Heading into Kansas State the Buffaloes were ready for what they believed was their toughest test to date.
An unusually low scoring first quarter that saw Kansas State take a 6-0 lead on two field goals. One coming after Sanders was hit as he threw causing an interception.
The scoring would mostly stay that way as the teams stalled. When out for a play Sanders Backup Wade threw an interception on his only pass of the day that set up Kansas State's first touchdown with under a minute left in the half giving them a 13-0 lead.
But the Buffaloes finally got on the board when Hunter returned the kick for a touchdown cutting it to a one score game.
That was short lived as Kansas State returned the ensuing kickoff back themselves but missed what would wind up being a costly extra point taking a 19-7 lead into the half.
Colorado starting with the ball drove right down the field as Hood finished the drive off with a long run to again make it a one score game, but like before it wouldn't last long as Kansas State again returned the kick for a touchdown making it 26-14.
Colorado went 3 and out giving the ball to the Wildcats in great field position leading to a quick score and a 33-14 lead as the Buffaloes were officially on full upset alert again.
As he did against Baylor, Sanders got to work leading a quick scoring drive capped off by a 50 yard touchdown to Wester followed by a 2 point conversion to cut the lead to 11.
The momentum finally swung in the Buffaloes favor as they forced a 3 and out and got the ball back to possibly make it a one score game yet again.
Colorado did not run the ball a lot this game but when they did they made it count. On a 2nd and 22 Hood took a pitch out of the backfield and scampered 74 yards to make it 33-28 after a failed 2 point attempt.
This time Kansas State didn't return the kickoff for a touchdown, but they did drive right down the field scoring on an 11 play drive to take up almost 4 minutes. Leaving Colorado down 12 with 4 minutes left.
Wasting no time Sanders found Hunter for a deep pass putting them immediately inside the Kansas State 30, then Smalls took a reception down to the 1 yard line. Stuffed until a 4th down RPO where Hood caught the pass out of the backfield to score. Kansas State led 40-34 with just over 2 minutes left.
On a 3rd and 8 with 2 minutes left Kansas State converted forcing Colorado to start using timeouts.
Needing a first down to ice the game on 2nd and 11 Kansas State ran play action but the pass was picked off giving Colorado the ball with a chance to win the game.
On the second play Sanders found Wester for almost 40 yards, Wester lost the ball on the hit but it was recovered.
On a second and 14 Sanders was able to find Wester again, this time for a 23 yard score in the front of the end zone and the extra point gave them the lead.
With under 20 seconds left Kansas State needed a field goal, going for a big play on the second play Travis Hunter came down with his second interception of the game sealing it for Colorado.
While only registering 6 carries Hood made them count running for 129 yards and 2 touchdowns, he also caught 6 passes for 36 yards. Sanders threw for 324 and 3 scores as Wester led the team in receiving yards with 133.
This was the second time this season Colorado showed resilience being down 3 scores in the second half and coming back to win.
The road continues to get tougher as three ranked teams remain on the schedule in the coming weeks.
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