Colorado spring game final score, results: Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders stand out as Deion Sanders era begins

Dan Treacy

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Colorado spring game final score, results: Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders stand out as Deion Sanders era begins image

The Deion Sanders effect was on full display in Boulder, Colo., on Saturday. Colorado said it was expecting 45,000 fans for its annual Black & Gold Game, and Folsom Field was packed for the scrimmage despite snowy conditions.

Fans who braved the weather were rewarded with a glimpse of what might be ahead for the Buffaloes. Sanders, decked out in sunglasses and a cowboy hat, commanded attention from start to finish. At one point, he took off his hat near midfield and bowed to the crowd, firing up a fan base that was already energized. 

On the field, the product was exactly what one would expect from a spring game: offense, offense, and more offense. While defense is somewhat of a myth in exhibitions, it was clear that the Buffaloes' No. 1 offense was far and away better than the No. 2 unit.

MORE: How much money has Prime Time made from NFL, MLB, coaching careers?

Shedeur Sanders made his presence felt all day, finishing with 16-of-19 passing for 234 yards and three total touchdowns. The highlight of the game was a 98-yard touchdown on a pass from Sanders to Montana Lemonious-Craig, one of the few players "Coach Prime" is carrying over from the previous regime.

College football fans looking for another reason to watch Colorado in the fall got one on Saturday when they saw how Sanders used Travis Hunter. The former No. 1 recruit made an impact on both sides of the ball, catching a touchdown pass and playing his more familiar cornerback role.

If Saturday was any indication, Colorado fans will see Hunter earn snaps on offense and defense this season. 

MORE: Watch college football with Fubo (free trial)

The Sporting News tracked live updates and highlights from Colorado's Black & Gold spring game on Saturday. Check out all of the key moments from the exhibition. 

Colorado spring game score

  Score
Offense 39
Defense 27

Colorado spring game live updates, highlights

(All times Eastern.)

5 p.m. — It's hard to have a bad day in a spring game, but Shedeur Sanders certainly didn't do anything to lessen the hype surrounding him. 

4:58 p.m. — Deion Sanders tells ESPN that what the program is doing is "not just about football." Maybe not, but the football will be a huge storyline in the fall with the talent Sanders has brought in.

4:57 p.m. — Well, looks like Colorado has called the game. The offense wins 39-27. 

4:54 p.m. — The defense gets itself some points and makes it a 39-27 game as the final quarter rolls on. An on-field prayer has broken out.

4:45 p.m. — It's been said over and over, but the Prime Effect is incredible. Whether he can back it up with regular season wins is the big question, but new life has been injected back into this program.

4:38 p.m. — Sanders goes in for a rushing touchdown! The offense is rolling in this exhibition, as expected, and the No. 1 offense has looked very clearly better than the No. 2 unit.

4:29 p.m. — A look at that wild touchdown by Lemonious-Craig.

4:05 p.m. — We're back to 11-on-11, and the No. 1 offense stayed red hot with a 98-yard touchdown pass from Sanders to Montana Lemonious-Craig (tremendous name). 

4:03 p.m. — It's only a spring game, but the results are impressive so far for Shedeur Sanders. Deion likes what he's seeing.

3:56 p.m. — Some interesting formations now, with 7-on-7 action breaking out and plays ending without a tackle.

3:53 p.m. — Love it or hate it, there's something wild happening in Boulder. 

3:47 p.m. — Really nice throw by Sanders on the free play... the offense is rolling, up 17-8.

3:40 p.m. — Here's a first look at the Sanders-to-Hunter connection. Sanders seems to think Hunter can contribute both offensively and defensively. If so, it's going to be a real show in the regular season.

3:37 p.m. — The defense gets six points on a blocked PAT! The ball is flying around the field so far.

3:35 p.m. — This is a bizarre scoring system, so hang on tight. A 20+ yard play gets the offense two points, and a touchdown from Sanders to Hunter makes it 8-0 in favor of the offense.

3:31 p.m. — The first real snap is what everyone wants to see: A pass from Shedeur Sanders to Travis Hunter.

3:29 p.m. — And we're underway! It's snowing in Boulder as the Buffaloes run two kickoff returns that don't count.

3:20 p.m. — Presented without comment.

3:12 p.m. — Deion Sanders is dressed for the west.

3:00 p.m. — Programming update: ESPN will air the game once the XFL matchup between the Battlehawks and Guardians ends.

2:17 p.m. — Shedeur Sanders could be one of the biggest names in college football this year. He might have to get used to this weather if he wants to play well deep into the season.

2:11 p.m. — Snow? Snow! Folsom Field had to be cleared of snow this afternoon.

Colorado spring game start time

  • Date: Saturday, April 22
  • Time: 3 p.m. ET (1 p.m. MT)

Colorado's much-anticipated Black & Gold spring game is set to kick off at 3 p.m. ET (1 p.m. local time) from Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo. 

MORE: Mike Zimmer joins Deion Sanders' Colorado coaching staff

What channel is the Colorado spring game?

  • TV channel: ESPN
  • Live streams: ESPN+ | Fubo

Colorado's Black & Gold spring game will air on ESPN. Streaming options include the ESPN App or Fubo, which offers a free trial. Chris Fowler, Robert Griffin III and Quint Kessenich will be on the call from Folsom Field. 

Dan Treacy

Dan Treacy Photo

Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News, joining in 2022 after graduating from Boston University. He founded @allsportsnews on Instagram in 2012 and has written for Lineups and Yardbarker.