Sanders ‘proud’ of Buffs’ return effort vs

• Adam Rittenberg, ESPN

  • Elder WriterSep 30, 2023, 06:38 PM ET Close College football reporter.
  • Joined ESPN.com in 2008.
  • Graduate of Northwestern University.BOULDER, Colo.– Colorado

Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders opened his news conference Saturday with some dark humor.”A fantastic win,”he stated, before smiling.

“I’m just joking.” Colorado didn’t win versus No. 8 USC, falling

48-41 prior to a sellout crowd at Folsom Field that included celebrities from the sports and home entertainment world. Led by quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the Buffaloes outscored the Trojans 27-14 in the second half and 14-0 in the 4th quarter, while outgaining coach Lincoln Riley’s offense 564-498. Neither Deion nor Shedeur Sanders believes in ethical triumphes–“I don’t understand what that indicates,” Shedeur said– but Colorado’s strong 2nd half versus reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams and the Trojans continued to reset expectations and optimism for a program that went 1-11 in 2022.”In general, I’m truly happy,”Deion Sanders stated.”Not just of the boys, [however]

the coaches, the fan base, the student body. I’m genuinely pleased with the method we represented Stone today. “After a 42-6 loss last week at Oregon, in which they were nearly locked out, the Buffaloes appeared headed for another

reality check versus a Pac-12 heavyweight. USC raced out to a 34-7 lead behind four touchdown passes from Williams, who finished with 6 and 403 yards. Colorado tracked 41-14 midway through the third quarter following the 2nd touchdown reception by Brenden Rice, who started his career with the Buffaloes.Editor’s Picks But Shedeur Sanders rallied his group with help from Omarion Miller, who set a Colorado freshman record with 196 receiving lawns on 9 receptions.

“We simply needed to lock in and comprehend, ‘Look, this is not going to be a wrap-up of what occurred recently. We just not heading out like that,'” Shedeur Sanders stated. “Whatever it takes. That was the entire slogan today.”

Shedeur Sanders remedied numerous reporters and offered the proper pronunciation of Miller’s name, adding, “Everyone, this is my man, Omarion! He chose a lot of lawns today!” Sanders found Miller for a 9-yard touchdown through a tiny window on fourth-and-5 to bring Colorado within 2 touchdowns early in the fourth quarter.Miller, an ESPN four-star recruit, had actually not tape-recorded a reception in Colorado’s very first four games but stated he” dreamed about “a huge performance against USC.

“I’ve got so much to show, this is just one game,” Miller stated. “Y’ all ain’t seen nothing yet.”

Miller was among numerous young players to emerge for Colorado, which played without three defensive backs who started the season– security Myles Slusher, cornerback Travis Hunter and security Shilo Sanders, who missed his very first game with a kidney injury from the Oregon game. Freshman cornerback Cormani McClain, ESPN’s No. 14 general recruit whose preparation Deion Sanders called out during the week, had a pass breakup in the end zone and helped conceal a botched PAT attempt by USC.Deion Sanders stated he wants McClain “to be that dude, “and included that both McClain and Miller “separated themselves from their the other day,”which was” terrible.” He stated both have now reset expectations for themselves going forward.Shedeur Sanders, on the other hand, continued to raise the outlook after his 4th game of 348 pass lawns or more and third with 4 touchdown passes. Deion Sanders, who nicknamed his son”Grown” since of his maturity, said he had no doubt Shedeur would have led Colorado for another touchdown if the Buffaloes had actually recovered an onside kick with 1 minute, 43 seconds left.Deion Sanders called Shedeur “a baller”and”a now player.””He’s been developed and raised for this his

entire life,”Deion Sanders said.” The kid has actually constantly won, he

‘s always been dominant, he’s constantly been wise and smart and concise, he’s constantly been a competitor. … He’s always offered us a possibility to be successful in every level. “I could go on and on, but I don’t wish to seem like the father.

The kid can flat-out play. “Asked about sharing a stage with Williams, Shedeur Sanders replied,”

My stage is my stage.”His objective is for more complete games, as Colorado has actually been outscored 90-28 in the very first halves of its past 3 games.Deion Sanders stated the group’s strong surface is important, but the team is still looking for its

“real identity “after a 3-2 September in which Colorado ended up being the most significant story in college football.” If you can’t see what’s coming with CU football, you’ve lost your mind, “Sanders said.

“You’re simply a flat-out hater if you can’t see what’s going on and what’s going to transpire over the next several months. Something’s incorrect with you.”