Shedeur Sanders etched his name in Colorado football history on Friday, breaking a 28-year-old record for passing yards in a single season previously held by Koy Detmer. In the Buffaloes’ regular-season finale against Oklahoma State, Sanders needed just 40 yards early in the game to surpass Detmer’s mark of 3,527 yards from 1996. He reached this milestone with a 10-yard touchdown pass to LaJohntay Wester in the first quarter, cementing his place as Colorado’s most productive passer in a season.

Sanders didn’t stop there. By the end of the game, he had delivered a masterful performance, completing 34 of 41 passes for 438 yards and five touchdowns before being removed from the game in the fourth quarter. His season total is now an impressive 3,926 yards, putting him just shy of the 4,000-yard mark – a threshold that few quarterbacks reach. The touchdown pass to Wester also marked Sanders’ 31st passing touchdown of the season, extending the school record he had broken just a week earlier against Kansas.

Detmer’s record stood since 1996, a year in which the Buffaloes, coached by Rick Neuheisel, finished 10-2 and ranked No. 8 in the AP Top 25. For nearly three decades, Detmer’s performance remained the gold standard for Colorado quarterbacks, with the exception of Sanders’ remarkable season that redefined those expectations. His ability to consistently perform at a high level has breathed new life into the Buffaloes’ offense under the tutelage of his father, head coach Deion Sanders.

In addition to the awards, Shedeur Sanders was named the 2024 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner before the game. This prestigious award honors the quarterback who best exemplifies character, academic achievements and athletic achievement, further underscoring Sanders’ impact on and off the field.

The record-breaking campaign is a testament to Sanders’ skill, poise and leadership. Colorado’s offensive success and efforts have drawn national attention to a program undergoing remarkable transformation. With the regular season now behind him, Sanders has firmly established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in college football, and his name will remain synonymous with Colorado’s football legacy for years to come.