Shedeur takes ‘a whipping,’ gets injection in loss

• Paolo Uggetti, ESPNOct 29, 2023, 02:01 AM ET

PASADENA, Calif.– Shedeur Sanders’ exhausted demeanor and the box rating from Colorado’s 28-16 loss to UCLA on Saturday told a comparable story.Over the course of 60 minutes at the Rose Bowl, Shedeur had actually been sacked 7 times, hit 17 other times and knocked down 13 times, and he was pressured in the backfield on numerous more occasions.While the Buffs’offense stopped working to score a touchdown up until late in the 4th quarter, Shedeur invested his night rushing, moving or folding under the weight of the Bruins ‘protectors. Colorado handled just 38 hurrying lawns and 255 total backyards, a debilitating combination that prevented its quarterback from doing what he does finest: throw the ball down the field.”I’m a little biased due to the fact that I’m his dad, but I think we have the best quarterback in the nation,”Buffs coach Deion Sanders said of Shedeur, who was 27-of-43 for 217 backyards.” I don’t believe any other quarterback might endure having to stand and provide like he needs to every week in, week out, taking a pounding. “Editor’s Picks 2 Related What wasn’t clear in the beginning was later revealed by Deion: The hits Shedeur has actually soaked up in recent weeks and on Saturday caused him getting an injection at halftime to”block some of the pain, “according to Deion, who said he would offer Shedeur the next couple of days off.While Sanders did not define what sort of discomfort Shedeur was handling throughout Saturday’s game, he did reveal regret in how inadequately Shedeur has actually been secured.” Overall, we simply don’t have the fight and the passion to do what we wish to do,” Deion said of the offending line, which has been even more depleted with injuries.” The line needs to improve.

We have to have sufficient depth to be able to achieve the goals that we set out to achieve.”Colorado– and by extension Shedeur– has actually been among the most pressured groups in the country. Entering into Saturday’s game, the Buffs were allowing 5 sacks per game, ranking 132nd out of 133 teams in the nation. The trickle-down effect of poor line play has actually caused a quickly declining running game, putting much more pressure on Shedeur to make magic occur in the backfield.”It’s truly discouraging due to the fact that I simply need to get feedback feeling in one’s bones what’s open and what’s not,”Shedeur said, while taking responsibility for the offense not being on the same page.”I just got to make my mind up faster and get the ball out of my hands quicker.

“Against the Bruins, Colorado’s offending strategy appeared to focus on quick throws from Shedeur to cutting receivers or on screens. However the UCLA defense, among the very best in the country, quickly snuffed out the technique. By the time Colorado discovered itself down in the game, its play on the line did not fit the requirement to throw downfield.” It’s a struggle to run the ball and we got to figure that out because now you’re one dimensional, “Deion said.”And it’s simple to stop a group when they’re one dimensional. That’s who we are at this point in time.” Despite a strong start for the Colorado defense– which included two acrobatic interceptions by two-way star Travis Hunter– the system eventually broke down without security Shilo Sanders, who was ejected due to targeting, and without much help from the offensive side of the ball. The Bruins finished with 487 yards of offense and 14 points in the fourth quarter to seal the result.Deion, as he’s wont to do, did not mince words on what Colorado needs to improve and contend at a greater level. He stated the Buffs need to get a much better offensive line. But when asked about whether he bears in mind the Buffs ‘quest to 6 wins and a bowl berth, he bristled at the notion that he or the group– presently 4-4 after a 3-0 start– was focused on that.”I don’t provide a damn about no bowl, “Deion stated.”We’re attempting to win, duration. The consistency there just isn’t there at this point since of the absence of talent in certain positions.”In spite of the loss and the climb to Colorado’s very first bowl game look given that 2020 looking tougher, Coach Prime, the showman, was still present after the game. The smiles and the quips were still plenty and so were the harsh facts. But as always, the message of long-term optimism persisted. “I would like to win. I’m accustomed to winning and we will win,”

Deion stated.” Simply put your safety belt on and hang on. We’ll win. “