(BOULDER, Colo.) (AP) — Shedeur Sanders overcame a shaky start to throw three touchdown passes, LaJohntay Wester returned a punt 76 yards for a score, and No. 18 Colorado pulled away late to beat Utah 49-24 on Saturday. Winners of four straight, the Buffaloes (8-2, 6-1 Big 12, No. 17 CFP ) remain in the driver's seat for an appearance in the conference title game and possibly a spot in the College Football Playoff. They've doubled their win total from a season ago when they finished 4-8. “We haven't even put it all together yet. We haven't played our best game," coach Deion Sanders said. “That should be, in itself, scary. When I said, ‘We comin',’ we still comin'. We never stopped comin'. We are comin'. We ain't nearly there yet." Colorado defensive end Samuel Okunlola, left, sacks Utah quarterback Isaac Wilson in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)Colorado cornerback Colton Hood, left, breaks up a pass intended for Utah wide receiver Munir McClain in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)Utah cornerback Cameron Calhoun, top, tackles Colorado wide receiver Will Sheppard following a pass reception in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)Colorado wide receiver Will Sheppard, left, pulls in a touchdown pass over Utah cornerback Cameron Calhoun in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)Colorado defensive end Keaten Wade, front, celebrates after recovering a fumble by Utah quarterback Isaac Wilson as Colorado defensive end Arden Walker joins in in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)Utah cornerback Smith Snowden, left, pulls down Colorado wide receiver Drelon Miller after catching a pass for a long gain in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)Utah linebacker Lander Barton, right, recovers a fumble by Colorado wide receiver Will Sheppard in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)Utah quarterback Isaac Wilson, top, is tackled after a short gain by Colorado linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, left, throws a pass as Utah defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa pursues in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Sanders threw an interception on his first pass of the game and later lost a fumble. But he settled in and finished 30 of 41 for 340 yards. He connected twice on TD passes with Will Sheppard. Sanders has thrown 27 TD passes, one away from matching the single-season school record set by Sefo Liufau in 2014. Leading 35-16 early in the fourth quarter, the Buffaloes saw the Utes stage a late rally to make things interesting down the stretch. The comeback was thwarted by D.J. McKinney's interception and then a sack from Shilo Sanders that resulted in a fumble that Colorado recovered. “I'm thankful for the defense,” Shedeur Sanders said. “I may have to take them out to dinner this week for saving me, for saving the team." Two-way star and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter stood out in his glittery gold cleats — and with an incredible 28-yard catch between two Utah defenders on fourth-and-8. He also had a 5-yard score with 2:22 remaining on a reverse to seal the win. On defense, Hunter picked off a pass but also was beaten by receiver Dorian Singer for a 40-yard score. It's the first TD pass given up by Hunter this season. In the eyes of Deion Sanders, Hunter is the clear Heisman frontrunner. “It’s supposed to go to the best college football player. I think that’s been a wrap since Week 2,” said Sanders, whose program snapped a seven-game skid against Utah. “We got a wonderful display of cameras here, and I think we’re on national television every week." The Utes (4-6, 1-6) dropped their sixth straight game behind an offense that sputtered early. They were limited to three field goals by Cole Becker before Isaac Wilson connected with Singer. Wilson later hit Caleb Lohner — and converted a two-point conversion — to make it 35-24 with 8:34 remaining. “Right now, I'm in the ‘Twilight Zone,’” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “It’s the most difficult year of my coaching career, hands down. Not even close.”