Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter, who missed the second half of last week’s 34-7 win at Arizona, will be a bigger contributor this weekend against Cincinnati, coach Deion Sanders said on Tuesday.
“He’ll have more productivity because he’s feeling much better than last week,” Sanders said. “He’s got a little more pep in his step today.”
Hunter, who suffered a shoulder injury in an Oct. 12 loss to Kansas State, made one tackle and caught two passes for 17 yards on three targets in the win over Arizona. The Buffaloes (5-2, 3-1 Big 12) jumped to a 28-7 halftime lead against the Wildcats and Hunter was held out of the second half as a precautionary measure.
Hunter did some conditioning work on Tuesday.
“He never tires and we want to keep that what it is,” Sanders said.
Hunter, who plays cornerback and receiver for the Buffaloes, logged more than 120 snaps in each of Colorado’s first five games, according to Pro Football Focus. He was limited to just 43 snaps because of the injury against Kansas State and played 53 snaps against Arizona. He has played 758 total snaps this season.
The Buffaloes have won three consecutive road games for the first time since 1996. They have also won two road games by 27 or more points for the first time since 1989 when Colorado went 11-0 in the regular season under coach Bill McCartney.
Two of Colorado’s four wins a season ago were on the road, too.
“We like to be booed and naysayed and hated. That turns us on. That turns us on. It’s kind of sexy, matter of fact. That’s how I felt when I played,” Sanders said. “We like being the underdogs. Not the betting line but being on the road and away from home. We like that.”
This week, Colorado hosts Cincinnati (5-2, 3-1) at 10:15 p.m. ET.
Required reading
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- Colorado WR Travis Hunter expected to play vs. Arizona after shoulder injury
- Travis Hunter tracker: Injury knocks star out of Kansas State game after quiet start
(Photo: Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
