ORLANDO, Fla. – As Colorado walked off the field after its best win of the Deion Sanders era – a 48-21 victory over UCF on a hot Saturday afternoon – one staff member had a clear message.

“Keep telling them to make us 16-point underdogs!”

Colorado played its most complete game yet, finding balance on offense while shutting out the No. 1 run offense in the country, leaving UCF nearly 200 yards below its average. The 27-point triumph is the largest victory in the road conference since the 34-0 victory over Oklahoma State in 2005.

It was also the Buffaloes' second win under Sanders as double-digit underdogs, although the line closed at 12.5 points.

Sanders pushed aside any thought that his team, as such big underdogs, played with a little more motivation against the undefeated Knights.

“We’re underdogs every week,” he said. “Apart from our fan base, no one wants to see us win. That's the nature of the game. We're not mad about it. We know who we are.”

This also applies to the rest of the country.

Nobody can say it was boring. In five games, Colorado had to pull itself together to beat an FCS opponent, needed a Hail Mary in overtime to get past Baylor, and also posted two blowout victories. There was also a disheartening road loss to Nebraska 28-10 in which Shedeur Sanders was sacked five times.

But here they are now 4-1, equaling their overall win from a year ago.

In the spring, Sanders secured at least a bowl berth, and after another roster overhaul, questions arose again this season. But there's a reason the win over UCF was hailed as Sanders' best. Not only did Colorado find balance (128 yards rushing, 290 yards passing) and a defensive performance that limited big plays on the ground (UCF had 177 yards rushing), it was also a group effort.

Yes, Sanders threw for 290 yards and three touchdowns. And yes, Travis Hunter had nine catches for 89 yards and a touchdown, along with a third-quarter interception in which he darted in front of a pass at the last second. Twice this season, Hunter had a touchdown reception and an interception in the same game. When he stood up, he struck the Heisman pose.

But there was also Will Sheppard, who led all receivers with 99 yards and contributed a score. There was Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig, who had a 95-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. And there was Preston Hodge, who was intercepted himself.

Colorado had five sacks from four different players.

After Silmon-Craig scored, Colorado graduate assistant Warren Sapp turned to the crowd and waved goodbye.

“I feel like we’re trending in the right direction,” Deion Sanders said. “I feel like you're seeing the fruits of a lot of hard work, a lot of dedication and great hires. We bring together the right people with the right attitude and the right work ethic. I love where we are as a program. I Could we really be better? Of course I think anyone can do it, but I know we’re trending in the right direction.”

Colorado is now 2-0 in Big 12 play and faces an open game before hosting Kansas State on Oct. 12. The two conference wins have already doubled what the Buffs had in the Pac-12 last year when they went 1-8.

“Everyone bought in. It shows,” said Silmon-Craig. “We don’t point fingers. We support each other. That's how we're playing right now. It is definitely the most complete victory. It’s just the beginning.”

Deion Sanders cited arriving in Orlando a day early on Wednesday to avoid the effects of Hurricane Helene as one reason for the dominant performance.

“Because we were able to take their minds off everything and get them focused and engaged, we had some great runs in the hotel and there was just unity,” he said. “All the boys ate together, they had meetings together, they watched a movie together. They responded great. They could have been mad and upset that we left early, but they were there and did a great job.”

But there was also an understanding that the team could be in a different place depending on how it responded to adversity at various points before Saturday.

“We could be in a very different place right now,” Sanders said. “But we go into the break 4-1 and I’m so excited, you have no idea. It’s going to be a really good plane ride tonight.”