The No. 25 BYU Cougars defeated the Colorado Buffaloes 24-21 on the road in a Big 12 matchup, as Buffs head coach Deion Sanders faced criticism from fans over clock mismanagement in the final minutes.
BYU improved to 4-0 on the season and 1-0 in Big 12 play after Saturday’s win over conference rival Colorado. The Buffaloes dropped to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in league play after taking a 36-20 loss to Houston in Week 3 .
Kaidon Salter completed 11-of-16 passes for 119 yards, one passing touchdown and one on the ground with a game-ending interception throw. Salters connected with Dre’lon Miller for a touchdown who also added a rushing touchdown, finishing with 79 total yards.Â
Meanwhile, BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier had a standout game, completing 19-of-27 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns while adding 98 yards on the ground. Chase Roberts caught five receptions for 49 yards while hauling in two touchdowns and Cody Hagen added a score on the ground on his lone carry.Â
College football fans voiced frustration with Sanders’ clock management as Colorado trailed by three with possession in the final minutes.
The Buffaloes scored on their opening two possessions — first on a 3-yard run by Salter, followed by a 5-yard rushing touchdown from Miller — to jump out to a quick 14-0 lead. BYU responded with a field goal late in the quarter to make it 14-3 heading into the second.
The Cougars kept Colorado off the scoreboard in the second quarter and Bachmeier connected with Roberts for a touchdown to cut the deficit. BYU trailed 14-10 at the half.
Bachmeier and Roberts connected again in the third quarter, giving BYU its first lead of the game at 17-14. Colorado quickly answered as Salter found Miller for a 19-yard touchdown pass to reclaim the lead, 21-17, heading into the fourth.
BYU’s Hagen broke free for a 32-yard touchdown run on the Cougars’ first possession of the fourth quarter to retake the lead, 24-21.
BYU kicker Will Ferrin missed a 55-yard field goal that would have extended the lead to six with just over eight minutes remaining.
With 1:34 left, Salter and Colorado began driving, needing a touchdown to win or a field goal to tie. But on second-and-five with 50 seconds remaining, Salter threw an interception, sealing the win for the BYU Cougars.
The Buffs will hit the road to take on TCU next Saturday.
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