SAN ANTONIO – The excitement to see the Colorado Buffaloes play in the 32nd-annual Valero Alamo Bowl sky-rocked after wide receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter won their Heisman Trophy.
This week, much of the focus has been on how BYU will be able to stop Hunter, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and the talented Buffaloes' roster.
In the team’s first press conference featuring Sanders, his teammates, and coordinators, they shared what they most look forward to in the matchup against the Cougars.
“It’s more about problem solving,” - @ShedeurSanders sharing how eager he is to face @BYUfootball’s defense and figure out the strategy the Cougars throw at the Buffaloes offense in this Saturday’s @valeroalamobowl 🏈🏆 @ksatnews #ValeroAlamoBowl #KSATsports @CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/v4F3itZlDI
— KSAT Nick Mantas (@KSATNick) December 26, 2024
“For me, it’s problem-solving, that’s what it is,” Sanders said. “We know they’re going to do a lot of exotic things and a lot of different things we probably haven’t seen on film. They listen to their coaches and do everything 98% right. Eventually, somebody is going to bust a coverage, and that is what it is but they have a great scheme. They have a great everything. I’m very blessed for my final collegiate game to go against that type of challenge.”
#Colorado Offensive Coordinator Pat Shurmur is excited for he challenge against @BYUfootball’s defensive front and shared more about their game plan that you’ll hear tonight at 10 on @ksatnews 🏈🏆 @valeroalamobowl #ValeroAlamoBowl #KSATsports #GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/0XurJXOi3M
— KSAT Nick Mantas (@KSATNick) December 26, 2024
“They play defense the right way,” said Colorado offensive Coordinate Pat Shurmur. “They’re very physical up front, which you have to be. Very fundamental in the back. They have answers. So they might bring them all. They may drop them all out, and then they do everything in between. So we’ve got to be sharp with how we run it and how we throw it. When we’re in a position to make plays, we’ve got to make them.
“You feel it when you play them…they’re a physical talented team,” - @CUBuffsFootball Defensive Coordinator Robert Livingston has high praise for @BYUfootball and looks forward to the @valeroalamobowl. You’ll hear from them at 10 on @ksatnews 🏈🏆 @CUBuffs #ValeroAlamoBowl pic.twitter.com/haKGVmkTfk
— KSAT Nick Mantas (@KSATNick) December 26, 2024
“The best compliment you can give them is you feel them every time they play,” Colorado defensive coordinator Robert Livingston said. “There’s a real attitude with how they play. They play connected football. They play hard. God knows they play hard. It will be a great challenge. Again, it’s a phenomenal venue, Saturday night. Where else would you rather be?”
Both teams will meet with the media again Friday, when head coaches will hold a joint press conference at the Alamodome in the morning ahead of the Kickoff Luncheon at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter on the Riverwalk ballroom.
The No. 17-ranked BYU Cougars will face the 23rd-ranked Colorado Buffaloes at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 28 in the Alamodome.
If you can’t make it to the ‘Dome, all you have to do is turn on your TV and pull up a chair. The game will be broadcast at 6:30 p.m. live on KSAT 12.