SAN ANTONIO — Shedur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter were silenced when it mattered most, as Colorado's high-flying offense was crushed by BYU in a 36-14 loss in the Alamo Bowl on Saturday night. Ta.
BYU's LJ Martin had 88 yards rushing and two touchdowns, and Jake Retzlaff led the Cougars with 151 passing yards.
BYU (11-2, 17th CFP) scored in each quarter to win its second consecutive bowls title after missing out on promotion last season and third in its last four appearances.
Colorado (9-4, 23rd in CFP) was held to 210 total yards and only 2 net yards rushing. The Buffaloes gained 90 yards in the fourth quarter, giving the Cougars a 29-point lead.
Buffaloes QB Sanders was sacked three times and threw two interceptions in front of a capacity crowd of 64,261. Sanders completed 16 of 23 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Hunter had four receptions for 106 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown from Sanders with 6:14 left in the third quarter.
Colorado's offensive struggles started early against BYU.
The Buffaloes failed to convert on a fourth-and-1 at the Cougars' 49-yard line when a pass from Sanders to Will Shepard fell incomplete.
BYU then marched 52 yards for its first touchdown on Martin's 1-yard run with four minutes left in the first quarter.
Cougars sophomore Parker Kingston returned a punt 64 yards for a touchdown, giving BYU a 17-0 lead with 5:32 left in the first half.
The Buffaloes suffered a shutout loss in the first half while being limited to 61 total yards, including minus-9 yards rushing on 12 carries.
The Cougars added a 13-yard rushing touchdown by Sione I. Moa in the third quarter. Will Ferrin added field goals of 51 and 54 yards for BYU.
The Buffaloes entered the game averaging 34.5 points per game, 22nd in the nation, but struggled against the Cougars.
