Deion Sanders evaluates the progress Colorado has made throughout the season
If nothing else, Colorado has been interesting to follow in 2023. However, while some may see a clear drop off from the Buffaloes over the last seven games, Deion Sanders sees that his team is still obviously making steps forward.
Sanders spoke about the progressions that Colorado has made during a press conference this week. He pointed to several aspects of their offense as areas where they’ve grown but noted that the next step now is for them to come up with more of the significant plays when the opportunities come their way.
“Progress is taking place – tremendously,” said Sanders. “The offensive line? You see that tighten up. I’ve seen the offense move the ball consistently and for quite a bit of time. We controlled the clock which was just phenomenal. It’s progress, it’s progress, it’s progress.”
“We just can’t seem to make that play when we have to make that play. That tackle, that block, that pass, that catch, that interception, that kick,” Sanders said. “It’s those types of things. But progress is certainly (being made).”
Take the offensive line for example. To be fair, that unit has not been Colorado’s best by any means. However, over their last two games, they’ve had their best two-game stretch when it comes to sacks allowed with seven.
In their latest outing against Arizona, the Buffaloes also posted their best offensive output in a month and their best in regulation since the end of September.
Again, record-wise, Colorado’s season has fallen apart with six losses in their last seven games. Even so, that doesn’t mean that development isn’t taking place in Boulder.
As Coach Prime put it as well, it’s even more important considering what all that the program expects to bring back from this budding team next season.
“The thing that I love the most about about this team? They do not give up,” said Sanders. “Ain’t no quit in ’em. Like, they fight to the end of every darn game. And I love that about them. I absolutely love that about this young team.”
“We have ‘darn near the whole team coming back,” Sanders said. “We got some good things brewing.”
Sanders gives impressions of Washington State
Colorado would need to run the table to secure bowl eligibility in their first season under Deion Sanders. That would have to start this Saturday with a win over Washington State on the road.
Like the Buffaloes, the Cougars have a 4-6 record with just one win versus conference competition this season. Cccording to Sanders, though, a record isn’t the only thing that they have in common as he spoke about the great opportunity his team has this weekend on the ‘Colorado Football Coaches Show’.
“Yeah, we have a great opportunity every darn week but we find a way to mess it up,” Sanders said getting a laugh out of the audience. “Washington State? They’re a lot like us. Statistically, aesthetically, things they excel in, things they don’t? They’re really similar to us. We’re just praying – I’m praying as a coach – I want to play one game of mistake-free football. What I mean by that is I want the offense to show up, the defense to show up, and the special teams to show up. Just one game together.”