Deion Sanders, the coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, began his news conference on Saturday with some gloomy humor.”A wonderful win,” he said, before smiling. “I’m just joking.”
In front of a sold-out crowd at Folsom Field that included stars from the sports and entertainment industries, Colorado lost to No. 8 USC, losing 48-41. The Buffaloes, led by quarterback Shedeur Sanders, outgained coach Lincoln Riley’s offense 564-498 as they defeated the Trojans 27-14 in the second half and 14-0 in the fourth quarter.
Although neither Shedeur nor Deion Sanders believe in moral triumphs (“I don’t know what that means,” Shedeur remarked), Colorado’s impressive second-half performance against the Trojans and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams continued to raise hopes and expectations for a team that had a dismal 2022 season record of 1-11.
I’m pretty pleased with myself overall,” Deion Sanders remarked. “Not just the students, but also the coaches, the fan base, and the young men. I genuinely appreciate how well we represented Boulder today.
The Buffaloes seemed set for another reality check against a Pac-12 powerhouse following a 42-6 setback at Oregon last week in which they were almost shut out. Williams, who finished with six and 403 yards, threw four touchdown passes as USC jumped out to a 34-7 lead. After Brenden Rice, who began his career with the Buffaloes, caught his second touchdown pass, Colorado was down 41–14 midway through the third quarter.
Omarion Miller, who set a Colorado rookie record with 196 receiving yards on nine grabs, assisted Shedeur Sanders in inspiring his squad.
“Look, this is not going to be a review of what happened last week,’ we simply had to lock in and realize. We simply won’t leave it like that,’ Shedeur Sanders declared. Whatever is necessary. This week, that was the guiding principle.
Omarion is my man, Shedeur Sanders said as he corrected a few reporters and gave the right pronunciation of Miller’s name. He went for a lot of yards today. On fourth-and-5, Sanders connected with Miller for a 9-yard touchdown to get Colorado within two scores. This was early in the fourth quarter.
Miller, a four-star recruit according to ESPN, admitted that he “dreamed about” having a huge game versus USC despite not having a reception in Colorado’s first four games.
Miller remarked, “This is just one game, but I’ve got so much to prove. You haven’t seen anything yet, I say.
Colorado went without three defensive backs who started the season — safety Myles Slusher, cornerback Travis Hunter, and safety Shilo Sanders — who missed his first game due to a kidney injury sustained during the Oregon game. Miller was one of several young players to stand out for Colorado. Cormani McClain, a rookie cornerback and the No. 14 overall recruits, according to ESPN, had a pass breakup in the end zone and assisted in covering up a missed PAT by USC. Deion Sanders had criticized McClain’s preparedness earlier in the week.
McClain and Miller both “separated themselves from their yesterday,” which was “terrible,” according to Deion Sanders, who also claimed he wants McClain “to be that dude.” Both, he claimed, have now revised their goals for the future.
Shedeur Sanders, on the other hand, kept improving the outlook following his third game with four touchdown passes and a fourth game with 348 or more passing yards. Deion Sanders stated he had no doubt Shedeur would have led Colorado for another score if the Buffaloes had recovered an onside kick with 1 minute, 43 seconds left. Sanders gave his son the nickname “Grown” due to his maturity.
Shedeur was described by Deion Sanders as “a baller” and “a new player.”
Deion Sanders remarked, “He’s been built and nurtured for this his entire life. “The kid has always come out on top, he’s always been the dominating one, smart, intelligent and clear-thinking, and he’s always been a competitor. We have always had a chance to succeed because of him.
But I don’t want to sound like the dad, I could go on and on. The child is just plain talented.
When asked if she would share a stage with Williams, Shedeur Sanders responded, “My stage is my stage.” Since Colorado has been outscored 90-28 in the first halves of its last three games, he wants to play more complete games.
Deion Sanders stated that despite the team’s good finish, it is still looking for its “true identity” following a 3-2 September in which Colorado emerged as the top college football story.
“If you can’t see what’s coming with CU football, you’ve lost your mind,” Sanders remarked. “If you can’t see what’s happening and what’s going to happen over the next few months, you’re just a flat-out hater,”