The Colorado Buffaloes are off to a shaky 2-2 start, and head coach Deion Sanders is making an emotional plea to the fan base: keep the faith in his young quarterback. Following a disappointing 23-13 loss to Baylor on Saturday, Coach Prime didn't hide his frustration, but he also made it clear that he's not ready to hit the panic button.
“We’re better than this. It seems as though we’re better than our opponents, but the score does not dictate that. And that’s the fascinating thing, we’ve got to find out why,” Sanders said after the defeat. The Buffaloes have struggled to find consistency, especially on offense, and Sanders knows the clock is ticking.
The quarterback situation has been a hot topic. Freshman Julian Lewis, a highly touted recruit, got the start but was benched after completing 11 of 16 passes for just 75 yards. In his place, Isaac Wilson—brother of NFL quarterback Zach Wilson—completed 12 of 25 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown. But Sanders is adamant that Lewis is the future.
“Don’t give up on Juju,” Sanders said, referring to Lewis by his nickname. “That kid, I think he plays with tremendous effort and tremendous heart. He’s not quitting and he’s not abandoning anybody.” The coach's plea comes as some fans are already questioning the team's direction, especially after a loss that felt more lopsided than the score indicated.
Sanders, known as Coach Prime, is also turning the mirror on himself. “I’ll take the responsibility,” he said. “It was a decision that I made because I was trying to get us going. That’s it. Just based on, let’s go. We got to get going. We got to score.” His willingness to shoulder the blame is a stark contrast to the fiery persona he often projects.
The Buffaloes have eight games left in the regular season, and Sanders is urging fans to stay patient. He's also hoping to avoid the kind of negativity that can seep into a program during a rough patch. With high expectations coming into the year, the 2-2 start has been a reality check, but Sanders remains confident in the team's potential.
This isn't the first time Sanders has had to rally the troops. Earlier this season, he faced criticism for player trash talk that preceded a blowout loss, and questions about Travis Hunter's slow start have also surfaced. But Sanders is determined to keep the focus on improvement, not excuses.
As the Buffaloes prepare for the next stretch of their schedule, Sanders is leaning on his leadership to steer the ship. “Let me digest this game,” he said postgame. “I’m a little upset right now, but I’m going to be kind because you guys are some of my favorites. Let me think that through on the plane.” It's a human moment from a coach who often seems larger than life.
For now, Colorado fans are left to decide whether to heed their coach's advice. With a talented roster and a demanding schedule, the Buffaloes still have time to turn things around. But as Sanders knows all too well, in college football, patience can be in short supply.
