BYU stymies Sanders, Hunter in 36-14 victory over Colorado in Alamo Bowl
AP
Dec 29, 2024
SAN ANTONIO (AP) L.J. Martin rushed for 88 yards and two touchdowns, Jake Retzlaff passed for 151 yards, and No. 17 BYU Cougars beat No. 20 Colorado Buffaloes 36-14 in the Alamo Bowl on Saturday night.
BYU (11-2, No. 17 CFP) scored in every quarter in rolling to its second straight bowl victory and third in its past four appearances after failing to advance last season.
Colorado (9-4, No. 23 CFP) was held to 210 total yards with only two net yards rushing. The Buffaloes had 90 yards in the fourth quarter with the Cougars leading by 29 points.
Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders was sacked three times and threw two interceptions before a sellout crowd of 64,261. Sanders passed for 208 yards and two touchdowns while completing 16 of 23 passes.
Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter had four receptions for 106 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown from Sanders with 6:14 remaining in the third quarter.
Colorado's offensive struggles started early against BYU.
The Buffaloes failed to convert on fourth-and-1 at the Cougars' 49-yard line when Sanders' pass to Will Sheppard fell incomplete.
BYU then marched 52 yards for its first touchdown on a 1-yard run by Martin with four minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Cougars sophomore Parker Kingston returned a punt 64 yards for a touchdown to put BYU up 17-0 with 5:32 remaining in the first half.
The Buffaloes were shut out in the first half while being limited to 61 total yards, including minus-nine yards rushing on 12 carries.
Sione I. Moa added a 13-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter for the Cougars.
Will Ferrin added field goals of 51 and 54 yards for BYU.
BYU: Kingston returned three punts for 82 yards, including the first-half touchdown. He also had one reception for 24 yards and threw an incompletion that tipped off the fingers of tight end Mata'ava Ta'ase.
Colorado: The Buffaloes entered the game averaging 34.5 points per game, which was 22nd in the nation, but struggled against the Cougars.
BYU opens its 2025 schedule at home against Portland State. Colorado opens its 2025 season at home against Georgia Tech on Aug. 30.
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Key Players
L. Martin
4 RB
93 RuYds, 2 RuTDs, 33 ReYds, 2 RECs
W.Ferrin 51 yard field goal attempt is good Center-D.Riggs Holder-S.Vander Haar.
7
plays
8
yds
2:25
pos
10
0
2nd Quarter
Touchdown5:37
M.Vassett punts 48 yards to BYU 36 Center-K.Hawkins. P.Kingston returned punt from the BYU 36. TOUCHDOWN.
3
plays
-8
yds
2:39
pos
16
0
Point After TD5:32
W.Ferrin extra point is good.
plays
yds
pos
17
0
Field Goal0:00
W.Ferrin 54 yard field goal attempt is good Center-D.Riggs Holder-S.Vander Haar.
9
plays
25
yds
3:05
pos
20
0
3rd Quarter
Touchdown8:03
S.Moa rushed for 13 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
9
plays
55
yds
5:04
pos
26
0
Point After TD8:03
W.Ferrin extra point is good.
plays
yds
pos
27
0
Touchdown6:14
S.Sanders pass complete. Catch made by T.Hunter for 43 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
4
plays
48
yds
1:43
pos
27
6
Point After TD6:14
A.Mata extra point is good.
plays
yds
pos
27
7
4th Quarter
Touchdown10:28
L.Martin rushed for 9 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
4
plays
47
yds
2:32
pos
33
7
Missed Two Point Conversion10:27
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. J.Retzlaff steps back to pass. S.Sanders intercepts the ball. BYU ran out of bounds. TWO-POINT ATTEMPT FAILS. DEFENSIVE CONVERSION RECOVERY FAILS.
plays
yds
pos
33
7
Field Goal5:24
W.Ferrin 31 yard field goal attempt is good Center-D.Riggs Holder-S.Vander Haar.
6
plays
23
yds
4:12
pos
36
7
Touchdown2:17
S.Sanders pass complete. Catch made by S.Smalls for 2 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
(6:23 - 1st) S.Sanders steps back to pass. Sacked at COL 10 for -10 yards (H.Taggart).
+2 YD
3 & 25 - COLO 10
(5:50 - 1st) S.Sanders pass complete. Catch made by T.Hunter for 2 yards. Tackled by M.Collins at COL 12.
Punt
4 & 23 - COLO 12
(5:09 - 1st) M.Vassett punts 43 yards to BYU 45 Center-K.Hawkins. P.Kingston returned punt from the BYU 45. Tackled by B.Finneseth S.Smalls at COL 41.
BYU
Cougars
- Field Goal (7 plays, 8 yards, 2:25 poss)
Result
Play
No Gain
1 & 10 - COLO 41
(4:48 - 1st) J.Retzlaff steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for K.Marion.
+6 YD
2 & 10 - COLO 41
(4:41 - 1st) L.Martin rushed for 6 yards. Tackled by T.McCoy at COL 35.
+6 YD
3 & 4 - COLO 35
(3:55 - 1st) J.Retzlaff pass complete. Catch made by K.Marion for 6 yards. Tackled by C.Stoutmire at COL 29.
No Gain
1 & 10 - COLO 29
(3:17 - 1st) P.Kingston steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for M.Ta'ase.
Sack
2 & 10 - COLO 29
(3:13 - 1st) J.Retzlaff steps back to pass. Sacked at COL 33 for -4 yards (C.Nwankwo). J.Retzlaff FUMBLES forced by C.Nwankwo. Fumble RECOVERED by BYU-J.Retzlaff at COL 33. Tackled by COL at COL 33.
No Gain
3 & 14 - COLO 33
(2:29 - 1st) J.Retzlaff steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for P.Kingston.
Field Goal
4 & 14 - COLO 41
(2:23 - 1st) W.Ferrin 51 yard field goal attempt is good Center-D.Riggs Holder-S.Vander Haar.
BYU
Cougars
- Interception (4 plays, 17 yards, 2:18 poss)
Result
Play
Kickoff
(2:23 - 1st) W.Ferrin kicks onside from BYU 35 to BYU 35. RECOVERED by E.Slade. Tackled by COL at BYU 46.
+9 YD
1 & 10 - BYU 46
(2:16 - 1st) L.Martin rushed for 9 yards. Tackled by S.Sanders T.Thomas at COL 45.
+4 YD
2 & 1 - COLO 45
(1:39 - 1st) S.Moa rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by C.Stoutmire at COL 41.
+4 YD
1 & 10 - COLO 41
(0:58 - 1st) S.Moa rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by T.Thomas at COL 37.
Int
2 & 6 - COLO 37
(0:18 - 1st) G.Bohanon pass INTERCEPTED at COL 5. Intercepted by D.McKinney at COL 5. Tackled by BYU at COL 30.
COLO
Buffaloes
- Missed FG (7 plays, 40 yards, 3:53 poss)
Result
Play
+3 YD
1 & 10 - COLO 30
(0:05 - 1st) I.Augustave rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by I.Glasker at COL 33.
No Gain
2 & 6 - COLO 34
(15:00 - 2nd) S.Sanders steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for W.Sheppard.
No Gain
3 & 6 - COLO 34
(14:53 - 2nd) S.Sanders rushed for yards. Pushed out of bounds by BYU at COL 45. PENALTY on COL-COL Illegal Formation 5 yards accepted. No Play.
+58 YD
3 & 12 - COLO 28
(14:26 - 2nd) S.Sanders pass complete. Catch made by T.Hunter for 58 yards. Tackled by M.Bamba at BYU 14.
Penalty
1 & 10 - BYU 14
(13:33 - 2nd) S.Sanders pass complete. Catch made by L.Wester for -1 yards. Tackled by BYU at BYU 15. PENALTY on BYU-BYU Illegal Substitution 5 yards accepted. No Play.
+2 YD
1 & 5 - BYU 9
(13:30 - 2nd) S.Sanders rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by S.Esera at BYU 7.
No Gain
2 & 3 - BYU 7
(12:54 - 2nd) S.Sanders pass complete. Catch made by D.Miller for 0 yards. Tackled by T.Batty at BYU 7.
Sack
3 & 3 - BYU 7
(12:06 - 2nd) S.Sanders steps back to pass. Sacked at BYU 30 for -23 yards (L.Lutui).
No Good
4 & 26 - BYU 38
(11:15 - 2nd) A.Mata 48 yard field goal attempt is no good Center-K.Hawkins Holder-M.Vassett.
BYU
Cougars
- Interception (6 plays, 49 yards, 3:01 poss)
Result
Play
+11 YD
1 & 10 - BYU 30
(11:12 - 2nd) L.Martin rushed for 11 yards. Pushed out of bounds by T.McCoy S.Sanders at BYU 41.
-1 YD
1 & 10 - BYU 41
(10:40 - 2nd) J.Retzlaff pass complete. Catch made by P.Haunga for -1 yards. Tackled by C.Nwankwo at BYU 40.
+4 YD
2 & 11 - BYU 40
(9:43 - 2nd) S.Moa rushed for 45 yards. Tackled by COL at COL 15. The Replay Official reviewed the runner was down by contact and the play was overturned. S.Moa rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by L.Bentley at BYU 44.
+20 YD
3 & 7 - BYU 44
(9:31 - 2nd) J.Retzlaff pass complete. Catch made by R.Swanson for 20 yards. Tackled by C.Silmon S.Sanders at COL 36.
No Gain
1 & 10 - COLO 36
(8:41 - 2nd) K.Marion rushed for 0 yards. Tackled by COL at COL 36. PENALTY on COL-T.Hunter Personal Foul / Defense 15 yards accepted.
Int
1 & 10 - COLO 21
(8:21 - 2nd) J.Retzlaff pass INTERCEPTED at COL 20. Intercepted by A.Barnes at COL 20. Tackled by W.Lapuaho at COL 29.
COLO
Buffaloes
- Punt (3 plays, -13 yards, 2:39 poss)
Result
Play
+2 YD
1 & 10 - COLO 29
(8:11 - 2nd) I.Augustave rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by I.Glasker T.Batty at COL 31.
(7:15 - 2nd) I.Augustave rushed for 6 yards. Tackled by T.Wall L.Lutui at COL 32.
Sack
3 & 7 - COLO 32
(6:30 - 2nd) S.Sanders steps back to pass. Sacked at COL 32 for 0 yards (R.Damuni). S.Sanders FUMBLES forced by R.Damuni. Fumble RECOVERED by COL-I.Augustave at COL 24. Tackled by BYU at COL 24. The Replay Official reviewed the runner was down by contact and the play was overturned. S.Sanders steps back to pass. Sacked at COL 16 for -16 yards (R.Damuni).
Punt
4 & 23 - COLO 16
(5:49 - 2nd) M.Vassett punts 48 yards to BYU 36 Center-K.Hawkins. P.Kingston returned punt from the BYU 36. TOUCHDOWN.
COLO
Buffaloes
- Punt (4 plays, 14 yards, 2:27 poss)
Result
Play
PAT Good
(5:32 - 2nd) W.Ferrin extra point is good.
Kickoff
(5:32 - 2nd) W.Ferrin kicks 65 yards from BYU 35 to the COL End Zone. J.Horn returns the kickoff. Tackled by T.Alexander at COL 20.
+11 YD
1 & 10 - COLO 20
(5:26 - 2nd) S.Sanders rushed for 11 yards. Tackled by T.Batty at COL 31.
+2 YD
1 & 10 - COLO 31
(4:35 - 2nd) S.Sanders pass complete. Catch made by L.Wester for 2 yards. Tackled by J.Robinson at COL 33.
+1 YD
2 & 8 - COLO 33
(4:02 - 2nd) S.Sanders rushed for 1 yards. Tackled by T.Batty at COL 34.
No Gain
3 & 7 - COLO 34
(3:27 - 2nd) S.Sanders steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for T.Hunter.
Punt
4 & 7 - COLO 34
(3:05 - 2nd) M.Vassett punts 36 yards to BYU 30 Center-K.Hawkins. P.Kingston returned punt from the BYU 30. Tackled by COL at BYU 41. PENALTY on BYU-B.Schoonover Illegal Block Above the Waist 10 yards accepted.
BYU
Cougars
- Field Goal (9 plays, 40 yards, 3:05 poss)
Result
Play
+3 YD
1 & 10 - BYU 24
(3:05 - 2nd) J.Retzlaff rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by L.Bentley S.Okunlola at BYU 27.
Penalty
2 & 7 - BYU 27
(2:37 - 2nd) J.Retzlaff pass INTERCEPTED at COL 35. Intercepted by S.Sanders at COL 35. Tackled by BYU at COL 47. PENALTY on COL-G.Goldberg Defensive Offside 5 yards accepted. No Play.
+4 YD
2 & 2 - BYU 32
(2:11 - 2nd) L.Martin rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by S.Okunlola J.Brown at BYU 36.
No Gain
1 & 10 - BYU 36
(2:00 - 2nd) J.Retzlaff steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for C.Roberts.
+2 YD
2 & 10 - BYU 36
(1:56 - 2nd) J.Retzlaff rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by S.Okunlola at BYU 38.
Penalty
3 & 8 - BYU 38
(1:13 - 2nd) J.Retzlaff steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for S.Moa. PENALTY on COL-S.Sanders Defensive Holding 10 yards accepted. No Play.
+10 YD
1 & 10 - BYU 48
(1:09 - 2nd) J.Retzlaff pass complete. Catch made by R.Swanson for 10 yards. Tackled by T.Hunter at COL 42.
No Gain
1 & 10 - COLO 42
(1:03 - 2nd) J.Retzlaff steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for R.Swanson.
Sack
2 & 10 - COLO 42
(0:58 - 2nd) J.Retzlaff steps back to pass. Sacked at COL 48 for -6 yards (T.McCoy).
+12 YD
3 & 16 - COLO 48
(0:24 - 2nd) J.Retzlaff pass complete. Catch made by M.Ta'ase for 12 yards. Tackled by T.Hunter at COL 36.
Field Goal
4 & 4 - COLO 44
(0:02 - 2nd) W.Ferrin 54 yard field goal attempt is good Center-D.Riggs Holder-S.Vander Haar.
COLO
Buffaloes
- Interception (4 plays, 11 yards, 1:59 poss)
Result
Play
Kickoff
(15:00 - 3rd) W.Ferrin kicks 65 yards from BYU 35 to the COL End Zone. J.Horn returns the kickoff. Tackled by H.Taggart E.Johnson at COL 17.
+7 YD
1 & 10 - COLO 17
(14:54 - 3rd) M.Welch rushed for 7 yards. Tackled by I.Glasker T.Wall at COL 24.
+8 YD
2 & 3 - COLO 24
(14:23 - 3rd) M.Welch rushed for 8 yards. Tackled by J.Kelly at COL 32.
-4 YD
1 & 10 - COLO 32
(13:46 - 3rd) S.Sanders rushed for -4 yards. Tackled by I.Glasker at COL 28.
Int
2 & 14 - COLO 28
(13:08 - 3rd) S.Sanders pass INTERCEPTED at BYU 45. Intercepted by E.Johnson at BYU 45. Tackled by COL at BYU 45.
BYU
Cougars
- Touchdown (9 plays, 55 yards, 5:04 poss)
Result
Play
+5 YD
1 & 10 - BYU 45
(13:01 - 3rd) L.Martin rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by C.Silmon at BYU 50.
+2 YD
2 & 5 - BYU 50
(12:21 - 3rd) L.Martin rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by L.Bentley C.Silmon at COL 48.
+10 YD
3 & 3 - COLO 48
(11:39 - 3rd) J.Retzlaff pass complete. Catch made by D.Lassiter for 10 yards. Tackled by T.Hunter at COL 38.
+4 YD
1 & 10 - COLO 38
(10:54 - 3rd) L.Martin rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by A.Barnes L.Bentley at COL 34.
No Gain
2 & 6 - COLO 34
(10:23 - 3rd) J.Retzlaff steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for D.Lassiter.
+14 YD
3 & 6 - COLO 34
(10:16 - 3rd) J.Retzlaff pass complete. Catch made by D.Lassiter for 14 yards. Pushed out of bounds by D.McKinney at COL 20.
+3 YD
1 & 10 - COLO 20
(9:36 - 3rd) G.Bohanon rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by J.Brown at COL 17.
+4 YD
2 & 7 - COLO 17
(8:56 - 3rd) G.Bohanon rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by J.Brown C.Nwankwo at COL 13.
+13 YD
3 & 3 - COLO 13
(8:10 - 3rd) S.Moa rushed for 13 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
PAT Good
(8:03 - 3rd) W.Ferrin extra point is good.
COLO
Buffaloes
- Touchdown (4 plays, 63 yards, 1:43 poss)
Result
Play
Kickoff
(7:57 - 3rd) W.Ferrin kicks 60 yards from BYU 35 to the COL 5. J.Horn returns the kickoff. Tackled by BYU at COL 22. PENALTY on BYU-A.Kaufusi Personal Foul / Defense 15 yards accepted.
+1 YD
1 & 10 - COLO 37
(7:50 - 3rd) S.Sanders pass complete. Catch made by J.Horn for 1 yards. Tackled by BYU at COL 38. PENALTY on BYU-I.Glasker Face Mask (15 Yards) 15 yards accepted.
+4 YD
1 & 10 - BYU 47
(7:38 - 3rd) S.Sanders pass complete. Catch made by W.Sheppard for 4 yards. Tackled by M.Bamba at BYU 43.
No Gain
2 & 6 - BYU 43
(7:11 - 3rd) L.Wester rushed for 0 yards. Tackled by J.Robinson at BYU 43.
+43 YD
3 & 6 - BYU 43
(6:27 - 3rd) S.Sanders pass complete. Catch made by T.Hunter for 43 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
PAT Good
(6:14 - 3rd) A.Mata extra point is good.
BYU
Cougars
- Interception (10 plays, 58 yards, 6:23 poss)
Result
Play
Kickoff
(6:14 - 3rd) D.Gerlach kicks 54 yards from COL 35 to the BYU 11. E.Nawahine returns the kickoff. Tackled by B.Gant at BYU 28.
-3 YD
1 & 10 - BYU 28
(6:08 - 3rd) K.Marion rushed for -3 yards. Tackled by A.Walker C.Stoutmire at BYU 25.
+7 YD
2 & 13 - BYU 25
(5:30 - 3rd) L.Martin rushed for 7 yards. Tackled by B.Green II J.Wester at BYU 32.
+8 YD
3 & 6 - BYU 32
(4:45 - 3rd) J.Retzlaff rushed for 8 yards. Tackled by B.Green II at BYU 40.
+23 YD
1 & 10 - BYU 40
(4:00 - 3rd) J.Retzlaff rushed for 23 yards. Tackled by D.McKinney at COL 37.
+5 YD
1 & 10 - COLO 37
(3:20 - 3rd) J.Retzlaff pass complete. Catch made by L.Martin for 5 yards. Tackled by J.Wester C.Nwankwo at COL 32.
-5 YD
2 & 5 - COLO 32
(2:35 - 3rd) L.Martin rushed for -5 yards. Tackled by J.Wester S.Okunlola at COL 37.
+24 YD
3 & 10 - COLO 37
(1:43 - 3rd) J.Retzlaff pass complete. Catch made by P.Kingston for 24 yards. Tackled by C.Hood at COL 13.
-5 YD
1 & 10 - COLO 13
(0:54 - 3rd) L.Martin rushed for -5 yards. Tackled by C.Silmon at COL 18.
+4 YD
2 & 15 - COLO 18
(0:39 - 3rd) L.Martin rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by C.Nwankwo at COL 14.
Int
3 & 11 - COLO 14
(15:00 - 4th) J.Retzlaff pass INTERCEPTED at COL End Zone. Intercepted by C.Silmon at COL End Zone. Tackled by S.Makasini L.Martin at COL 17.
COLO
Buffaloes
- Punt (3 plays, 5 yards, 1:52 poss)
Result
Play
No Gain
1 & 10 - COLO 17
(14:51 - 4th) S.Sanders steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for T.Hunter.
+2 YD
2 & 10 - COLO 17
(14:44 - 4th) M.Welch rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by J.Kelly at COL 19.
+3 YD
3 & 8 - COLO 19
(14:02 - 4th) S.Sanders pass complete. Catch made by T.Hunter for 3 yards. Tackled by T.Prassas at COL 22.
Punt
4 & 5 - COLO 22
(13:15 - 4th) M.Vassett punts 43 yards to BYU 35 Center-K.Hawkins. P.Kingston returned punt from the BYU 35. Tackled by I.Hardge B.Finneseth at COL 42.
BYU
Cougars
- Touchdown (4 plays, 42 yards, 2:32 poss)
Result
Play
+12 YD
1 & 10 - COLO 42
(12:59 - 4th) J.Retzlaff pass complete. Catch made by S.Moa for 12 yards. Tackled by C.Hood at COL 30.
(12:07 - 4th) L.Martin rushed for 23 yards. Tackled by C.Hood at COL 12.
+3 YD
1 & 10 - COLO 12
(11:19 - 4th) J.Retzlaff rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by S.Okunlola at COL 9.
+9 YD
2 & 7 - COLO 9
(10:33 - 4th) L.Martin rushed for 9 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
+2 YD
(10:27 - 4th) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. J.Retzlaff steps back to pass. S.Sanders intercepts the ball. BYU ran out of bounds. TWO-POINT ATTEMPT FAILS. DEFENSIVE CONVERSION RECOVERY FAILS.
COLO
Buffaloes
- Interception (2 plays, 3 yards, 0:47 poss)
Result
Play
Kickoff
(10:27 - 4th) W.Ferrin kicks 46 yards from BYU 35 to the COL 19. O.Miller returns the kickoff. O.Miller ran out of bounds.
+3 YD
1 & 10 - COLO 19
(10:25 - 4th) S.Sanders pass complete. Catch made by J.Horn for 3 yards. Tackled by H.Taggart at COL 22.
Int
2 & 7 - COLO 22
(9:56 - 4th) S.Sanders pass INTERCEPTED at COL 31. Intercepted by I.Glasker at COL 31. Tackled by COL at COL 31. The Replay Official reviewed the pass interception and the play was upheld.
BYU
Cougars
- Field Goal (6 plays, 18 yards, 4:12 poss)
Result
Play
+5 YD
1 & 10 - COLO 31
(9:40 - 4th) L.Martin rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by T.Thomas at COL 26.
+14 YD
2 & 5 - COLO 26
(8:54 - 4th) P.Haunga rushed for 14 yards. Tackled by S.Sanders at COL 12.
+3 YD
1 & 10 - COLO 12
(8:05 - 4th) P.Haunga rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by S.Cokes C.Nwankwo at COL 9.
No Gain
2 & 7 - COLO 9
(7:20 - 4th) P.Haunga rushed for 0 yards. Tackled by S.Cokes L.Bentley at COL 9.
