Refusing to Let His Players Come to Press Conference, Deion Sanders Takes Full Accountability for Colorado’s Humiliating 52-17 Loss
Former NFL cornerback-turned coach Deion Sanders has won 16 games for the Colorado Buffaloes and lost 18.
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Deion Sanders (Image via Newsweek)
The Colorado Buffaloes’ second season in their return to the Big 12 has shaped up to be nothing like the first year. The Buffaloes (3-6) have just one win against a conference rival and three overall, putting them just ahead of West Virginia Mountaineers (3-6) and Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-8).
The Buffaloes latest game was against the unranked Arizona Wildcats. Courtesy of Noah Fifita‘s four touchdowns from 11 completions and 213 yards and Ismail Mahdi‘s 3 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown, the Wildcats steamrolled the Buffaloes into a 52-17 loss.
It was the second time a team racked up more than 50 points against the Buffaloes this season, the first being a week before by the Utah Utes. It’s a tough time for the head coach Deion Sanders, who’s dealing with recurring health conditions, on top of his team’s misfortunes.
However, the former Dallas Cowboys legend took a step back from his tough love routine. The head coach decided to avoid throwing his players to the wolves by refusing them to appear at the post game press conference. It also extended to the different coordinators of the roster. He even admitted that the fault is completely his, not the first time that’s happening this year.
No one will be available tonight. It’s on me. Don’t attack the coordinators. Come at me. Don’t attack the players. Come at me. This is me. This has nothing to do with them, it has everything to do with me.
Deion Sanders told reporters at his post-game press conference
Sanders further said he isn’t sure what’s gone wrong, but when asked if he doubts his ability to turn things around, he was firm, he has none.
I have no idea. If I knew, I wouldn’t have allowed it to happen. It’s on me… I never doubt me. I don’t doubt me. Let’s get that straight. I don’t doubt me. So, next question. The confidence level of me doing this job, I’m built for this. I don’t doubt me.
Deion Sanders added
Misery continues for the Deion Sanders with his inconsistent quarterback room in Colorado Buffaloes
Deion Sanders once again found himself shuffling through quarterbacks after Kaidon Salter’s ongoing struggles continued to plague the Buffaloes’ offense. Salter endured a rough outing, completing 11 of 15 passes for just 49 yards and committing two turnovers. He was even stripped for a crucial sack that resulted in an Arizona touchdown, further extending the team’s turnover woes.
The Colorado Buffaloes employed four different quarterbacks in that game. Usually, such rapid quarterback changes could rattle the plans of any opponent. However, even the opponents, Arizona Wildcats knew that this could happen at Folsom Field.
I don’t even think we thought of it that way. We kind of spend the week preparing, thinking that we might see at least three of them. And really, for us it was more, much more of a focus on us and how we play. Those are their decisions to make, not ours.
Brent Brennan, the Arizona Wildcats head coach, said
The Wildcats were expecting such an occurrence which really exposed the Buffaloes’ quarterback inconsistencies. Kaidon Salters was replaced by sophomore Ryan Staub took over to start the second half but offered little improvement, tossing interceptions on both of his pass attempts. However, their next quarterback showed the most promise among the ones who played in their jersey.
Freshman Julian Lewis showed flashes of promise, though Sanders’ decision to use him raised eyebrows given his potential redshirt status. Lewis ultimately completed 9 of 17 passes for 121 yards and guided the offense on two scoring drives. His highlight was the third quarter connection with Omarion Miller on a deep 59-yard touchdown strike. The last quarterback who appeared on the ground was sophomore Dominiq Ponder who had just a single attempt.
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