Miss Peggy and the Colorado Buffaloes go bowling.

Shedeur Sanders turned in another impressive performance at quarterback, the defense came through most of the night and the Buffaloes knocked off Cincinnati 34-23 on Saturday night at Folsom Field.

The Buffaloes (6-2, 4-1 Big 12) secured bowl eligibility for just the third time in the last 17 years. CU will be going to a bowl for the first time since 2020 and reached the six-game winning streak for the first time since 2016.

It was an important win for the Buffs, who entered the night tied with Cincinnati (5-3, 3-2) in the conference standings. The Buffs also remained just one game back of conference leaders BYU (8-0, 5-0) and Iowa State (7-0, 4-0) in the loss column.

After going 4-8 in 2023, CU head coach Deion Sanders said his first goal for 2024 was to get fan Peggy Coppom, who turns 100 next month, to a game bowl. Saturday’s win secures that goal and keeps the Buffs in contention for more.

A recap of the Buffs’ win over the Bearcats:

First trimester: Cincinnati won the toss and elected to receive the kickoff, but went three-and-out after an impressive opening drive by the defense. The Buffs’ offense then went to work, driving 64 yards in 11 plays, capping the march with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Shedeur Sanders to Travis Hunter. Cincinnati responded, however, sparked by Brendan Sorsby’s 40-yard touchdown pass to quarterback Evan Pryor. Four plays later, Sorsby connected with Tony Johnson for a 6-yard touchdown pass to tie the score at 7–7. The Buffs came right back with their longest drive of the season, going 90 yards in 12 plays. Sanders scored on a 4-yard run on the final play of the quarter. Score: Colorado 14, Cincinnati 7.

Second trimester: Once again, the Bearcats answered a CU touchdown with one of their own. Pryor capped a 72-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 14-14. CU’s offense continued, however, driving all the way to the Cincinnati 11-yard line. The drive stalled, but Alejandro Mata hit a 28-yard field goal. On its ensuing possession, Cincinnati was stuffed on fourth-and-1 from the CU 46-yard line with 33 seconds left in the half. That was plenty of time for the Buffs, as Sanders hit Hunter for a 34-yard touchdown with 3 seconds left in the half. Score: Colorado 24, Cincinnati 14.

Third trimester: After scoring on every possession during the first half, CU got the opening kickoff in the third quarter and drove to the Cincinnati 44, but was unable to score and had to punt. However, the Buffs defense forced a Bearcats punt and the Buffs went to work again. A 28-yard pass from Sanders to LaJohntay Wester capped the drive, which was capped by Isaiah Augustave scoring on a 7-yard touchdown run. The two teams traded points before the end of the quarter. Score: Colorado 31, Cincinnati 14.

Fourth quarter: Cincinnati started a drive at its own 10 late in the third and ran out the first 5:40 of the fourth en route to the CU 15. That drive stalled, however, and the Bearcats settled for a field goal 32 meters through Nathan Hawks. CU’s offense failed to gain some traction after the field goal, trailing by three and giving up back to the Bearcats. Cincinnati took advantage and drove 81 yards in 11 plays to pull off a score. Sorsby connected with tight end Joe Royer for a 6-yard touchdown pass. The Bearcats attempted a two-point conversion and failed. CU responded by putting the game away on one of its best possessions of the second half. Sanders hit Hunter for a 35-yard touchdown pass to start the drive, and CU drove to the Bearcats’ 29 before Alejandra Mata drilled a 47-yard field goal. Final Score: Colorado 34, Cincinnati 23.