Colorado-Colorado State combine for 16 penalties in a choppy first half

Colorado and Colorado State combined for 16 penalties in the first half at Folsom Field on Saturday. Here’s what you need to know:

• Colorado State had 11 penalties for 128 yards in the first half. Colorado recorded five penalties for 45 yards.
• Two defensive touchdowns occurred in the first half. Colorado safety Shilo Sanders recorded an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown, while Colorado State DB Ron Hardge III had a 45-yard TD fumble return.
• Colorado State leads Colorado 21-14 at halftime. Colorado is trying to go 3-0 for the first time since 2020.

Reply with one word to describe this hit on Travis Hunter⤵️

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– The Athletic CFB (@TheAthleticCFB) September 17, 2023

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Chippiness in Boulder

The turbulence started well before the match. Colorado State and Colorado players, including Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders, began jawing near midfield, resulting in a large melee. At kick-off, it was fully effective. CSU’s Tory Horton confronted Colorado’s Shilo Sanders after his pick six, and the referees penalized him for unsportsmanlike conduct. At the end of a quarter, the teams had totaled 11 penalties (three for Colorado, eight for Colorado State).

The most notable came midway through the period, when Henry Blackburn delivered a late hit to Colorado star Travis Hunter, who had been biting Rams players before the game. Shedeur Sanders immediately ran to Blackburn to express his displeasure, and the defensive back was called for unnecessary roughness. Hunter left the game briefly but was able to return. The penalties slowed in the second quarter, with Colorado State committing three and Colorado being called for two. — Bug

Celebrity presence improves Colorado games

The presence of celebrities heightened a rivalry game that many may not have focused on, adding to the intensity of the competition. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is on the sidelines. Rapper Lil Wayne performed before the match. Rappers Master P, Offset and Key Glock also watch from the field.

The game even had LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry checking it out. It’s not uncommon for celebrities to latch onto a hot college team. Snoop Dogg was at USC games during the Reggie Bush era. Drake became a Kentucky basketball fan. Luther Campbell loves Miami football.

These are just a few names, but Deion Sanders brings famous fans from all over the country to support the Buffaloes. If this continues, all Colorado home games will have a big game feel. — Jones

Required reading

(Photo: Andrew Wevers / USA Today)