incredible run to start the season and raised the question of just how good they can actually be. Speaking postgame, however, Sanders made it clear that not having arguably their best player was a big factor in Saturday’s result.
“Travis is always gonna be missed,” he said. “He’s the best darn player in college football. How is he not missed? That’s just like you saying you’re writing an article and your pen is missing. That’s how much he means.”
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Hunter’s impact for the Buffaloes was particularly felt on the defensive end as he managed an interception, two passes defended and nine tackles prior to his injury. He was also one of Colorado’s top receivers with 16 catches for 213 yards.
Saturday, however, nothing was working on either side of the ball.
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders came into the game second in the FBS in passing yards. He finished the afternoon 23-of-33 passing for just 159 yards and a touchdown. The Buffaloes were equally hapless on the defensive end to give up 522 yards of total offense, though they did for one interception.
Oregon scored touchdowns on its first three drives to take an early 21-0 lead by the 9:39 mark of the second quarter and never looked back. Ducks quarterback Bo Nix finished the game 28-of-33 passing for 276 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
Colorado will have to be without Travis Hunter for at least a few more weeks, and it’s clear after this showing the Buffaloes will need to make adjustments. Things don’t get any easier next week as they take on No. 5 USC and reigning Heisman winner Caleb Williams on the road.
Travis Hunter expected to miss 3-4 weeks with lacerated liver
At the time of his injury, Hunter was reported to be out 3-4 weeks according to Skip Bayless. That would put his earliest date of return at Week 7 against Stanford, though it’s possible he could be held out until an Oct. 28 matchup against UCLA.
“I’m told Travis Hunter sustained a laceration of his liver,” Bayless said. “Not considered terribly serious, should heal on its own, 3-4 weeks. But definitely will keep him out of Saturday’s game at Oregon and probably out of the following Saturday’s game against USC and Caleb Williams.
“A terrible blow for Colorado just on the football field. Travis Hunter tried to play with the injury — he just didn’t feel right, he was taken to the hospital where he was kept overnight.”