Colorado defensive lineman Alexander McPherson (98) celebrates a defensive play during their game at Folsom Field.

BOULDER, CO – Colorado football coach Deion Sanders suffered from excruciating pain Oct. 4, underwent surgery for it on Oct. 7 and then returned to coach his team to its most impressive win of the season Saturday Oct. 11 against Iowa State.

The Buffaloes beat the 21st-ranked Cyclones, 24-17, rehabilitating themselves in their own right after three losses in four games marked with lackluster quarterback play and blown leads.

The win improved Colorado to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in Big 12 Conference play with five games left in the regular season. It also was Sanders’ second win in 10 chances against teams ranked in the Top 25.

They pulled it off this time by taking a 21-17 lead with two consecutive touchdown drives to open the second half, including a 70-yard touchdown catch by receiver Omarion Miller on the second play after intermission.

Colorado quarterback Kaidon Salter finished with a flourish, unlike in previous games. He completed 16 of 25 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns in front of 52,698 at Folsom Field. A controversial non-call early in the fourth quarter also played a big factor.

Why this is a big win for Deion Sanders

Afterward, Sanders called the win "vital." A loss would nearly crippled his team's chances for a postseason bowl game heading into an off weekend next week. His team next plays Oct. 25 at Utah.

It was a breakthrough game for his defense, too. When Iowa State threatened to retake the lead early in the fourth quarter, Colorado safety Tawfiq Byard intercepted Iowa State’s third-down pass at the goal line, preserving his team’s 21-17 lead on a cool autumn day with light rain.

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell says non-call was 'really sad'

A penalty flag was thrown on the interception by Byard after an Iowa State receiver appeared to be nearly tackled by another Colorado player behind Byard in the end zone. But game officials withdrew the flag to give a big break to the Buffaloes.

Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell said afterward that he didn't get an explanation for the non-call but called it "really sad."

"It sounded like they thought that the ball had no impact, that the DPI (defensive pass interference) didn't happen until after... the ball was thrown, which is not true," he said.

Replays appeared to show Byard making his leaping grab right after those players behind him tumbled to the ground in the end zone.

"You can't put the game in the situation where a penalty, you know, is the deciding factor," Campbell said. "And unfortunately, we did that today."

Colorado takes care of business in final sequence

After the interception from Byard, the Buffs also stopped the Cyclones on their next series, when Iowa State went for it on fourth-and-1 from its own 18-yard line. Iowa State running back Abu Sama III got stuffed, turning the ball over on downs to Colorado. The Buffs then extended their lead to 24-17 on a 29-yard field goal with 5:13 left.

The defense came through again after that, forcing Iowa State to punt. Colorado then took over at its own 15-yard line before facing third-and-16 on its own 29-yard line with 1:55 remaining. That’s when Salter fired a pass up the middle of the field to receiver Joseph Williams for a 38-yard gain to help seal the win.

"We had to go get it," Sanders said of the latter play,

They did. His offensive line gave up no quarterback sacks. His defense held the Cyclones to 2-for-12 on third downs. Receiver Joseph Williams had eight catches for 128 yards and one touchdown in the third quarter.

Iowa State led at halftime

The Cyclones fell to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the Big 12. They led 10-7 at halftime after going 96 yards in 12 plays and scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run by Sama with 22 seconds in the first half. Before that, both teams had punted five times each, including four three-and-outs for Colorado.

Colorado’s only touchdown in the first half came on the Buffaloes’ third possession, when Colorado running back Micah Welch ran right for an 8-yard touchdown run on the last play of the first quarter to help his team take a 7-0 lead. The Buffs tried to tie the game on a 57-yard field goal to end the half but missed wide right.

Surgery and injuries for Colorado

Sanders, 58, underwent surgery earlier in the week to clear up blood clots in his left leg. But he coached the game as normal from the sideline, walking gingerly at times.

He has a history of arterial circulation problems in his lower body and had to sit down during his team’s previous game Oct. 4, a 35-21 loss at TCU.

Besides that, several top players for Colorado sat out the game because of injuries, including receiver Dre’Lon Miller, defensive end Arden Walker and receiver Isaiah Hardge. Running backs Simeon Price and DeKalon Taylor also have been out several games for the Buffaloes.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Colorado, Deion Sanders beat Iowa State with big plays, but what about that non-call?

Reporting by Brent Schrotenboer, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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