BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Kansas State is looking for ways to limit the impact of Colorado's top receiver. Same with the Buffaloes' top cornerback.
That it just so happens to be the same person only impresses Wildcats coach Chris Klieman all the more. Travis Hunter is the rare two-way athlete who's on the field for 93% of the plays from scrimmage this season.
Ironman football, indeed.
“He's doing this at such a high level, on both sides of the ball, and playing fast on both sides of the ball,” said Klieman, whose 18th-ranked Wildcats (4-1, 1-1 Big 12) make their first trek to Folsom Field since 2010 on Saturday night to face the surging Buffaloes (4-1, 2-0). “It’s really impressive to watch, because he’s making plays in both phases — and big-time plays.”
Hunter leads the team in receptions (46), yards receiving (561) and TDs (6). On defense, he has two interceptions despite being rarely targeted, including zero times against Baylor.
“Travis Hunter is one of the Heisman favorites for a reason,” Kansas State dual-threat quarterback Avery Johnson said. “He’s a really talented player, and what he does on both sides of the ball is really special, and doesn’t get enough credit.”
Just don't compare him to Colorado coach Deion Sanders, who was a multidimensional threat over his Hall of Fame NFL career. Sanders wants Hunter to have the spotlight all to himself.
“I've had my turn. I’m that old boxing coach in the corner that says, ‘Left, right, left, right. Hit him right here. All right, come over to the corner,'" Sanders cracked. “That’s who I am right now. I’ve had my turn. It’s not me against him.”
Both teams will be well-rested after coming off a bye week. It's a late kickoff, too, with the game starting around 10:15 p.m. ET. This is a big conference game for the Wildcats, who've dropped one league contest at BYU. The Buffaloes began their return to Big 12 league play with an overtime victory over Baylor, followed by a win at Central Florida.
“We are on our way to where we’re headed,” Sanders said. “I love the direction.”
A year ago, highly touted recruit Dylan Edwards was in the Buffaloes backfield. A transfer later and he's now part of a powerful ground game for the Wildcats. Kansas State is averaging 6.93 yards per carry, trailing only Boise State (8.18). Sanders turned playful when asked about facing off against Edwards.
“They changed their name to Dylan Edwards? That's what the team is called now — the Dylan Edwards'?" Sanders quipped. "We ain’t playing against Dylan Edwards. We're playing against a darn good football team, man. Dylan happens to be on their team. I love the young man.”
Through five games, Shedeur Sanders is just behind his pace of last season when he broke the Colorado single-season yards passing mark. But he also sat out the last game of the year due to a fracture in his back. Behind a new offensive line, Sanders has thrown for 1,630 yards with 14 TDs. He’s been sacked 17 times this season. Through five games last season, he’d been sacked 25 times.
“I think Sanders will be the first quarterback picked off the board" in the NFL draft, Klieman said. “He should be in the film that I’ve seen of a lot of the top guys.”
The Wildcats are a sure bet to put points on the board — they've scored 28 or more in 12 of their last 13 games. Colorado's defense will be at full strength with the return of safety Shilo Sanders, who missed the last three games because of a forearm injury that required surgery.
“I can’t wait to see him back there,” his father/coach said.
Johnson is one of three Power-4 quarterbacks with at least 800 yards passing and 300 yards rushing this season. He's formed quite a dynamic tandem with tailback DJ Giddens, who's averaging 120.8 yards rushing.
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