Shedeur Sanders powers No. 18 Colorado to thrilling 43-35 win over Colorado State in 2 overtimes

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Shedeur Sanders threw a TD pass to Michael Harrison in the second overtime after leading a 98-yard drive to tie the game with 36 seconds left in the fourth quarter and No. 18 Colorado rallied to beat Colorado State. 43-35 early Sunday in front of a packed house full of celebrities.

Sanders connected with Harrison for an 18-yard score, then found an open Xavier Weaver on the 2-point conversion. Colorado’s defense took over, with Trevor Woods intercepting Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi’s pass on fourth-and-23 to end the game around 12:30 a.m. local time.

That sparked a celebration as fans rushed the field for a second straight week.

In the first overtime, Sanders waited patiently in the pocket until Harrison got open for a 3-yard score. Fowler-Nicolosi followed by connecting with Tory Horton on an 8-yard score.

With 2:06 left in the fourth quarter, Sanders and the Buffaloes (3-0) got the ball back at the 2-yard line and trailed 28-20. He led the Buffaloes on a seven-play drive that culminated with a 45-yard pass to Jimmy Horn Jr. with 36 seconds left. Sanders hit Harrison for the two-point conversion.

Underdog by 23 1/2 points, the Rams led most of the game. Their outcome was 17 penalties for 182 yards, including a flag for a block below the waist that negated a touchdown in the second overtime.

Rams coach Jay Norvell added spice to the Rocky Mountain Showdown earlier in the week by lashing out at Deion Sanders for not removing his sunglasses and hat during interviews. After the game, Sanders and Norvell shook hands near midfield amid a sea of ​​fans.

Sanders and the Buffaloes fed off the perceived levity throughout the game. Shilo Sanders donned sunglasses after his 80-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter.

Shedeur Sanders finished with 348 yards, four touchdowns and an interception for the Buffaloes, who won their sixth straight game against the Rams (0-2). Sanders was missing receiver/corner Travis Hunter, who was ruled out in the third quarter with an undisclosed injury and taken to the hospital for further evaluation.

Colorado State took advantage of a bye week by finding ways to contain Sanders and Colorado’s explosive offense for most of the game. The Rams tried to crash Deion Sanders’ party, which included celebrities like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and rapper Lil Wayne in the house.

Fowler-Nicolosi totaled 367 yards and two touchdowns.

It was choppy at times, with Rams defensive lineman Mohamed Kamara receiving a finger in the facemask from Shedeur Sanders after a play. Kamara was later disqualified in overtime for a targeted call on Sanders.

Emotions also heated up early on, with both teams meeting at midfield about an hour before kickoff and exchanging a few words. Hunter left the rally to run to the student section and ignite the fans.

Deion Sanders has been the talk of the Buffaloes in college football since taking over a team that went 1-11 last season.

This weekend, ESPN’s “College GameDay” and Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” were both on campus. Some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment came to Boulder, including a mini-concert performed by Lil Wayne in the end zone just before kickoff (Deion Sanders gave him a jersey). “The Rock” appeared on the set of GameDay and took off his jacket to reveal he was wearing Shedeur Sanders’ No. 2 jersey.

TAKEAWAYS

Colorado State: The Rams have lost 17 straight games against ranked teams on the road.

Colorado: The announced attendance was 53,141 for a game where tickets were sold at an average purchase price of $214, according to TickPick. The Buffaloes have sold out five home games this season and are on pace to sell out a sixth (Arizona on Nov. 11).

FOLLOWING

Colorado State: Play Middle Tennessee on Saturday.

Colorado: At No. 13 Oregon on Saturday.

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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll