Stephen A. Smith compliments Shedeur Sanders, Will Sheppard for touchdown connection vs. UCF

In a key Big 12 matchup, Colorado and the Shedeur Sanders-led offense were delivering early. And drawing plenty of eyes.

After Sanders dropped in a vertical pass amidst several defenders for a 47-yard touchdown to Will Sheppard up the seam, putting the Buffaloes ahead late in the 1st quarter vs. UCF, one Stephen A. Smith took notice. The ESPN personality took to social media to compliment the play.

“I know one thing, watching this [Colorado] vs [UCF] game: That was one helluva throw from [Shedeur] and one spectacular catch from Will Sheppard. Special! Loving this game right now,” Smith said.

SHEPPARD WITH THE DIVING TD CATCH 😱

Shedeur Sanders throws a DIME and Will Sheppard hauls it in for @CUBuffsFootball 🎯 pic.twitter.com/PshaYRmzHu

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 28, 2024

And for as good of a throw it was from Sanders, the layout catch by Sheppard might be equally — or more — impressive. Shortly after, early in the second quarter, the Buffaloes seemed to get rolling and took a 21-7 lead on another touchdown drive.

Eventually, the Buffaloes would go into the half leading, 27-14.

Deion Sanders was pleased with how his team ran it early on

The Buffaloes entered the contest ranked near the bottom of the FBS with only 68.8 rushing yards per game. However, they have already totaled 59 yards on the ground with 11 minutes remaining in the second quarter against the Knights as they lead 21-7.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders spoke after the first quarter on the FOX broadcast about how the improved running game has opened up things through the air.

“Now we’re two-dimensional,” Sanders said. “We can run the ball as well as throw the ball, and that’s a threat. Still, we can’t turn the ball over and we can’t give up explosions. We knew first down, shot down. We said that on the sideline and they still came up big.”

The Buffaloes got a couple of big runs from Micah Welch to set up their first touchdown in the opening quarter. Later to open up the second, Dallan Hayden broke free for a 14-yard score.

After throwing an interception on the first drive, Colorado went on to score on the next three.

Sanders knows for the success to continue, he will need the offensive line to keep playing well. He likes what he’s seen thus far and shared his pregame message.

“Physical, toughness, aggressiveness,” he said. “We told them those first two series are going to be important early. That’s the foundation that you lay for the continuation of the game.”