Deion Sanders Critiques Colorado’s Performance in Kansas Defeat: ‘Not Our Game’

Colorado's hopes for a Big 12 Championship appearance and a potential College Football Playoff (CFP) berth took a major hit as they fell to Kansas in a decisive 37-21 loss. Here’s a breakdown of what went wrong for the Buffaloes and what the victory means for Kansas.

Kansas’ Statement Win

1. Dominant Ground Game
   • Devin Neal:
     • 287 yards from scrimmage (207 rushing, 80 receiving).
     • Scored 4 total touchdowns on a career-high 37 carries, cementing his place as Kansas' all-time leading rusher.
   • The Jayhawks racked up 331 rushing yards, overwhelming Colorado’s defensive front.
2. Time of Possession & Efficiency
   • Kansas controlled the ball for 40:11, leaving Colorado with just 19:49 of possession.
   • The Jayhawks converted 11 third- or fourth-down attempts and didn’t punt or commit a turnover.
3. Historic Achievement
   • Kansas became the first team in FBS history with a losing record to defeat three consecutive top-25 teams.
   • A win at Baylor next week would secure bowl eligibility for the third straight season, a first in program history.

Colorado’s Troubles

1. Slow Start
   • Colorado’s offense sputtered early:
     • Their first drive ended in a three-and-out, leading to an 11-minute defensive stretch.
     • A failed fourth-down attempt on their second drive led to Kansas extending their lead to 17-0.
2. Rushing Ineffectiveness
   • Colorado managed only 42 rushing yards, while Kansas steamrolled for 331.
3. Defensive Breakdown
   • Despite significant improvement this season, Colorado’s defense couldn’t stop Kansas:
     • Allowed 520 total yards, including 205 rushing yards in the first half alone.
     • Jayhawks didn’t punt the entire game.
4. Key Performances Overshadowed
   • Travis Hunter:
     • 8 catches, 125 yards, and 2 touchdowns.
   • Shedeur Sanders:
     • 266 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, 23-of-29 completions.
   • Despite their efforts, Colorado’s early deficits made it difficult for them to stage a comeback.

Deion Sanders’ Take

Coach Sanders blamed the loss on his team getting "intoxicated" by their recent success, stating:

"We got intoxicated with the multitude of articles and the assumption that we're this and the assumption that we're that. And we did not play CU football."

While praising Kansas' physicality, Sanders took responsibility for Colorado’s inability to adjust, adding:

"We could not stop the bleeding... They out-physicaled us. They wanted it a lot more than we did."

What’s Next?

• For Colorado:
  • A critical matchup against Oklahoma State (3-8) awaits, but they’ll need significant help from other teams to reach the Big 12 title game.
  • Deion Sanders promised his team would look "much better" in their finale, aiming to end the regular season on a high note.
• For Kansas:
  • The Jayhawks (5-6) are on the cusp of bowl eligibility and riding high after three straight ranked wins.
  • They’ll face Baylor with momentum and a shot at capping off a remarkable turnaround season.

Final Thought

Kansas exposed Colorado’s weaknesses, particularly on defense and in the trenches. For Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes, this game serves as a harsh reminder of the work still needed to establish sustained success. Meanwhile, Kansas has proven its resiliency, turning a once-lost season into a potential historic finish.

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