Buffs ‘trending in right direction’ after UCF rout

Andrea Adelson, ESPN

• Senior Citizen WriterSep 28, 2024, 09:56 PM ET Close ACC reporter.
• Signed up with ESPN.com in 2010.
• Graduate of the University of Florida.ORLANDO, Fla.– As Colorado strolled

off the field following its finest win of the Deion Sanders era– a 48-21 dominance of UCF on a steamy Saturday afternoon– one staffer had a pointed message.” Keep informing them to make us 16-point underdogs!

“Colorado played its most total game to date, finding balance on offense while closing down the No. 1 run offense in the country, holding UCF nearly 200 yards below its average. The 27-point victory is Colorado’s largest road conference win because a 34-0 success over Oklahoma State in 2005. It also marked the Buffaloes’second win under Sanders as a double-digit underdog, though the line did close at 12.5 points.Editor’s Picks 1 Related Sanders batted away any idea his team played with additional motivation as such a large underdog against the unbeaten Knights.”We’re underdogs each week,”he said.

“Ain’t nobody want to see us win except for our fan base. That’s simply the nature of the game. We’re not mad about it. We understand who we are.

“So does the remainder of the country.No one can say it has actually been tiring. Through five games, Colorado has needed to rally to beat an FCS opponent(North Dakota State), needed a Hail Mary in overtime to surpass Baylor and likewise published two blowout wins.

Likewise in there was a frustrating 28-10 road loss to Nebraska in which Shedeur Sanders was sacked 5 times.Yet here they are, 4-1, matching their win total from a season ago.In the spring, Sanders guaranteed a minimum of a bowl berth, and after another lineup overhaul, questions again followed the program into the season. However there’s a reason the win over UCF was hailed as its finest under Sanders. Not only did Colorado find balance(128 lawns rushing, 290

yards passing)and a protective performance that restricted huge plays on the ground(UCF had 177 lawns rushing ), it was a group effort.Yes, Sanders threw for 290 lawns and 3 touchdowns. And yes, Travis Hunter had 9 catches for 89 backyards and a goal, along with an interception in the third quarter in which he darted in front of a pass at the last 2nd. Two times now this season, Hunter has had a touchdown reception and an interception in a game. As he stood, he struck a Heisman pose.But there was likewise Will Sheppard, who led all receivers with 99 lawns and included a score. There was Web Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig, who had a 95-yard fumble healing for a touchdown. And there was Preston Hodge, who had an interception of his own. Travis Hunter’s wedding day– 9 catches for 89 backyards and a touchdown, in addition to an interception– was among numerous enjoyed by Buffaloes players in Saturday’s dominant 48-21 win at UCF. Julio Aguilar/Getty Images Colorado had 5 sacks from 4

various players.After Silmon-Craig scored, Colorado graduate assistant Warren Sapp turned to the crowd and waved farewell.” I seem like we’re trending in the best instructions,”Deion Sanders stated.”I seem like you guys are seeing the fruit of a great deal of hard work,

a great deal of commitment, excellent hires. Bringing the best guys in

with the ideal attitude, the best work ethic. I enjoy where we are as a program. I truly do. Could we be much better? Of course,

I think everyone can, however I understand we’re trending in the ideal instructions. “Colorado is now 2-0 in Big 12 play headed into an open date before it hosts Kansas State on Oct. 12. The 2 conference wins already doubled what the Buffs had last season in the Pac-12 when they went 1-8. “Everybody’s purchased in. You can inform,” Silmon-Craig stated.”We don’t point fingers. We choose each other up. That’s the method we’re playing today. It’s certainly the most total win. It’s just the beginning. “Deion Sanders credited getting to Orlando a day early, on Wednesday, to avoid the results of Cyclone Helene as

one reason for the dominant effort.” Getting them away from everything and having them focus and lock in, we had some incredible walkthroughs in the hotel, and it was just unity,”he said. “All the guys consumed together

, they had conferences together, they’re seeing movie together. They responded enormously. They might have seethed and upset about us leaving prematurely, however they

were on it, and they did a fantastic task. “But there was also an acknowledgement the team might be in a various area based on how it responded to difficulty at various points before Saturday.”We could be in a whole various place right now, “Sanders stated. “However we’re 4-1 entering into the break, and I’m so ecstatic, you have no concept. It’s gon na be a really good aircraft

ride tonight.”