What Colorado's Deion Sanders said after the upset win over UCF

The Colorado Buffaloes secured a monumental 48-21 win, improving their season record to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in Big 12 play after an unexpected and decisive win as 14.5-point underdogs. Their 27-point win represents the program's largest margin when entering a game as underdogs by at least 14 points, breaking the previous record set in 1974 when they defeated Oklahoma State by 13 points. This victory is also the Buffaloes' largest road game win in the conference since their 34-0 victory over Oklahoma State in 2005, marking a significant achievement for coach Deion Sanders and his team.

Coach Sanders, also known as Coach Prime, was full of praise for UCF head coach Gus Malzahn after the game. “I have the utmost respect for Coach Malzahn,” Sanders said. “He keeps me going and inspires me tremendously with what he has brought to college football.” The mutual respect between the coaches underscored the importance of this game, especially for Sanders, who previously coached his son Shedeur Sanders into one during his recruitment took with him from Malzahn's camps.

On the field, the Buffaloes implemented a balanced and effective offensive strategy and gained 418 total yards, including 128 on the ground. The return of Dallan Hayden, a transfer from Ohio State, was crucial as he contributed a rushing touchdown and provided more consistency to Colorado's backfield. Micah Welch also found the end zone on the ground, complementing the Buffs' aerial attack and providing enough variety to keep the UCF defense on its toes. It was difficult for UCF to adjust to the balance of the offensive unit and it allowed Colorado to control the game.

Colorado's defense played an equally crucial role, especially against UCF's rushing attack, which was among the best in the country early in the game. The Knights only managed 177 rushing yards, well below their season average. UCF quarterback KJ Jefferson struggled to deal with Colorado's aggressive defense, which sacked him five times and forced him into several tough situations. The Buffaloes' defensive line dominated the line of scrimmage, and the defense as a whole limited Jefferson's effectiveness as both a runner and passer, disrupting UCF's offensive rhythm throughout the game.

Coach Prime was thrilled with the team's outstanding performance and called it a key part of their game plan. “God, I guess so,” Sanders said of her rushing stats, emphasizing the importance of a balanced attack. Sanders believes in his team's ability to achieve such balance and was proud of the best rushing performance under his leadership.

Despite the team's success, Sanders admitted that practices leading up to the game weren't ideal. “It was okay. It wasn't great,” he said, explaining that the team had to adapt to weather conditions and prepare for Hurricane Helene, which was expected to hit Florida. Arriving at state early helped the team focus and regroup and allowed for solid runs at the hotel that ultimately contributed to their win.

A key part of Colorado's defensive game plan was to make UCF one-dimensional and force them to rely on their passing game more than they would have liked. This strategy worked as Colorado's offense was able to keep up with UCF's scoring but limited their ability to run the ball effectively. The defensive game plan combined with a solid offensive performance pushed UCF out of their comfort zone and forced them to throw the ball more than usual.

One of the game's standout players was Travis Hunter, who shined on both sides of the ball. Hunter caught nine passes for 89 yards and a touchdown on offense, while on defense he recorded two tackles, a pass breakup and an interception. This performance marked the second game of Hunter's career in which he scored a receiving touchdown and recorded an interception, the first occurring earlier in the season against Colorado State. His versatility was invaluable to Colorado's success and Coach Prime expressed his admiration for Hunter's work ethic.

CU quarterback Shedeur Sanders also had a strong game, completing 28 of 35 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns. He added 28 rushing yards, contributing to Colorado's balanced offensive attack. Wide receiver LaJohntay Wester added three catches for 34 yards and his fifth touchdown of the season, extending his streak of games with a touchdown to four.

The Buffaloes' defense was relentless, holding UCF, the nation's top rushing team, well below their season average of 375.7 rushing yards. Colorado recorded five sacks and 13 tackles for a loss, with freshman Taje McCoy recording the first two sacks of his career. Additionally, Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig's 95-yard fumble return scored a touchdown, which was the second-longest in Colorado history.

The win was particularly gratifying for Florida native Coach Prime, who was looking forward to returning to his home state, seeing old friends while leading his team to victory. He also mentioned the contributions of several Florida players on the roster who played key roles in the victory.

Overall, this win was a statement for Colorado and Deion Sanders, as the team continues to show that it is a force to be reckoned with in the Big 12.