In Boulder, Colorado, Coach Deion Sanders began his Saturday press conference with a touch of humor, playfully remarking, “What a fantastic victory,” before flashing a smile. However, Colorado couldn’t secure a win against the No. 8 USC, falling short with a final score of 48-41 in front of a packed Folsom Field, filled with sports and entertainment luminaries.
The Buffaloes, led by quarterback Shedeur Sanders, executed an impressive second-half comeback, outscoring the Trojans 27-14 and shutting them out entirely with a 14-0 score in the fourth quarter. They also outperformed Coach Lincoln Riley’s offense with 564 yards compared to USC’s 498.
Both Deion and Shedeur Sanders don’t embrace the concept of moral victories, with Shedeur stating, “I’m not sure what that means.” Nevertheless, Colorado’s robust second-half performance against the reigning Heisman Trophy holder Caleb Williams and the Trojans is reshaping expectations and boosting optimism for a program that struggled with a dismal 1-11 record in 2022.
Deion Sanders conveyed his pride, not only in the young athletes but also in the coaching staff, fan base, and the university’s student body. He expressed, “In general, I’m genuinely proud of how we represented Boulder today.”
Colorado vs #8 USC Highlights (by Well Off Media)https://t.co/A0g7L35zIL
— Deion Sanders Jr (@DeionSandersJr) September 30, 2023
Following a tough 42-6 loss to Oregon the previous week, where they came close to being shut out, the Buffaloes appeared to be heading for another reality check against a formidable Pac-12 opponent. USC raced ahead with a commanding 34-7 lead early in the game, thanks to four touchdown passes from Williams, who ultimately concluded the match with six touchdowns and 403 passing yards.
Colorado found themselves trailing 41-14 midway through the third quarter, following Brenden Rice’s second touchdown reception, a player who originally started his career with the Buffaloes.
Nonetheless, Shedeur Sanders sparked a spirited resurgence in his team, with Omarion Miller providing invaluable support by setting a new freshman record for Colorado with 196 receiving yards on nine catches.
“We had to stay focused and acknowledge that this game wouldn’t mirror what occurred last week. We weren’t going down that path,” emphasized Shedeur Sanders. “We were ready to go to any lengths necessary. That was our mantra for the entire week.”
Shedeur Sanders took a moment to kindly correct a few reporters on the correct pronunciation of Miller’s name, enthusiastically introducing him as, “Everyone, meet my buddy, Omarion! He had an incredible yardage performance today!” Sanders connected with Miller for a 9-yard touchdown pass, threading the needle on a fourth-and-5 play, which brought Colorado within two touchdowns early in the fourth quarter.
Omarion Miller, a highly regarded ESPN four-star recruit, hadn’t made a single reception in Colorado’s first four games. Nevertheless, he openly admitted to envisioning a standout performance against USC. “I have plenty to prove, and this is only the start,” Miller confidently affirmed. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”
Miller was just one of the promising young talents who emerged for Colorado. The team had to compete without three starting defensive backs from the beginning of the season, including safety Myles Slusher, cornerback Travis Hunter, and safety Shilo Sanders, who missed his first game due to a kidney injury sustained in the Oregon match. Freshman cornerback Cormani McClain, ranked as ESPN’s No. 14 overall recruit, faced criticism from Deion Sanders during the week but responded with a crucial pass breakup in the end zone and contributed to salvaging a failed PAT attempt by USC.
Deion Sanders expressed his aspirations for McClain to become a standout player and commended both McClain and Miller for distancing themselves from their earlier lackluster performances. He emphasized that they had set higher expectations for themselves moving forward.
Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders continued to raise the bar after his fourth game with 348 or more passing yards and his third game with four touchdown passes. Deion Sanders, affectionately calling his son “Grown” due to his maturity, displayed unwavering confidence that Shedeur would have led Colorado to another touchdown had the Buffaloes recovered an onside kick with 1 minute and 43 seconds remaining. Deion Sanders lavished praise on Shedeur, describing him as “a true playmaker” and “a player for the here and now.”
“He has been groomed and prepared for this his entire life,” Deion Sanders commented. “This young man has consistently been a winner, a dominant force, remarkably intelligent and concise, and an intense competitor. I could go on listing his qualities, but I want to avoid sounding like a proud father. The reality is, this young man is an exceptional player.”
When Shedeur Sanders was asked about sharing the stage with Williams, he responded, “I have my own stage.” His goal is to have more complete games, as Colorado has been trailing 90-28 in the first halves of their past three games.
Deion Sanders stressed that while the team’s strong finish is crucial, they are still in the process of defining their “true identity” following a September with a 3-2 record, a month in which Colorado became a prominent topic in college football.
“If you can’t see the future of CU football, you must be missing something,” Sanders asserted. “If you can’t grasp the exciting developments that will unfold over the next few months, then you might simply have a negative outlook. There’s something off with your perspective.”
ALSO READ:
- Adams on Sanders’ achievements at Colorado
- Jason Kelce Announces Retirement
- Packers chose Josh Jacobs over Aaron Jones. Why?
