|
|
COLO |
KANSAS |
Devin Neal scores 4 times, Kansas beats No. 16 Colorado 37-21 as Buffs' Big 12 title hopes take hit
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Devin Neal ran for 207 yards and three touchdowns, caught four passes for 80 yards and another score, and led Kansas to a 37-21 victory over No. 16 Colorado on Saturday that dealt a big blow to the Buffaloes' hopes of playing for the Big 12 title.
Jalon Daniels threw for 189 yards and a touchdown, and the Jayhawks (5-6, 4-4) scored on every offensive possession but their last, keeping Colorado stars Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy candidate Travis Hunter standing on the sideline.
“We controlled our own destiny,” Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders said afterward, “and we fumbled it.”
Now, the Buffaloes (8-3, 6-2 Big 12, No. 16 CFP) need to beat Oklahoma State next week and get some help to play for a title in their return to the Big 12, and ultimately earn the league’s guaranteed spot in the College Football Playoff.
Shedeur Sanders finished with 266 yards passing and three TDs, setting the Colorado single-season record with 30 of them, and Hunter had eight catches for 125 yards and two scores as the two-way standout continued his Heisman campaign.
Problem is Hunter did little on defense, nor did anyone else in an all-white uniform. Kansas controlled the ball for more than 40 minutes, piled up 331 yards rushing and finished with 520 yards of total offense.
“There was a lot of negativity hanging around about what was wrong with this program and what should be done, and all of that,” said Kansas coach Lance Leipold, whose team became the first in FBS history with a losing record to beat three straight teams in the AP Top 25. “They owned it, they kept working, they stuck together and you can see the results of that.”
The Jayhawks, whose back-to-back wins over Iowa State and BYU had given them newfound confidence, suddenly resemble the team expected to challenge for a Big 12 title, before a series of late-game collapses resulted in a 1-5 start.
“We've just played with an extra edge, just in general these last three weeks. We have a different motivation,” said Neal, who also became the first player in Kansas history with three 1,000-yard rushing seasons. “Eventually we were just tired of losing - tired of losing the close ones. We knew what we had to do. It was a matter of doing it.”
The Jayhawks sure did it Saturday, opening the scoring with Neal's 51-yard touchdown catch. They forced a three-and-out and scored again for a 10-0 lead. And when they got the ball back yet again, taking advantage of a misfiring Colorado offense, Kansas churned down field and Neal scampered into the end zone for another score.
It was 17-0 before Hunter, who has emerged as the Heisman front-runner, took a short pass from Sanders and cut up field, deftly slipping between several Kansas defenders and going untouched 51 yards for a touchdown.
The teams traded scores into the break, the Jayhawks holding tight to a 23-14 advantage. The question became whether Leipold and the Jayhawks would rue kicking field goals of 24, 23 and 25 yards rather than going for those first-half touchdowns.
Nope.
After the Buffaloes closed within 23-21 on Hunter's second TD catch, the Jayhawks marched 80 yards with Neal answering the score. Kansas immediately forced a three-and-out, sacking Sanders on third down - he appeared to shove an official in the back after the play - and the Neal scored again to cap an 8-plus minute drive and give the Jayhawks a 37-21 lead.
Colorado's comeback chances ended when Cobee Bryant broke up a pass in the end zone on fourth down late in the game.
“It was fun in the locker room, man,” Bryant said, "just to see the whole team smiling, having fun, jumping around.”
Colorado will lament a defense that was simply incapable of stopping the Jayhawks. Defensive back Shilo Sanders was flagged twice and gave up several big plays, while the Buffaloes were bullied up front by the Kansas offensive line.
Kansas could improbably make a bowl game for a third straight season for the first time in school history. The Jayhawks merely need to beat Baylor in their regular-season finale to earn an invitation.
Colorado plays Oklahoma State on Friday.
Kansas visits Baylor on Saturday.
---
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 all season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Copyright 2025 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
S. Sanders
2 QB 266 PaYds, 3 PaTDs, 26 RuYds |
|
D. Neal
4 RB 207 RuYds, 3 RuTDs, 80 ReYds, ReTD, 4 RECs |
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 15 | 29 |
Rushing | 3 | 18 |
Passing | 11 | 9 |
Penalty | 1 | 2 |
3rd Down Conv | 3-7 | 9-14 |
4th Down Conv | 0-2 | 2-2 |
Total Net Yards | 308 | 520 |
Total Plays | 42 | 78 |
Avg Gain | 7.3 | 6.7 |
Net Yards Rushing | 42 | 331 |
Rush Attempts | 13 | 57 |
Avg Rush Yards | 3.2 | 5.8 |
Yards Passing | 266 | 189 |
Comp. - Att. | 23-29 | 14-21 |
Yards Per Pass | 8.7 | 9.0 |
Penalties - Yards | 8-65 | 5-35 |
Touchdowns | 3 | 4 |
Rushing TDs | 0 | 3 |
Passing TDs | 3 | 1 |
Other | 0 | 0 |
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 2-53.5 | 0-0.0 |
Return Yards | 0 | 24 |
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 2-24 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
S. Sanders
2 QB
|
S. Sanders | 23/29 | 266 | 3 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
S. Sanders
2 QB
|
S. Sanders | 4 | 26 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. Augustave
23 RB
|
I. Augustave | 2 | 11 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Hayden
7 RB
|
D. Hayden | 4 | 5 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Welch
29 RB
|
M. Welch | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Miller
6 WR
|
D. Miller | 1 | -1 | 0 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
T. Hunter
12 ATH
|
T. Hunter | 9 | 8 | 125 | 2 | 51 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
L. Wester
10 WR
|
L. Wester | 6 | 4 | 45 | 0 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Miller
6 WR
|
D. Miller | 5 | 5 | 44 | 1 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Welch
29 RB
|
M. Welch | 1 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Hayden
7 RB
|
D. Hayden | 2 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
W. Sheppard
14 WR
|
W. Sheppard | 3 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
I. Augustave
23 RB
|
I. Augustave | 2 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Smalls
31 TE
|
S. Smalls | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
A. Mata
16 K
|
A. Mata | 0/0 | 0 | 3/3 | 3 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. Vassett
15 P
|
M. Vassett | 2 | 53.5 | 0 | 54 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
J. Daniels
6 QB
|
J. Daniels | 14/21 | 189 | 1 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
D. Neal
4 RB
|
D. Neal | 37 | 207 | 3 | 47 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Daniels
6 QB
|
J. Daniels | 6 | 72 | 0 | 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Morrison
28 RB
|
S. Morrison | 11 | 47 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Grimm
11 WR
|
L. Grimm | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
D. Neal
4 RB
|
D. Neal | 5 | 4 | 80 | 1 | 51 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Kardell
45 TE
|
T. Kardell | 2 | 2 | 38 | 0 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
L. Grimm
11 WR
|
L. Grimm | 6 | 4 | 35 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Casey
47 TE
|
J. Casey | 3 | 2 | 21 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
L. Arnold
2 WR
|
L. Arnold | 2 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Wilson
7 WR
|
T. Wilson | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Q. Skinner
0 WR
|
Q. Skinner | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
D. Miller
45 DE
|
D. Miller | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Caldwell
97 DT
|
K. Caldwell | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
T. Allen
40 K
|
T. Allen | 3/3 | 25 | 4/4 | 13 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
T. Wilson
7 WR
|
T. Wilson | 3 | 20.7 | 26 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Morrison
28 RB
|
S. Morrison | 1 | 15.0 | 15 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
L. Grimm 11 WR
|
L. Grimm | 2 | 12.0 | 18 | 0 |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
11:44 | COLO 25 | 1:19 | 3 | 6 | Punt |
2:39 | COLO 14 | 3:53 | 8 | 47 | Downs |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
9:02 | COLO 25 | 1:44 | 4 | 75 | TD |
3:47 | COLO 25 | 1:56 | 5 | 75 | TD |
0:07 | COLO 14 | 0:07 | 1 | -1 | Half |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | COLO 49 | 3:01 | 7 | 51 | TD |
7:18 | COLO 24 | 2:24 | 3 | 4 | Punt |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
11:47 | COLO 25 | 5:25 | 12 | 46 | Downs |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | KANSAS 27 | 3:16 | 6 | 73 | TD |
10:25 | KANSAS 33 | 7:46 | 13 | 61 | FG |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
13:46 | KANSAS 39 | 4:44 | 8 | 61 | TD |
7:18 | KANSAS 26 | 3:31 | 8 | 69 | FG |
1:51 | KANSAS 20 | 1:44 | 12 | 73 | FG |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
11:59 | KANSAS 20 | 4:41 | 10 | 80 | TD |
4:54 | KANSAS 25 | 8:07 | 14 | 75 | TD |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
6:22 | KANSAS 29 | 6:22 | 10 | 53 | Game |
- Touchdown (6 plays, 73 yards, 3:16 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) D.Gerlach kicks 64 yards from COL 35 to the KAN 1. T.Wilson returns the kickoff. Pushed out of bounds by COL at KAN 27. |
+5 YD | 1 & 10 - KANSAS 27 (14:56 - 1st) D.Neal rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by COL at KAN 32. |
+7 YD | 2 & 5 - KANSAS 32 (14:24 - 1st) J.Daniels pass complete. Catch made by L.Grimm for 7 yards. Pushed out of bounds by COL at KAN 39. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - KANSAS 39 (13:53 - 1st) D.Neal rushed for 0 yards. Tackled by COL at KAN 39. |
+7 YD | 2 & 10 - KANSAS 39 (13:14 - 1st) L.Grimm rushed for 7 yards. Tackled by COL at KAN 46. |
+3 YD | 3 & 3 - KANSAS 46 (12:38 - 1st) D.Neal rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by COL at KAN 49. |
+51 YD | 1 & 10 - KANSAS 49 (11:57 - 1st) J.Daniels pass complete. Catch made by D.Neal for 51 yards. TOUCHDOWN. |
PAT Good | (11:44 - 1st) T.Allen extra point is good. |
- Punt (3 plays, 6 yards, 1:19 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (11:44 - 1st) T.Allen kicks 65 yards from KAN 35 to the COL End Zone. Touchback. |
-1 YD | 1 & 10 - COLO 25 (11:44 - 1st) S.Sanders pass complete. Catch made by T.Hunter for -1 yards. Tackled by KAN at COL 24. |
+7 YD | 2 & 11 - COLO 24 (11:18 - 1st) S.Sanders pass complete. Catch made by L.Wester for 7 yards. Tackled by KAN at COL 31. |
No Gain | 3 & 4 - COLO 31 (10:44 - 1st) S.Sanders steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for T.Hunter. |
Punt | 4 & 4 - COLO 31 (10:38 - 1st) M.Vassett punts 54 yards to KAN 15 Center-K.Hawkins. L.Grimm returned punt from the KAN 15. Tackled by COL at KAN 33. |
- Field Goal (13 plays, 61 yards, 7:46 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
-1 YD | 1 & 10 - KANSAS 33 (10:25 - 1st) S.Morrison rushed for -1 yards. Tackled by COL at KAN 32. |
+10 YD | 2 & 11 - KANSAS 32 (9:47 - 1st) J.Daniels pass complete. Catch made by L.Arnold for 10 yards. Tackled by COL at KAN 42. |
+1 YD | 3 & 1 - KANSAS 42 (9:10 - 1st) D.Neal rushed for 1 yards. Tackled by COL at KAN 43. |
+8 YD | 1 & 10 - KANSAS 43 (8:31 - 1st) S.Morrison rushed for 8 yards. Tackled by COL at COL 49. |
+2 YD | 2 & 2 - COLO 49 (7:47 - 1st) S.Morrison rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by COL at COL 47. |
-1 YD | 1 & 10 - COLO 47 (7:05 - 1st) D.Neal rushed for -1 yards. Tackled by COL at COL 48. |
+20 YD | 2 & 11 - COLO 48 (6:28 - 1st) J.Daniels scrambles for 20 yards. Tackled by COL at COL 28. |
+4 YD | 1 & 10 - COLO 28 (5:40 - 1st) D.Neal rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by COL at COL 24. |
+14 YD | 2 & 6 - COLO 24 (4:57 - 1st) S.Morrison rushed for 14 yards. Tackled by COL at COL 10. |
-3 YD | 1 & 10 - COLO 10 (4:13 - 1st) S.Morrison rushed for -3 yards. Tackled by COL at COL 13. |
No Gain | 2 & 13 - COLO 13 (3:30 - 1st) J.Daniels steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for L.Grimm. |
+7 YD | 3 & 13 - COLO 13 (3:25 - 1st) J.Daniels pass complete. Catch made by D.Neal for 7 yards. Tackled by COL at COL 6. |
Field Goal | 4 & 6 - COLO 14 (2:42 - 1st) T.Allen 24 yard field goal attempt is good Center-L.Hosford Holder-G.Addison. |
- Downs (8 plays, 47 yards, 3:53 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (2:39 - 1st) T.Allen kicks 65 yards from KAN 35 to the COL End Zone. C.Hood returns the kickoff. Tackled by KAN at COL 14. |
+3 YD | 1 & 10 - COLO 14 (2:34 - 1st) S.Sanders pass complete. Catch made by I.Augustave for 3 yards. Tackled by KAN at COL 17. |
+8 YD | 2 & 7 - COLO 17 (2:07 - 1st) S.Sanders pass complete. Catch made by L.Wester for 8 yards. Tackled by KAN at COL 25. |
Penalty | 1 & 10 - COLO 25 (1:33 - 1st) S.Sanders pass complete. Catch made by D.Miller for yards. Tackled by KAN at COL 23. PENALTY on KAN-J.Todd Horse Collar Tackle 15 yards accepted. No Play. |
+6 YD | 1 & 10 - COLO 40 (1:00 - 1st) S.Sanders pass complete. Catch made by I.Augustave for 6 yards. Tackled by KAN at COL 46. |
+6 YD | 2 & 4 - COLO 46 (0:53 - 1st) S.Sanders rushed for 6 yards. Tackled by KAN at KAN 48. |
+6 YD | 1 & 10 - KANSAS 48 (0:27 - 1st) I.Augustave rushed for 6 yards. Tackled by KAN at KAN 42. |
+3 YD | 2 & 4 - KANSAS 42 (15:00 - 2nd) S.Sanders pass complete. Catch made by S.Smalls for 3 yards. Tackled by KAN at KAN 39. |
-2 YD | 3 & 1 - KANSAS 39 (14:28 - 2nd) D.Hayden rushed for -2 yards. Tackled by KAN at KAN 41. |
+2 YD | 4 & 3 - KANSAS 41 (13:52 - 2nd) D.Hayden rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by KAN at KAN 39. |