ORLANDO — Even for an afternoon game, UCF just isn’t ready for prime time.

Or “prime time.”

Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes spoiled one of the Knights’ biggest home games in years, defeating UCF 48-21 Saturday at FBC Mortgage Stadium.

The “Coach Prime” factor created unmistakable pre-game hype. Fox’s traveling audition “Big Noon Kickoff” traveled to UCF for the first time and drew one of the largest in-person audiences ever. Famed music producer DJ Khaled surfed in a field of crushed beer cans and hard seltzer. Cam Newton – one of UCF coach Gus Malzahn’s former players – was in attendance. That also applied to Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark. The Knights were so overwhelmed with media requests that not every credentialed reporter was guaranteed a spot in the press box.

The stage was bigger than UCF’s Big 12 home debut last year against Baylor, when the Knights blew a 28-point lead in the final 19 minutes. The buzz hadn’t been this intense since ESPN’s “College GameDay” in 2018, where the Knights celebrated their 23rd straight win.

Then UCF fell behind 34-14. The bounce house didn’t shake much after that.

Part of the credit clearly goes to Colorado. Travis Hunter, a former Florida State player, delivered another sensational double performance to cement his highlight at the Heisman Trophy ceremony. Hunter scored the game’s first touchdown (a 23-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders), broke up a pass in the first half and finished the game with two tackles plus 89 receiving yards on a game-high nine catches. After his diving interception in the third quarter, he ran the remaining 37 yards to the end zone for the Heisman pose. Who can blame him?

Sanders, a projected first-round NFL draft pick, threw three touchdown passes and completed 80% of his passes for 290 yards.

But the Knights also deserve a lot of blame for the defeat. UCF started with by far the most productive offense in the country. There were 43 total yards (2.4 per carry) in the first half.

The Buffaloes had the fifth-worst rushing offense before this week (68.75 yards per game). They have surpassed that number.

UCF had former USF receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. rip off a 27-yard punt return late in the second quarter. This allowed Colorado to score a field goal on the last play of the half.

After KJ Jefferson’s touchdown pass to Berkeley Prep graduate Xavier Townsend made it a two-score game late in the third quarter, the Knights failed to make two tackles on back-to-back rushes by the Buffaloes. Colorado ended the 65-play drive with a short touchdown catch by Palmetto native LaJohntay Wester. UCF fumbled in Colorado territory on its ensuing possession.

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The Knights gave Colorado another score when Jefferson fumbled the ball into the arms of Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig and scored a 95-yard fumble return for a touchdown.

The win was the largest in Sanders’ 17 games in Colorado and one of the worst for the Knights under Malzahn.

UCF travels to Florida next week.

This story will be updated.

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