Sanders breaks school's passing yards record in first FBS start as Buffaloes outscore Horned Frogs 45-42
FORT WORTH, TX. (9-2-2023) - Week one matches are mainly just the bigger teams facing what fans refer to as cupcakes. However, the highly anticipated opener between TCU and Colorado delivered one of the best week one matchups in FBS history.
The hiring of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders as head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes sparked a lot of heat. He previously coached at Jacksonville State in the FCS from 2020 to 2022. Many fans, analysts and sportscasters questioned how he could adapt to facing deeper rosters and intense action.
Sanders kept his team in front, recording a 17-14 lead at the half, while the Horned Frogs took 7/56 in penalties. However, the second half got more intense with not one but five lead changes. (four in the 4th quarter). This game was fast moving and the Buffaloes were able to keep up and answer for every score TCU had for them.
One of the reasons Colorado stayed in the game was the efforts of primetime's son Shedur Sanders at quarterback. He played quarterback under his father for the Tigers and like his father, he had the pressure of how he would adapt to the next level.
Sanders showed how fast he was with his decision-making and ball movement. He was able to fool defenders and get the ball to his second or third reed while staying inside the pocket. This was apparent in the crucial 4th and 2 that led to the game-winning, 46-yard touchdown pass to running back Dylan Edwards.
This game showed that both Deion and Shedur have the ability to keep their teams in the game, which is something that the Buffaloes couldn't do last season, as they averaged 15.4 ppg.
Colorado still had some issues with their defense, which allowed 6.8 yards per play and had zero tackles for a loss. The offensive line looked most like the team's week spot, forcing Sanders to elude defenders and get rid of the ball faster.
Nonetheless, the Buffaloes got the stops they needed most, tacking down TCU tight end Jared Wiley on the final fourth-and-9 to win the game.
Colorado still has some questions, but beating a top 20 ranked team for the first time since 2009 shows they are not a team to be taken lightly.
The Buffaloes next face Nebraska in their home opener on Sept. 9 as 1.5 favorites, according to FanDuel