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The emotional reason why Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter played the entire Alamo Bowl: "We had to finish it"

The media was surprised to see Sanders and Hunter finish the game despite the loss.

Shedeur Sanders (2) and Travis Hunter always finish what they start.
Shedeur Sanders (2) and Travis Hunter always finish what they start.LAPRESSE

Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter had their last dance with Colorado. The Buffaloes' star duo played from start to finish in the Alamo Bowl against the BYU Cougars, raising questions among media and fans about why they made that decision, to which Sanders responded with class and maturity.

On Saturday, the Buffs played their last game of the season, losing 36-14 to the Cougars. The team's performance was far from its stellar regular-season performance. It had just 36 gross yards rushing, which was reduced to two net yards after sacks and penalties.

Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter's final and electric touchdown as Colorado Buffaloes despite the loss to BYU

Sanders was also far from his usual self, with just 208 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Of those, 106 yards and one score were on es to Hunter. The loss left analysts with serious doubts about the decision to keep them on the field despite everything seeming lost.

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We started it, we finished it: Shedeur

At the postgame press conference, a reporter asked head coach Deion Sanders, "Shedeur and Travis played late into the game, regardless of the final score. I just wanted to ask what went into that decision, what it says about their character to play?"

Visibly emotional, Coach Prime let Shedeur answer for himself. "Yeah, we started, so we had to finish. That was simply it. No matter what it was-if it were the other way around and we were up-we were still going in or playing regardless," the Buffs signal-caller explained.

Shedeur's response echoes his father's pregame words in an interview with ESPN. "I'm seeing when they first put on uniforms. You know, when they first started," Coach Prime recalled. "The good, the bad, the indifference. The ups and downs. Just the journey, it's been a heck of a journey."

Shedeur is clear about his destination

Although the 2025 NFL Draft is still four months away, Sanders Jr. seems to already know where he's headed. The Buffaloes quarterback played in the Alamo Bowl wearing cleats with the New York Giants logo and colors.

With just two weeks of action left in the NFL regular season, it's almost certain that the Giants will have the first overall pick in the Draft. So whether this was a nod to the team or if there has already been some rapprochement between the two sides, only time will tell.

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