Travis Hunter watched Oregon beat up on his Colorado Buffaloes, and with another top-10 team coming to Boulder in Week 5, he’s not interested in sitting around to watch another loss.

When the Buffs got back from their trip to Oregon — which brought a 42-6 thrashing at the hands of the Ducks — coach Deion Sanders met with the team and shared a text he’d received from Hunter.

“I need to play this week,” Hunter said. “We need to get everything we can so I can get back on the field. I’m not taking no for an answer.”

Hunter missed his first game of the season this weekend a hit in the Colorado State game sent him to the hospital with a lacerated liver. Initially, Hunter was expected to be out a minimum of two weeks.

That put him in line to miss both the Oregon and USC games. The eighth-ranked Trojans visit Folsom Field this upcoming weekend and Hunter’s ability could be a huge boost for the Buffs.

Oregon quarterback Bo Nix carved up the CU secondary, completing 28 of his 33 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns. Star Oregon receiver Troy Franklin had 126 yards and two scores on eight catches.

Hunter has All-American potential at corner. One player wouldn’t have changed the outcome in the game, but Hunter certainly would have helped.

And this weekend against USC quarterback Caleb Williams, Hunter would have been a player to watch.

Sanders, however, told him no.

“No, you ain’t ready and I care about you more than I care about this game,” Sanders responded. “You’re gonna change the game of football one day when you’re healthy and ready. Your future is brighter than mine ever will be or ever was. Relax and get healthy. I love you, son.”

So, that seems like a pretty clear indication Colorado will be sticking with the timeline.

USC is coming off a 42-28 win over Arizona State in its first road game of the season. The Trojans (4-0, 2-0 Pac-12) and Buffaloes (3-1, 0-1 Pac-12) kick off Saturday at 9 a.m. PT on FOX.