The Colorado Buffaloes put an exclamation point on their regular season on Friday with a confident 52-0 victory over the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

The Buffs started fast at Folsom Field with a 21-point first quarter performance and never looked back, improving their final regular-season record to 9-3 (7-2 Big 12). CU is still in the hunt for the Big 12 championship game, but has taken care of its end of the bargain and will now wait for the results of other conference games.

Even if the Buffs don’t reach the Big 12 title game, head coach Deion Sanders’ second season in Boulder was special. With wins and new additions in Boulder, Colorado has found its strength again.

Here are five takeaways from Colorado’s shutout win over the Cowboys:

Special Senior Day

Over 20 seniors were recognized prior to the game for their contributions to the Colorado football program. Notable names include quarterback Shedeur Sanders, safeties Shilo Sanders and Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig, cornerback Preston Hodge, linebackers Nikhai Hill-Green and LaVonta Bentley, defensive linemen Chidozie Nwankwo and Shane Cokes, and wide receivers Jimmy Horn Jr. and LaJohntay Wester.

Defensive masterpiece

CU’s defense was fantastic all day and set the tone on the Cowboys’ first possession of the game. Oklahoma State lost yards on its first two plays with a tackle for loss and a sack before Travis Hunter picked off Maealiuaki Smith to give the Buffs the ball deep in Cowboys territory.

The Buffs held Oklahoma State to just 147 total yards on the day. CU was great against the run, holding the Cowboys to 70 yards on 31 carries. Star running back Ollie Gordon II ran the ball four times for 10 yards while adding 18 yards on one catch.

“Everyone took their selfishness out of themselves and said, ‘Man, we’re doing this for the seniors,'” safety Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig said. “We’re going to come out and get that shutout.”

The Buffs’ offense took advantage of OSU’s mistakes

The Cowboys made several mistakes on their end of the field, and aside from a difficult second quarter, the Buffs capitalized on almost every opportunity. CU’s offense turned three Oklahoma State turnovers into touchdowns. Additionally, former Cowboys cornerback DJ McKinney hit a pick-six in the fourth quarter.

Travis Hunter capped a Heisman-worthy season

Despite the best efforts of Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Miami quarterback Cam Ward, the Heisman race ended Friday. Travis Hunter played like a man possessed, grabbing ten catches for 116 yards and three touchdowns. His final catch was another one for the highlight reel as he fought through contact for a 23-yard score in the end zone.

On defense, Hunter intercepted Oklahoma State’s first possession and later had two pass breakups.

“I think Travis won the Heisman,” Coach Prime said. “He’s the best player in college football. You could find ways to hate him, criticize him, condemn him, and you won’t look professional because now you’re just looking for something.”

Shedeur Sanders was automatic

Shedeur Sanders, announced this year as the winner of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, threw for 438 yards on 34 completions and added five touchdown passes. His only blemish was an interception deep in Cowboys territory.

LaJohntay Wester and Travis Hunter were Sanders’ favorite targets. Wester had 11 grabs for 175 yards and two touchdowns, both season highs.

Further reading

READ: Colorado receives four 2025 commitments on Thanksgiving evening

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: What we learned from Colorado’s narrow win over Oklahoma State