Colorado narrowly prevailed 31–26 over FCS foe North Dakota State in the season opener on Thursday night in Boulder. In the final minutes, the Buffaloes avoided an embarrassing collapse, when the Bison missed a last-second Hail Mary try by a just five yards. Colorado coach Deion Sanders had mixed emotions following the game, but he also had a sharp message for anyone who was rooting for the opposition to win.
“Dude, we’re not here for looks. You should recall the ‘W’ or the ‘L,’ according to Sanders, as reported by BuffStampede. “You people are here for the ‘W’ or the ‘L,’ so you can take it apart all you want. While some of you are disappointed that we received a “W,” others are furious that we did not receive a “L.” God bless everyone of you. You’ll have to wait till the next week once more.”
Next Saturday, Colorado will play its first road game of the season against old Big 12 rival Nebraska.
Get the most recent information about your favorite college team’s football squad and recruiting.
Here is what Sanders had to say following Colorado’s season-opening victory over North Dakota State:
“You ever felt like you won but you didn’t win?” is the first sentence. It seems as though we were ahead of them in points. We take great satisfaction in going after the quarterback, and we have a lot of young players who can go get the quarterback, so it worried me that we gave up that final touchdown on the run. But I’m grateful and pleased that we received a “W.” Miss Peggy is getting closer to realizing the ideal and vision we have for her. I believe that tonight’s event attracted thirty-one NFL scouts.
That’s what they came to see, I believe, so let’s go on. We got the “W,” so I’m thrilled, but I’m going to do my hardest not to get angry.”
Regarding Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig’s injury update: “No, I don’t. Nothing at all. I’m hoping they get me one shortly. He is a leader, though. He is canine. His loss at the beginning of the game is painful because he is one of our defensive players. And it did.
IN THE SECOND HALF, COLORADO’S DEFENSIVE RESPONSE: “Well, we knew we were gonna get it together soon.” Almost every play that they ran was being called. The defensive coaches are doing a fantastic job, in my opinion. We simply need to be more adept at carrying out the plan and showing up at the appropriate locations. Even in the first half, I don’t think the ball got outside the numbers more than a few times. However, the child was putting on a show and finding the right receivers for the ball. We need to improve in the areas of having several picks, rub-routes, and bunch (formations). They took many actions that worked well for them.
“What an amazing game they played. Their head coach and staff are people I’m proud of. You cannot dismiss their past or what they have to offer. In their last several games, they had, I believe, defeated a number of Power Five clubs. Not pretty, but I’m delighted we managed to leave with the ‘W’.”
Regarding Colorado’s running backs: “We have strong running backs. We need to be more efficient in making use of them and gaining more yardage. We must accept what they have given us. Really, I don’t think that’s offending anyone. Charlie (Offerdahl) is Charlie; Hayden (Dallan) proved to you his capabilities. They scored just as we were preparing to substitute [Micah Welch] for the end of the game. He was going to put that game away running as physically as he does, so I wanted you guys to watch him. We can do much better, but I’m not entirely happy with the way we ran the ball, particularly with the yardage per [attempt].
About the three touchdowns scored by Travis Hunter: “Well, we called the first one. Travis is simply so explosive in every single one of them; we called it. We mentioned that you will be facing some really difficult opponents for anyone to compete against. However, there’s an issue when you back out and allow him to confront you. What he does, he did. Travis is an incredible athlete.”
On the 17-play, 80-yard touchdown drive in fourth quarter:
REGARDING HIS POSSIBLE USE OF SOLICE IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW: “I don’t believe the procedure was impure. I simply believe that we made a few mistakes. I know that you people would have been quick to criticize me if we hadn’t prevailed in the game by going for it on a fourth down. It eluded us. We must understand that. That needs to be converted. That is akin to stamping something along the lines of, “Guys, we gotta be physical.” Third- or fourth-and-1, that’s what we need to get. That’s what I think. You guys have my faith. I genuinely believe in you guys, so I’m not sorry I did that.”
Shedeur Sanders and Pat Shurmur have an amazing relationship. Their general chemistry and communication are excellent, and even when Shedeur hears Pat say anything to him on the field, trust me when I say that he will tell you. Shedeur is a wonderful child, but occasionally it costs him. He took a shot to LaJohntay (Wester) because he wanted him to have a huge play, but ultimately, we just want to run the ball and get out of here. due to the fact that you have the other two dogs playing hard.
He anticipated facing out against someone one on one. He simply didn’t spread the word far enough. That is the nature of him. “Dog, c’mon, dog,” is how I feel. Not at this moment. Now is not the time to play the nice guy. Time to put this game away, please. That’s what that was, though.
Regarding the decision to toss the ball rather than sprint during the last drive: “You have to accept what the people hand you. What is not there is not mine to take. For what purpose did [Shedeur Sanders] throw? 445 yards? Do you believe we’re angry? Who is complaining that there wasn’t a running game? The passing game did appear to be working very well today. Let’s be grateful and appreciative that one of the best players in college football is spinning it. We intend to run the ball. We will carry that out. There will be much greater balance. That kind of day was precisely today. You have to accept what they hand you.”
Regarding his desire to attempt to run the clock in the last few minutes: “No, no. First downs are what you desire. They got five down if you want to run out the time. You just have to glance outside and realize, “Well, I have a one-on-one right here.” This entire game, I haven’t seen a 1-on-1. Thus, I must take the necessary actions to move these chains. That’s precisely what it is.
Regarding Jimmy Horn Jr.: “Well, the reason for his high output is that he had Travis Hunter and Xavier Weaver on the field the previous season. Do you know the guy who recently joined the Arizona Cardinals? That guy is quite talented. That being said, Jimmy is Jimmy. Jimmy never seems to pout.
He is never seen jogging a path. Jimmy is going to give you everything he owns. Even with the weight on his shoulders, Jimmy is still playing for his father, dude. Jimmy, guy, recently returned from court after seeing his father’s sentencing. And he’s going to come out there, flip it, turn around, and present that to you? Boy, you know Pop is jamming in that thing right now, was how we were talking to each other at the time. Since it’s what sustains him. When he leaves, he wants to make things right for Pops.
He has my undying gratitude, and I adore him like a son. I’m also incredibly proud of him. I had no doubt that he would get down tonight. He carried out his actions.”
Regarding the revamped offensive line: “I’m content. You’d like to run the ball a little bit more, as I mentioned, but when you have over 500 yards of total offense, I promise I’ll have a nice night’s sleep. Excellent tonight with it. That’s fine with me. A little more balance is what we’d like to see, but what exactly is balance? In reality, balance is what wins. That is equilibrium. When you succeed, nobody says anything.”
ABOUT NORTH DAKOTA STATE QUARTERBACK CAM MILLER: “He played really well, I swear.” Man, those two youngsters played really well. They carried out their intended task. Not only can you toss the ball, but you can also run the ball, especially in between the numbers. I am not sure if they finished two balls outside of the designated numbers. However, they executed their offensive brilliantly. That youngster knows how to use his offense. He looked into a few things for them. Did a fantastic job, dude. I’m happy for him.
Because I don’t know many head coaches in college football, I had the opportunity to strike up a conversation with him before the game with their head coach. Usually, I just show there because I support my team. I am gaining knowledge. I assume you’re meant to play every game like that.”
Regarding Sheder Sanders getting struck in the pocket: “You never want to witness your quarterback, much less your son, get struck.” No, though; the offensive line had a strong performance. We must show some affection. The man was fired once and then, what, thirty-four times? That’s fine with me.”
Regarding Robert Livingston, the newly appointed defensive coordinator, he said after his first game, “He’s a great communicator, one of the best communicators I’ve been around.” His point is quite evident. Not just during the match, but also to make adjustments after halftime and start the second half. He did an excellent job handling everything, but you have to understand that when a guy goes down, this happens, we have guys losing contain. not to mention me over there expressing some of my own desires. He performed admirably.”
Regarding dismantling North Dakota State and defeating a team that does not commit many errors: “So, you have to realize that we knew we have a ton of athletes that it would be difficult to cover at the back end. We understood that Shedeur Sanders’ accuracy would be difficult for them. To get the ball, all we had to do was hold them and earn stops. We didn’t really have a lot of possession time in the first half—I believe they nearly tripled us. However, we were aware that once we adjusted defensively to get some stops, that would change. And we carried that out.
We were aware that they would not rest. We wanted to win handily, and it would have appeared better if we hadn’t given up that final score. But look on us not for looks, dude. What you recall is the ‘W’ or the ‘L’. You guys are just interested in the “W” or the “L,” so feel free to take it apart all you want. While some of you are disappointed that we received a “W,” others are furious that we did not receive a “L.” God bless you all, then. You’ll have to wait till the next week once more.”
Colorado Bowl predictions were reassessed following Deion Sanders’s team’s tepid victory over North Dakota State.
After Colorado’s 31-26 season-opening victory over North Dakota State on Thursday night, Deion Sanders and the team have a lot of work ahead of them. The Bison’s Hail Mary effort was unsuccessful as time ran out, falling four yards short of the goal zone despite a thrilling victory. Given the difficulties in Sanders’ debut season the previous year, the Buffaloes’ clear objective is to qualify for bowl games. However, there are still issues that could prevent them from doing so, most notably a weak run game and a lack of strength at the point of attack.
“After the game, you feel like you won, but you didn’t,” Sanders remarked. “Let’s put that behind us. I will do all in my power to control my rage. However, I’m glad we received a “W.”
Colorado was not included in bowl predictions for the preseason, and their performance versus the Bison does not change that. The Sporting News, CBS Sports, and The Athletic all excluded Colorado from their bowl selections. The only team that thought the Buffaloes would qualify for the postseason was Athlon Sports.
On their debut, Sanders and Hunter were amazing. Sanders completed with four touchdown passes, three of which found their way into Hunter’s arms, and 445 yards passing. Is it feasible for the Buffaloes to produce at that level every week? Will a defense that gave up 449 yards in total, 25 first downs, and no touchdown against an FCS opponent be able to survive in the revamped Big 12?
With a trip to Nebraska coming up in Week 2, these are questions that yet remain unsolved.
