Shedeur Sanders: Travis Hunter's Injury 'Not the Reason' Colorado Lost to Oregon

A lot of things were missing for Colorado in its blowout 42-6 loss to Oregon on Saturday, namely its signature swagger and explosive offense that's been among the best in the nation to this point.

Not to mention star player Travis Hunter, who got injured in the first half of the Buffaloes' win over Colorado State last week and had to be taken to the hospital.

And while he admitted missing Hunter was like losing two players due to his two-way capabilities, quarterback Shedeur Sanders knows that there were a lot more factors at play against the Ducks.

"That's not the reason we didn't win," Sanders said postgame, per Ross Dellener of Yahoo Sports.

Sanders entered Saturday's game as one of the nation's leading passers following a spectacular opening couple of weeks but he was completely neutralized by a dominant Oregon defense that were unwilling to give him an inch.

The Heisman hopeful completed 23 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown—which came late in the game when it was all out of reach. He had an even rougher time on the ground, finishing the game with 10 carries for -34 yards.

What was perhaps the most concerning part of the Buffaloes' performance was their lack of protection from the offensive line. Oregon managed to rack up seven sacks on Sanders, not giving him anytime to connect with his elite weapons.

Coach Deion Sanders, knew it was just an all-around bad day from his squad.

"We played like hot garbage," Deion said in his postgame press conference.

Given the way all three phases performed Saturday, there probably wasn't a whole lot that Hunter would've been able to help with, elite as he may be.

"Of course Travis was missed he's the best player in CFB," Deion said. "It's like saying you're a writer and you don't have your pen."