Colorado continued its push towards a College Football Playoffs berth on Saturday evening, riding strong showings by Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, LaJohntay Webster and Will Sheppard to a 41-27 win over Texas Tech.
The No. 20-ranked Buffaloes moved to 7-2 with their win on Saturday. More vitally, the victory practically ensures that Colorado moves up the CFP standings with a loss by No. 17 Iowa State will likely precipitate a reshuffle in those vaunted postseason rankings. The Buffs figure to be one of a few sides that will benefit from all the Week 10 mayhem when the next CFP poll is released Tuesday.
Colorado may have claimed a decisive victory over its Big 12 rival on Saturday evening. The duel wasn’t without its controversy, particularly as segments of those who filled into Jones AT&T Stadium began tossing tortillas and trash onto the field following a few contentious non-calls.
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Colorado-Texas Tech controversy: Fans throw debris onto field to protest contentious non-calls
The Buffaloes and Red Raiders were locked in a tight affair part way through the third quarter.
Tensions hit a fever pitch towards the end of the frame when Travis Hunter found pay dirt via a 24-yard catch and run.
Hunter topped off his score in style, employing yet another Kai Cenat-like jig while frolicking across the end zone.
TRAVIS HUNTER TO THE HOUSE 🏠@CUBuffsFootball extends the lead in Lubbock 🔥 pic.twitter.com/VknF4aBTrZ
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 9, 2024
The score looked to have put Texas Tech’s fanbase on edge. Debris began streaming onto the field, with one item — a plastic water bottle — finding its way into the path of Shilo Sanders. The Buffaloes safety made sure to return the favor, firing the vessel back to Red Raiders fans.
Texas Tech fans throwing things (not tortillas) at Colorado players
Shilo Sanders returned one of the water bottles back to the students 😂 pic.twitter.com/l7S2lscug0
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) November 9, 2024
On the ensuing possession, carnage ensued. The referees rebuffed Texas Tech’s claims for a targeting call on fourth down, resulting in a turnover on downs.
All hell broke loose once the call was confirmed. Debris once more returned to the Jones AT&T Stadium pasture.
After review, there is no foul on this play for targeting
It will be Colorado ball 👉 pic.twitter.com/mnHIrOr7Oq
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 9, 2024
It was all too much for Red Raiders boss Joey McGuire, who hopped on the microphone to express his displeasure with his fans’ actions.
“STOP THROWING STUFF ON THE FIELD. PLEASE.”
Coach Joey McGuire had a message for Texas Tech fans during a review against Colorado.
(H/T @deviousduck_)pic.twitter.com/EPw8Yz6NSb
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 10, 2024
Absolute pandemonium in the CU vs Texas Tech game.
The refs overturn a targeting penalty, resulting in a turnover on downs, while the Texas Tech Head Coach pleads for the fans to stop throwing trash on the field#SkoBuffs pic.twitter.com/cFoTmZT22V
— Blego (@BlegoBro) November 9, 2024
Things settled as the quarter came to a close.
Texas Tech fans are LOUD right now 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/DZbPwW61Dw
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 9, 2024
After the game, Deion Sanders addressed the situation with the media. saying he was relieved that most of what was thrown was soft.
“We try to prepare our young men for that, thank god the tortillas…are soft,” Sanders said. “When they start throwing the water bottles and other objects, that’s when you’ve got to alarm the officials.”
Sanders also praised the way McGuire handled the incident, saying the Texas Tech head coach handled it “professionally.”
“They throwin’ everything but my mama at me.”
– @DeionSanders on if he’d ever experienced anything like the tortilla situation in Lubbock 😅 pic.twitter.com/wn0BUgbwmx
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 10, 2024
It will be interesting to see if the NCAA doles out any punishment to Texas Tech after the incident. College football’s governing body hasn’t shown any qualms with leveeing fees on programs that have had similar incidents, after all.