if one were to just glance at the scoreboard of Thursday season opener they would probably think that Colorado football does not have much to celebrate beyond their narrow 31 to 26 Victory versus North Dakota State though there were plenty of positives including a rockus home crowd head coach Deion Sanders made sure to show his gratitude to the fome faithful following the team's first win since last October we would like to thank you we appreciate you for backing us again Sanders to the Delight of the thunderous fan base VI the squad's official X account we love you we want all of you to go home and be safe Miss Peggy I love you we're one step closer to getting you to that bowl game God bless you Sanders may have no mercy for his critics but he is clearly grateful for all those who support him and his team the woman he mentions Miss Peggy is a 99-year-old buffalo's Die Hard who recently became the first to sign an nil name image and likeness contract Colorado has not appeared in a bowl game since the co impacted 2020 campaign and has only competed in three since 2007 so she would surely relish the opportunity to see her beloved Buffs battle in won this season despite there being some red flags Thursday night's faceoff with FCS Juggernaut North Dakota State pushes Colorado football a little closer to achieving its ultimate goal Dion Sanders son and quarterback shadur Sanders decimated the Bison defense throughout the game he was 26 of 34 passing for 445 yards and four touchdowns one interception starting his senior season on a towering note he did not do it on his own of course two-way star Travis Hunter immediately inserted himself into the Heisman conversation posting seven receptions for 132 yards and a whopping three touchdowns one of those scores came on an improbable grab in which he brilliantly twisted his body to secure the ball in the corner of the end zone while the defender was draped all over him the TD ultimately proved to be the Difference Maker and forced North Dakota state to attempt an ill-fated Hail Mary in the closing seconds Jimmy horn Jr deserves a shine too he recorded a game high 198 receiving yards 69 of which came from an exciting link up with Sanders near the end of the first quarter overall Dion Sanders expressed satisfaction with the buffalo's performance the defense looked shaky at times but did play much better in the second half though the team's shortcomings figured to be magnified against stiffer competition Colorado football has plenty of challenges ahead starting with a tricky Road matchup versus the Nebraska Corn Huskers next Saturday for the Buffalo sake hopefully many of the passionate fans whom Sanders thanked on Thursday will be following them to Lincoln in week too