It was an upset nobody saw coming: the Colorado Buffaloes, led by newly hired head coach Deion Sanders, pulled off a 45-42 victory over the #17 TCU Horned Frogs in Fort Worth on Saturday in a shootout for the history books.
The victory marks a seismic shift in the fortunes of the Colorado team, which went an abysmal 1-11 last season under former head coach Karl Dorrell, and stirred shockwaves across the college football world.
“We told you we coming,” Sanders said on the field after the game when asked for his message for the fans. “You thought we was joking. And guess what? We keep receipts.”
Deion Sanders, who has been informally referred to as “Coach Prime” during his time with the Colorado Buffaloes, has completely changed the culture of the team since arriving in December. He cut most of the players upon his arrival, then brought in more than 60 new players from across the nation, including two-way standout Travis Hunter, Deion’s son Sheduer Sanders, the nation’s top cornerback out of high school Cormani McClain, and running back Dylan Edwards, who is one of the fastest players in the country.
It cannot be overstated what Deion Sanders did today.
To turn the whole Colorado program around from what it was last season to today beating a team that played in the National Championship last season…
It’s one thing to talk about it.
It’s another to actually do it.Wow.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) September 2, 2023
In the game against TCU, the Buffaloes shocked the college football world by playing an explosive brand of football. Sheduer Sanders made an impressive debut, breaking the school record by throwing for more than 500 yards and four touchdowns. Hunter had a phenomenal game, picking off a pass near the end zone, had multiple pass breakups, and had more than 100 yards in receiving. Edwards, with four touchdowns, left TCU defenders in the dust with an impressive 75-yard screen pass TD.
Sanders and his team were praised by the likes of football legend JJ Watt, who said: “It cannot be overstated what Deion Sanders did today. To turn the whole Colorado program around from what it was last season to today beating a team that played in the National Championship last season… It’s one thing to talk about it. It’s another to actually do it. Wow.”
The Colorado victory is a sign of a seismic cultural shift in the program, and the stunning win against TCU proves the Buffaloes are here for the long haul under Sanders’ leadership. With Sanders apparently settling in, and the team showing its prowess on the field, the college football world will be watching the Buffaloes with keen interest this season.
Now everyone wants to believe.#GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/fuBzf57rj1
— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) September 2, 2023