September 19, 2024

Colorado’s Travis Hunter robbed twice by Pac-12 refs vs. Utah

Colorado's Travis Hunter robbed twice by Pac-12 refs vs. Utah - Sports Illustrated Colorado Buffaloes News, Analysis and More

Buffaloes two-way star had a pair of touchdowns taken off the board on Saturday

Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes closed out the 2023 season with a 23-17 loss to the Utah Utes. It was a close contest up until the final minutes, but there were a few questionable call that altered the state of the game, including two touchdowns by Travis Hunter that were blown dead and reversed.

The first instance happened in the final minutes of the first half. Hunter had a score rejected as he tip-toed down the sideline and was in bounds. The refs blew the play dead and were convinced he stepped out on the play. A review somehow showed otherwise, but his efforts were disregarded.

Later on the same drive, Buffs backup QB Ryan Staub made the perfect throw to Hunter in the near corner of the end zone. The catch looked clean in real-time and during the review, but the Pac-12 refs felt otherwise and reversed the call of touchdown on the field. It would’ve given CU a 14-13 halftime lead. Alejandro Mata booted home a 47-yard field goal two plays later to cut Utah’s lead to a 13-10 advantage.

Hunter eventually reeled in a 18-yard touchdown strike from Staub with 7:31 left. The Buffs two-way star showed out in the finale. He’s one of CU’s leaders returning to Boulder next year and is currently a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award, which recognizes college football’s most versatile player.

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