Deion Sanders Restricts Player Access After Heavy Loss to Arizona
Following a disheartening defeat, head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes barred player interviews after a significant 52-17 loss to the Arizona Wildcats on November 4, 2023. This marks the first instance in Sanders’ three-year tenure at Colorado where he opted not to allow his players to speak to the media post-game. The decision stemmed from Sanders’ belief that he alone was responsible for the team’s struggles, which included their second consecutive blowout loss.
The Buffaloes (3-6, 1-5) fell behind 38-7 by halftime, plagued by a total of 14 penalties and five turnovers throughout the game. In an effort to shield his players from scrutiny, Sanders remarked, “Don’t attack the coordinators. Come at me. Don’t attack the players. Come at me.” His frustration was palpable as he struggled to provide explanations for the team’s poor performance, despite having observed promising practices leading up to the game.
Sanders faced questions about whether the team had mentally disengaged, to which he responded assertively, “I know a quitter when I see one. I haven’t seen that.” Despite the disappointing results, he expressed confidence in his ability to lead the Buffaloes back to success, stating emphatically, “I don’t doubt me. Let’s get that straight: I. Don’t. Doubt. Me.”
The quarterback situation for Colorado added to the team’s woes. Kaidon Salter was benched late in the first half for Ryan Staub, who subsequently struggled, throwing two interceptions in the third quarter. Freshman Ju-Ju Lewis stepped in and managed to throw a 59-yard touchdown pass to Omarion Miller, marking the first touchdown of his career. Notably, Lewis’ pass exceeded the total passing yards achieved by Salter, who completed 11 of 15 passes for just 49 yards before his exit.
The Buffaloes’ performance was further hampered by critical penalties that erased a potential 75-yard touchdown reception and an interception. This loss comes on the heels of a 53-7 defeat against Utah the previous week, highlighting a troubling trend. Over the span of their last two games, Colorado has been outscored 81-7 in the first half, raising concerns about the team’s preparedness and execution.
As the season progresses, the Buffaloes will need to address these issues swiftly. The focus will be on whether Sanders can rally his team to improve in the remaining games and restore confidence among players and fans alike. The upcoming weeks will be crucial for the Buffaloes as they strive to turn their season around.
