What did Colorado’s Deion Sanders say after the upset win over UCF?

Colorado Buffaloes secured monumental 48-21 victoryAfter an unexpected and decisive win as a 14.5-point underdog, he improved his season record to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in Big 12 play. Their 27-point win marked the program’s largest margin of victory entering the game as at least a 14-point underdog and broke the previous record set in 1974, when they beat Oklahoma State by 13 points. The win also stands as the largest margin of victory in a conference road game since the Buffaloes beat Oklahoma State 34-0 in 2005, marking a significant accomplishment for Coach Deion Sanders and his team.

Coach Sanders, also known as Coach Prime, had praise for UCF head coach Gus Malzahn after the game. “I have great respect for Coach Malzahn,” Sanders said. “He keeps me going and inspires me tremendously with what he brings to college football.” The mutual respect between the coaches underscored the importance of this game, especially for Sanders, who had previously taken his son, Shedeur Sanders, to one of Malzahn’s camps while recruiting him.

On the field, the Buffaloes implemented a balanced and effective offensive strategy, amassing 418 total yards, 128 of which were on the ground. The return of Ohio State transfer Dallan Hayden was crucial as he had a rushing touchdown and added consistency to Colorado’s backfield. Micah Welch also found the end zone, complementing the Buffs’ aerial attack and providing enough variety to keep UCF’s defense on the back foot. It was difficult for UCF to adjust to the balance of its offensive unit, which allowed Colorado to control the game.

Colorado’s defense played an equally important role, especially against UCF’s rushing attack, which was one of the best in the country and led the game. The Knights were held to just 177 rushing yards, significantly below their season average. UCF quarterback KJ Jefferson struggled to deal with Colorado’s aggressive defense, which sacked him five times and forced him into many difficult situations. The Buffaloes’ defensive line dominated the line of scrimmage, and the defense as a whole limited Jefferson’s effectiveness as both a runner and passer, disrupting UCF’s offensive rhythm throughout the game.

Coach Prime was thrilled with the team’s rapid performance and called it an important element of their game plan. Sanders emphasized the importance of a balanced attack, saying of his rushing statistics, “God, I’ll take that.” Sanders believed his team could achieve such balance and was proud of their best efforts under his leadership.

Despite the team’s success, Sanders admitted that pre-game practices were not ideal. “It wasn’t a problem. It wasn’t great,” he said, explaining that the team had to adjust to the weather conditions and prepare for Hurricane Helene, which was expected in Florida. Arriving at state early helped the team focus and regroup, allowing for solid transitions at the hotel, ultimately contributing to their victory.

A key part of Colorado’s defensive game plan was to make UCF one-dimensional and force them to rely more on their passing game than they would prefer. This strategy worked, as Colorado’s offense kept up with UCF’s scoring while limiting their ability to run the ball effectively. His defensive game plan combined with a solid offensive performance pushed UCF out of their comfort zone and forced them to throw the ball more than usual.

One of the standout players of the game was Travis Hunter, who shined on both sides of the ball. Hunter caught nine passes for 89 yards and a rushing touchdown; On defense, he recorded two tackles, a pass breakup and an interception. This performance marked the second game of Hunter’s career; He scored a goal and recorded an interception in this match; the first was against Colorado State earlier in the season. His versatility was invaluable to Colorado’s success, and Coach Prime expressed his admiration for Hunter’s work ethic.

CU quarterback Shedeur Sanders also had a strong game; He completed 28 of 35 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns. He added 28 rushing yards, contributing to Colorado’s balanced offensive attack. Wide receiver LaJohntay Wester extended his game streak to four with three catches for 34 yards and his fifth touchdown of the season.

The Buffaloes’ defense was relentless, holding UCF, the nation’s top rushing team, to well below its season average of 375.7 rushing yards. Colorado recorded five sacks and 13 tackles for loss, with freshman Taje McCoy recording the first two sacks of his career. Moreover, Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig’s 95-yard fumble and touchdown It’s tied for the second-longest in Colorado history.

The win was especially sweet for Florida native Coach Prime, who was excited to return to his hometown and see old friends while leading his team to victory. He also pointed out the contributions of many players from Florida to the squad, who played a key role in the victory.

Overall, this victory was a statement for Colorado and Deion Sanders as the team continues to show that they are a force to be reckoned with in the Big 12.