Deion Sanders says Colorado “never found their rhythm” against Nebraska.
*LINCOLN, Neb.– Following his team’s first loss of the season and the second-lowest scoring game of his coaching tenure, Colorado coach Deion Sanders was left searching for answers on how to revive his offense.
The Buffaloes were held scoreless in the first half, struggled to protect quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and managed only 16 rushing yards in their 28-10 defeat to Nebraska on Saturday night.
Colorado (1-1) quickly fell behind against a team they had defeated 36-14 last season. Down 14-0, Sanders threw an interception from his own end zone, which Nebraska’s Tommi Hill returned for a 7-yard touchdown. Sanders described the turnover as a “rookie mistake.” In the first quarter, Colorado ran 11 plays, finishing with minus-2 yards.
“The way we started doesn’t represent who we are,” Deion Sanders said, “and we just never got it together.”
Facing frequent pressure, Shedeur Sanders threw for 244 yards and one score on 23-of-38 passing.
He was sacked five times, and the Buffaloes went 4-of-14 on third-down conversions. He did not finish the game, exiting for the final four minutes of the fourth quarter as a precaution after a helmet-to-helmet hit.
Sanders told reporters afterward he was “a little banged up” but OK and praised Nebraska’s defensive line for its performance.
“Protections were a problem,” Deion Sanders said. “You know, I’m trying to be polite and say it, because you know I can say the same thing you’re thinking, but if I say it, you’d say I’m throwing my guys up under the bus. I’m not doing that whatsoever. Protections were a problem. We gotta figure out a way to prevent that and do a better job with that.”
Colorado couldn’t get much done in the run game to take pressure of its passer. Its running backs combined for five carries for 16 yards through three quarters and failed to convert two fourth-and-1 rushing attempts.
The Buffaloes finished last in the FBS in rushing yards in 2023 with 827 through 12 games. They threw for 445 yards and rushed for 59 in their 31-26 win against North Dakota State to open the season. After rebuilding the offensive line primarily with transfer portal additions, Deion Sanders acknowledged his team needs to figure out how to execute a consistent run game.
When asked why Colorado’s offense struggled to respond to Nebraska’s defense, Sanders said, “I have no idea. If we knew the answer, we probably would have adjusted faster. It felt like we just couldn’t get things going until it was too late.”
The Buffaloes were down 28-0 at halftime after Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola threw a pass over the middle to running back Rahmir Johnson. Colorado linebacker LaVonta Bentley nearly intercepted it, but the ball bounced into Johnson’s hands, allowing him to score an 18-yard touchdown.
“When things like that happen, you just have to tip your hat and say, ‘It’s not our day,'” Sanders said. “Plays like that don’t usually happen. It was unbelievable. Great play.”
Colorado’s defense held strong in the second half, not allowing any more points and forcing five straight punts. Deion Sanders appreciated his team’s effort, but there were too many errors, including nine penalties for 104 yards and a blocked field goal, making it difficult to stage a comeback.
Shedeur Sanders mentioned that the team would regroup and focus on improvement.
The Buffaloes face in-state rival Colorado State on the road next Saturday, a team that pushed them to overtime in 2023, before starting Big 12 conference play on Sept. 21 against Baylor.
With one of the most challenging schedules ahead, Colorado will need better offensive balance and more scoring. “We have a great offense,” Deion Sanders said. “We should be able to move the ball against anyone. With the experience we have, we should be able to protect better. Today, it just didn’t happen.”
