Karrueche Tran’s trip to watch the Colorado Buffaloes ended up being far more stressful than she expected. She was trying to reach Boulder for the team’s Friday-night game against No. 14 Houston when a nationwide aviation disruption grounded departing flights across the country.
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop after a telecommunications failure affected the air traffic control system. Departing flights were halted for more than four hours, although aircraft already in the air were still able to land. The disruption caused extensive delays and cancellations, including at Denver International Airport.
Tran spent eight hours at the airport as uncertainty mounted. Passengers had been told that boarding would begin soon, but her flight was ultimately canceled. She made an urgent dash through the terminal in an effort to salvage her travel plans, only to be left waiting as options narrowed and the situation continued to change.
Despite being unable to make the trip as planned, Tran stayed focused on the Buffaloes’ game. She watched the action alongside friends from wherever she was stranded, following the team as it battled Houston.
Afterward, she shared an exhausted-looking selfie on her Instagram Stories and described the day as an emotional rollercoaster. “Quite the emotional rollercoaster today between the airport and the game but I’m glad I’m safe and I’m glad the Buffs won.. let’s just pray my flight takes off tomorrow,” she wrote.
The game provided a dramatic payoff for Colorado fans. The Buffaloes trailed 20-7 late in the second quarter before scoring 28 unanswered points on their way to a 42-32 victory.
Richard Young, DeKalon Taylor and JaQuail Smith each contributed long touchdown runs. Isaac Wilson connected with Joseph Williams for a major score, while Colorado’s defense and special teams helped the team hold on when it mattered.
The win was Colorado’s first against an AP Top 15 opponent in 19 years, dating back to 2007, and ended a lengthy stretch of frustration against ranked teams. The Buffaloes improved to 4-6, keeping their bowl hopes alive with two games remaining. Fans celebrated by storming the field, as they had after the team’s Halloween victory over Kansas State.
Head coach Deion Sanders sounded relieved after the win and credited all three phases of the game. “It was balance,” he said. “We all caught the same bus. The offense showed up. The defense showed up. Special teams showed up.” He also emphasized that rankings were not his focus: “We want to win, period.”
Tran has supported Sanders through several difficult periods in recent years. Their relationship became public in mid-2025, while he was dealing with bladder cancer surgery. She supported him during his recovery and procedures involving his toes, including his adjustment to prosthetic toes. Tran has jokingly called him “Little Foot” and described how they use humor to face challenges while he continues coaching, horseback riding and pursuing his daily activities.
The aviation disruption affected more than Tran’s plans. College football teams across the country had to adjust their travel arrangements, and some games were postponed, including matchups in the SEC. Colorado State held a walkthrough on the tarmac at Northern Colorado Regional Airport while waiting to take off. Although the ground stop was eventually lifted, flight delays and cancellations continued to affect passengers into the weekend.
For Tran, the day brought both relief and uncertainty. Colorado had earned a major comeback win, and she was safe, but her flight home remained in doubt. Her eight-hour wait, canceled flight and determination to follow the game reflected the emotional swings of a night when both travel plans and the Buffaloes’ fortunes seemed uncertain.
Colorado’s 42-32 victory gave the program a significant moment in a difficult season. Tran was not in the stands, but she remained engaged throughout the game while waiting for a chance to continue her journey. As she looked ahead to the next flight, her hope was simple: that the planes would be moving again the following day.
