UPDATE: In a shocking defeat, the Colorado Buffaloes were crushed by the Utah Utes, 53-7, last night at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Head coach Deion Sanders described the loss as “bad,” marking one of the most humiliating moments in his tenure.
Sanders didn’t hold back, stating, “This is probably the worst beating I’ve ever had, except for when my momma whooped me as a kid.” The Buffs suffered a staggering 422 rushing yards from Utah, while managing a mere 140 total yards themselves. “You ain’t winning (with that),” Sanders lamented, highlighting the team’s struggles across all phases of the game.
Utah’s dominance was evident as they achieved 587 total yards of offense, showcasing a relentless performance led by true freshman Byrd Ficklin, who accounted for three touchdowns and racked up 291 yards in total offense. This defeat stands as the Buffs’ worst since their pre-Sanders days in November 2022, when they fell to Washington, 54-7.
Sanders, now 16-17 in his three seasons as CU’s head coach (3-5, 1-4 Big 12 this year), pointed to a lack of leadership and identity within the team. “All three phases, we got our butts kicked,” he said. The Buffs had hoped to build on their recent victory over then-No. 22 Iowa State but appeared unprepared against the Utes.
Despite having two weeks to prepare, the Buffs looked lost on both offense and defense. “The way we practiced, the way we prepared, there’s no way that should have happened,” Sanders asserted. “There’s no way.” The Buffs even intensified their practices, allowing quarterbacks to face live tackles, yet nothing seemed to translate to the field.
Quarterback Kaidon Salter expressed disappointment, saying he felt confident after practice yet struggled with just 37 passing yards on 9-for-22 attempts, leading to five sacks. The team’s inability to execute was glaring, with Sanders admitting the blame starts with the coaching staff.
As they prepare to face Arizona next Saturday, the Buffs are in urgent need of a turnaround. “We gotta figure this out like now. Now,” Sanders emphasized, addressing the urgency of the situation. The Buffs must regroup quickly if they hope to avoid further humiliation.
Fans and analysts are left questioning what this means for the future of the program under Sanders. With glaring issues across the board, the Buffs are at a critical juncture in their season. Stay tuned for updates as Colorado seeks redemption in their upcoming matchup.
