Colorado's Travis Hunter takes late hit in heated matchup with Colorado State; LeBron James weighs in

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The rivalry game between the Colorado Buffaloes and the Colorado State Rams was off to a hot and chippy start on Saturday night in Boulder.

The Rams led 14-7 early in the fourth when one Colorado State defensive back nailed Colorado star wide receiver Travis Hunter late after a pass from Shedeur Sanders sailed over his head. Colorado State defensive back Henry Blackburn levied the hit on Hunter and was called for a penalty.

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Sep 16, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Travis Hunter (12) warms up prior to the game against the Colorado State Rams at Folsom Field.  (Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports)

There was a lot of pushing and shoving after the play. Sanders got right in the face of Blackburn to defend his teammate. Pass interference was called on the play and Blackburn was flagged for unnecessary roughness. His hit was panned as "dirty" on social media. LeBron James was among those who weighed in.

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"Like I don’t understand the difference between targeting and what I just witnessed. I’ve seen others get thrown out for far less. That was blatant and uncalled for IMO!" he wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Hunter was shaken up and taken to the sideline for the remainder of the series. Sanders finished the drive with a touchdown and the Buffaloes tied the game going into the second quarter.

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) looks to pass the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Colorado State, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Boulder, Colo.  (AP Photo/David