In a thrilling season opener, the Colorado Buffaloes, led by quarterback Shedeur Sanders, defeated North Dakota State 31-26, showcasing their ability to finish games after a disappointing previous season. Sanders threw for 445 yards and four touchdowns, three of which were caught by standout player Travis Hunter, who also excelled defensively. Despite their victory, Colorado struggled with a porous defense and a lack of a running game, reminiscent of last year's issues. The Buffaloes appeared to seal the game with a critical pass interference call late in the fourth quarter, but left time on the clock for North Dakota State to make a final push. Ultimately, the Bison fell short, thanks to a strong performance from the Colorado offense, particularly from Jimmy Horn Jr., who added 198 receiving yards. Colorado's next challenge will be against Nebraska on September 7.