What Colorado's Deion Sanders said after the loss to Kansas State

After the Colorado Buffaloes' narrow 31-28 loss to No. 18 Kansas State, head coach Deion Sanders looked back on the game and expressed both frustration and optimism in his postgame remarks. His message focused primarily on the Buffaloes' inability to stop the run, their defensive failures and the impact of key injuries, but also praised the heart and strength of his team.

Sanders first addressed the defense's struggles against Kansas State's rushing attack, which totaled 224 yards. He highlighted how this allowed Kansas State to dominate time of possession and keep Colorado's offense off the field. “That was the goal, to stop the run,” Sanders said. “We didn’t do that at all. They had 224 yards rushing and they ended up dominating in time of possession, which is not good because now we can't go on the field and do what we're capable of doing.”

He also praised Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman for preparing his team well for the game. Since Sanders has a similar FCS background to Klieman, he emphasized that he respects his counterpart's ability to coach at a high level.

The game ended in a last-minute drive where Colorado tried to clinch the victory but failed. As he reflected on the defensive mistakes that gave Kansas State its final chance to score, Sanders was critical of the missed coverages that allowed big plays, especially at critical moments. “In a situation like this, the running backs should never run wide open down the sideline,” Sanders said. “Then they shoot and hit us low, giving no clue as to who we are.”

One of Colorado's biggest challenges in this game was losing key players like Travis Hunter, Jimmy Horn Jr. and Omarion Miller, all of whom were injured. Sanders admitted how much her absence affected the team's performance. “The loss of Travis, Jimmy and others was huge because they are an important part of our team, an important part of our identity,” Sanders admitted. However, he was also proud of the players who stepped up in their absence and demonstrated the team's resilience and strength.

On offense, the Buffaloes struggled with execution in the run game and pass protection. Sanders recognized that the playcalls were sound, but felt the players didn't execute correctly. “We didn’t execute it. We're missing a block here. We missed that there. “We just couldn’t get it done,” he said, pointing to the six sacks the offensive line allowed. However, he also acknowledged that Shedeur Sanders, his quarterback, had to get the ball out quicker at times.

When asked about Shedeur's performance, particularly in terms of sacks and tackles, Deion Sanders refrained from being overly critical. Instead, he emphasized the importance of understanding what the quarterback sees on the field. “You would never guess that some things would happen, and they do. That’s why you have to hear from a quarterback,” Sanders explained. He also expressed confidence in Shedeur's ability to give Colorado a chance to win games, especially in critical moments.

Despite the loss, Sanders remained proud of his team's resilience. The Buffaloes overcame a 10-point deficit late in the game and showed their fighting spirit in the process. “I mean, you know this is a completely different team. This team has heart, they have integrity, they are tough and they love playing this game. We just fell short.”

Coach Prime was asked for his overall assessment of Shilo Sanders' player performance upon his return from injury. He was honest and didn't hold back. “I thought he played terribly,” Sanders said. “I thought (Shilo) was rusty. “I thought he had no grip. I thought he wouldn't collapse. He will try to master the game, but with this kind of support, playing one-on-one in an open field is not an easy task. But he will do better. I know what's inside him.

A bright spot for the Buffaloes was the performance of their younger players, particularly in the wide receiver room, where injuries had forced the depth players into action. Sanders praised freshmen like Omarion Miller and Drelon Miller for stepping up in crucial moments. “Omarion, he could play…he could start if you wanted him to,” Sanders said. “And Drelon, being a true freshman and contributing as much as he has, is phenomenal.” He also pointed out that nine different receivers caught passes in the game, which he said was a testament to the depth and talent of his squad .

While Sanders acknowledged disappointment in the loss, he remained focused on the bigger picture and urged his players to reflect on themselves and learn from their mistakes. The loss to Kansas State was tough, but Sanders emphasized the need to take advantage of opportunities and be better prepared for the future.