BOULDER — Make it an even 50 wins all-time for Colorado over Iowa State.

As the Buffaloes (3-4, 1-3 Big 12) welcomed an old Big Eight foe to Folsom Field for the first time in 15 years on Saturday afternoon, Deion Sanders and company took care of business and held on for a 24-17 win over the No. 22-ranked Cyclones (5-2, 2-2 Big 12).

It’s the program’s second win over a ranked opponent under Sanders and the first since TCU in 2023. Here are three takeaways from the upset victory that snaps a two-game losing streak for CU:

Buffs’ big third quarter

Coach Prime got his wish. His offense finally found success in the third quarter.

After struggling out of the locker room all season, the Buffs scored a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter for the first time in 2025, besting their previous high of 7 points in the first 15 minutes out of the locker room.

Especially given that CU once again coughed up a lead late in the first half, it was the perfect response for a team looking to show any sign of improvement.

Abu Sama III runs all over CU defense

The defensive line injuries are starting to catch up to the Buffs defense.

The absence of top defensive end Arden Walker on Saturday afternoon just added to the thin unit up front, and it was evident in the way Iowa State ran the ball.

Even without top rusher Carson Hansen, the Cyclones were still able to rack up 236 rushing yards thanks to an excellent afternoon by Abu Sama III, who finished with 177 yards on 24 carries and three touchdowns.

It was the fourth time in seven games this season that CU has allowed its opponent to rush for over 200 yards as a team.

Big play receivers emerge

Who says the Buffs are missing multiple NFL wide receivers from last year’s team? 

Well, Coach Prime wouldn’t say no to having Travis Hunter and others on this year’s team, but CU has a couple of big-play targets emerging on this year’s squad, too.

After catching a touchdown last week, Omarion Miller got another one on the second play of the third quarter as Salter hit him for a 70-yard score. Sophomore Joseph Williams was also a reliable target as he caught a team-high eight passes for 128 yards and a touchdown of his own.