Colorado's Shedeur Sanders pushes official in loss that could keep Buffaloes out of College Football Playoff

Entering Saturday, No. 16 Colorado controlled its ain destiny for the College Football Playoff. Now, the Buffaloes look a steep hill.

The Buffaloes mislaid to unranked Kansas, 37-21, successful their quest to gain an automatic bid successful the 12-team postseason bracket.

The Jayhawks got retired to a 17-0 pb connected their Senior Day. But, aboriginal successful the 3rd quarter, the Buffaloes chopped the shortage to 2 points aft Travis Hunter's 2nd touchdown, which included a Heisman pose.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) of the Colorado Buffaloes looks to walk against the Kansas Jayhawks successful the archetypal fractional astatine Arrowhead Stadium Nov. 23, 2024, successful Kansas City, Mo.   (Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

But Kansas responded with a 10-play touchdown drive, past forced a three-and-out and recovered the extremity portion again to pb 37-21 successful the 4th quarter. Running backmost Devin Neal scored each 4 Jayhawks touchdowns.

Colorado's adjacent thrust resulted successful a turnover connected downs, each but icing the game.

In the 3rd quarter, determination was a scrum betwixt players, and officials intervened.

Quarterback Shedeur Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes warms up earlier a crippled against the Kansas Jayhawks astatine Arrowhead Stadium Nov. 23, 2024, successful Kansas City, Mo.   (Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

While that was happening, Shedeur Sanders shoved 1 of the officials from behind, prompting rules expert Mike Pereira to suggest Sanders was "lucky" helium didn't get ejected.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAM GIVES UP EMBARRASSING SAFETY AFTER DELAYING GAME BECAUSE OF WET BALL

It was a microcosm of what was a frustrating time for the Buffaloes, who mislaid their 3rd crippled of the season.

Kansas' triumph marked the archetypal clip successful FBS past a squad with a losing grounds won 3 consecutive games against ranked opponents. The Jayhawks are 5-6 connected the season.

It remains to beryllium seen what Colorado's way is for the College Football Playoff.

Arizona State, present 9-2 with a 6-2 league record, jumped Colorado (8-3, 6-2) successful the Big 12 standings by beating BYU. BYU and Colorado stock the aforesaid league record, and BYU's wide grounds is 9-2. Iowa State (8-2, 5-2) faces Utah astatine 7:30 p.m. ET and would leap Colorado with a victory.

Colorado backmost Shedeur Sanders (2) passes the shot during the 2nd 4th against the Kansas Jayhawks astatine GEHA Field astatine Arrowhead Stadium.  (Nick Tre. Smith/Imagn Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Colorado would request a triumph astatine location against Oklahoma State and immoderate benignant of operation of losses by Iowa State (home vs. Kansas State), Arizona State (at Arizona) and BYU (home vs. Houston). 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.