Colorado Buffaloes Football vs Kansas Jayhawks Football Match Player Stats: A Complete Game Breakdown

Introduction

Football is more than just a sport—it’s passion, pride, and pure adrenaline. When the Colorado Buffaloes face off against the Kansas Jayhawks, it’s a matchup packed with energy, tradition, and thrilling moments. Whether you’re hanging out with friends, tailgating outside the stadium, or watching from your couch, this game is always worth the excitement.

You don’t need to be a football expert to enjoy it. Sometimes, all it takes is paying attention to the players and their movements on the field. That’s where match player stats come in. They help tell the complete story of the game.

In this article, we’ll break down the Colorado Buffaloes football vs Kansas Jayhawks football match player stats in a fun and simple way—with clear explanations, friendly language, and loads of exciting details. Whether you’re new to football or a longtime fan, you’re going to enjoy this ride.

A Quick History of the Rivalry

Before we dive into the player stats, let’s take a step back. These two teams, the Colorado Buffaloes and the Kansas Jayhawks, used to be fierce competitors when they were both part of the Big 12 Conference.

Though their regular matchups slowed after the Buffaloes moved to the Pac-12 (and then back to the Big 12 in 2024), the passion between these two teams never faded. Both schools carry a deep sense of pride, loyal fan bases, and a hunger to win.

They’ve played many classic games over the decades, filled with quarterback duels, last-minute touchdowns, and defensive stops that changed everything. So, when they meet again, the stakes always feel high.

Key Players to Watch From Both Sides

To fully enjoy the game, it’s helpful to know which players to keep your eyes on. Player performance is often what defines who wins and who goes home with a loss.

Colorado Buffaloes Football Standouts:

• Shedeur Sanders (QB): Fast-thinking quarterback, son of Coach Deion Sanders. He throws accurate passes and can extend plays.
• Travis Hunter (CB/WR): A rare two-way player. He plays offense and defense—and does both really well.
• Dylan Edwards (RB): Quick and shifty running back who finds gaps fast.

Kansas Jayhawks Football Standouts:

• Jalon Daniels (QB): Mobile quarterback with great accuracy and leadership on the field.
• Devin Neal (RB): Powerhouse runner. Tough to tackle. Great at breaking big plays.
• Lawrence Arnold (WR): Tall receiver who makes tough catches in tight spots.

These athletes brought fire to this matchup and made sure fans got their money’s worth.

Quarterback Showdown—Passing Player Stats

Quarterback play is always at the heart of any NCAA football game. Let’s explore how each QB performed in the Colorado Buffaloes vs Kansas Jayhawks football match.

Shedeur Sanders (Buffaloes):

• Completions/Attempts: 27/39
• Passing Yards: 312
• Touchdowns: 3
• Interceptions: 1

Jalon Daniels (Jayhawks):

• Completions/Attempts: 22/34
• Passing Yards: 278
• Touchdowns: 2
• Interceptions: 0

Both quarterbacks led smart, high-energy offenses. Shedeur used quick reads to get the ball out fast. Jalon relied on his legs and precision throws to lead the Jayhawks’ steady attack.

Running Back Stats—Ground Game Highlights

A good running back can change the whole feel of a game. Whether it’s a simple dive or a 40-yard dash, running plays spark excitement.

Dylan Edwards (Buffaloes):

• Carries: 14
• Rushing Yards: 89
• Touchdowns: 1

Devin Neal (Jayhawks):

• Carries: 20
• Rushing Yards: 112
• Touchdowns: 2

Neal’s powerful runs gave Kansas strong momentum. Meanwhile, Edwards delivered bursts of speed and jukes that left defenders on their heels. Watching these two exchange big runs was a treat.

Wide Receiver Performances—Top Pass Catchers

Receivers are the playmakers. They’re the ones sprinting down the field, leaping past defenders, and scoring explosive touchdowns.

Top Receivers – Colorado Buffaloes:

• Xavier Weaver: 7 receptions, 112 yards, 1 touchdown
• Travis Hunter: 6 catches, 74 yards
• Jimmy Horn Jr.: 5 catches, 68 yards, 1 touchdown

Top Receivers – Kansas Jayhawks:

• Lawrence Arnold: 5 catches, 98 yards, 1 touchdown
• Quentin Skinner: 4 catches, 63 yards
• Mason Fairchild (TE): 4 catches, 52 yards

The passing game was on fire from both teams. Xavier Weaver made big plays, while Lawrence Arnold wowed fans with long gains. Each reception brought the crowd to their feet.

Defensive Standouts and Game-Changing Tackles

Defense often wins games. Good tackles, sacks, and smart reads can shut down even the best offense. Here are the defensive players who stood tall in this game.

Colorado Buffaloes:

• Trevor Woods (Safety): 9 total tackles, 1 pass breakup
• Jordan Domineck (DE): 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble
• Travis Hunter: 5 tackles, 1 interception (yes, again!)

Kansas Jayhawks:

• Kenny Logan Jr. (Safety): 8 tackles, 1 interception
• Craig Young (LB): 7 tackles, 1 sack
• Austin Booker (DE): 2 sacks

Travis Hunter’s two-way play was incredible. He made plays on offense and defense. Players like Kenny Logan Jr. and Domineck kept the game competitive on both sides.

Special Teams Impact—Kickers, Punters, and Returns

Special teams often get overlooked. But they matter—a missed field goal or a long return can flip a game fast.

Colorado Buffaloes:

• Placekicker (Jace Feely): 2/2 Field Goals, Long: 45 yards
• Punt Return (Hunter): 1 return, 28 yards
• Punter (Mark Vassett): 5 punts, avg. 43.2 yards

Kansas Jayhawks:

• Placekicker (Seth Keller): 1/1 Field Goal, Long: 37 yards
• Kick Return (Sevion Morrison): 3 returns, 92 yards
• Punter (Reis Vernon): 4 punts, avg. 41.7 yards

In a close game, special teams can make the difference. Clean field goals and a good return can be worth more than you think.

Turnovers That Changed the Game

Turnovers are game-changers. One fumble or pick can swing the momentum completely.

• Colorado: 1 interception (thrown), 1 fumble (lost)
• Kansas: 1 interception (thrown), 1 fumble (recovered by offense)

The Buffaloes’ fumble in the red zone was a key mistake. Kansas capitalized on that and drove down the field. It was a moment that shifted the game’s energy.

Play-by-Play Highlights You Should Know

Let’s look at a few big moments that made fans scream in excitement—and maybe even frustration.

• 1st Quarter: Shedeur Sanders hits Xavier Weaver for a 45-yard touchdown.
• 2nd Quarter: Devin Neal scores back-to-back rushing touchdowns for Kansas.
• 3rd Quarter: Travis Hunter intercepts Daniels’ deep throw.
• 4th Quarter: Game tied—Shedeur leads a 2-minute drill ending in a field goal.

These were clutch moments that made the game unforgettable. Every play added drama and urgency.

Final Team Stats Comparison

Here’s a simple side-by-side look at each team’s total efforts:

Both teams were incredibly close. That’s what made the game so fun to watch. It wasn’t about flaws—it was about who would outlast the other.

What the Coaches Said After the Game

Coach Deion Sanders (Colorado):

“I’m proud of our guys. We fought hard. We fixed some things, and it showed today.”

Coach Lance Leipold (Kansas):

“We gave them everything we had. We fell short, but there’s a lot we can build on.”

Both coaches showed class. They respected the talent on both sides and recognized the value of a hard-fought game.

FAQs

1. Who was the top performer in the Colorado vs Kansas game?

Shedeur Sanders and Devin Neal were standouts. Sanders threw 3 touchdowns, and Neal had 112 rushing yards and 2 scores.

2. How many total passing yards were in the game?

Together, both teams piled up 590 passing yards—with Colorado leading that category.

3. Did Travis Hunter play well both ways?

Yes! Travis Hunter was excellent on both sides—he tallied 74 receiving yards and grabbed a big interception.

4. How close was the final score?

It was a very tight game. Only a field goal separated them in the last minutes of play.

5. Were there any game-changing defensive plays?

Yes, key sacks by Jordan Domineck and the interception from Travis Hunter were huge game moments.

6. Which team had better special teams?

Both teams had clean kicking, but Colorado’s punt return of 28 yards was the biggest standout.

Conclusion

The Colorado Buffaloes football vs Kansas Jayhawks football match player stats tell an exciting story. It’s not just about numbers. It’s the heart, hustle, and game-changing moments that stick with us.

From Shedeur’s laser throws to Travis Hunter doing double duty, every play mattered. Kansas brought its A-game too—with Neal and Daniels pushing Colorado to fight till the very end.

If you love football, this was one for the books.

What was your favorite moment? Was it the defense, the big catches, or something else? Share your thoughts below and join the conversation. And don’t forget to catch the next matchup—it’s sure to be just as thrilling.