Key Points:
- Colorado suffered another blowout loss, falling 52-17 to Arizona after last week’s 53-7 defeat to Utah.
- Deion Sanders benched multiple quarterbacks, with freshman Julian Lewis providing the lone highlight on a 59-yard TD.
- Sanders vowed to fix Colorado’s issues, hinting at possible staff changes as bowl hopes fade at 3-6.
Coming off a brutal 53-7 Week 9 loss to the Utah Utes, Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes were looking to bounce back against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday.
However, it was the same story for the Buffs as they quickly fell behind 17-0 in the first quarter and went into halftime down 38-7. Before the first half closed, Sanders benched Liberty quarterback transfer Kaidon Salter, who completed 11-of-15 passes for 49 yards with one touchdown pass, one interception and a fumble lost. He turned to Ryan Staub, who threw two passes that were both intercepted before inserting five-star freshman quarterback Julian Lewis.
While Lewis connected with Omarion Miller on a 59-yard touchdown pass for what was the lone joyous moment for Colorado, the Buffs went on to lose 52-17. According to Buff Zone’s Brian Howell, this marked the first time since 2022 when Colorado went 1-11 that the team gave up 50 points in consecutive games.
When speaking to the media after the game, Sanders was asked what his message to recruits would be after his team was outscored 105-24 over the past two weeks. In typical Sanders fashion, he didn’t shy away from rattling off a response that will certainly turn some heads.
“I don’t have to explain it,” Sanders said. “They saw it. See you got to understand if you’re a dog, you want to come here and right the wrong. If you a cat, you look at the scoreboard and you run. Which one are you?”
What changes can Deion Sanders make?
Coming into Saturday, Colorado’s offense ranked No. 107 in college football in total offense, while the defense ranked No. 119. With Colorado falling to 3-6 on the season, it may be too little too late to make a change to salvage this season. With that being said, the third-year head coach may need to reevaluate both the performance of offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and defensive coordinator Robert Livingston, and possibly replace both.
Colorado can still technically make a bowl game, as it would need to win its final three games. Based on Saturday’s showing, Lewis gives them the best chance of doing so. The true freshman finished the game having completed 9-of-17 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown, but did exit in the final few plays with an apparent hand injury.
When speaking to the media after the game, Sanders assured the media that he has the answer to Colorado’s problems.
“I have the answer,” Sanders said. “I’m trying my best not to say what I want to say and I’m trying my best not to give…everything. But I’m trying to be transparent.”
The Buffs take on West Virginia (3-6) next Saturday in a battle between two of the worst teams in the Big 12.