Sanders Takes Blame for Colorado's Five-Game Skid Before Kansas State

Colorado coach Deion Sanders asked for the blame Tuesday as his team's record slid to 2-5 overall and 0-4 in Big 12 play. Speaking at his weekly news conference, Sanders said the team's five-game losing streak rests on his shoulders. He said the same about the second-half collapse in Saturday's 57-24 loss at Oklahoma State and about the play of his cornerbacks. When a reporter asked how his coordinators were handling the losing, Sanders redirected the question. "Please give me all the responsibility, please," Sanders said. "I think our coordinators are wonderful." He said the staff isn't happy with where the team stands, "but it's not on them. That's me."

Colorado led Oklahoma State 24-23 at halftime before Isaac Wilson fumbled on the first play of the third quarter. Sanders called the turnover a "tremendous blow" coming after the adjustments the staff had made at the break, and he described the mood that followed as a "here-we-go-again type of thing." He said he wants the response his team showed after the Cowboys scored on their third play from scrimmage, when the instruction was to go right back down the field. "We need to have more of that mentality, and that's on us. That's on me," Sanders said. He met with players on Sunday and Monday, challenging some and applauding others. Some defensive backs played well, he said, but the corners "got to step up, got to do better, and we've got to prepare them better."

Colorado lost its final six games in 2023 and its last five last season. Asked how he is handling this skid differently, Sanders said the feeling has not changed. "Pain is pain. I don't think it's a different type of pain," he said. He said he believes many of his players are winners, but they "just haven't gotten it together to do what the expectation is to do, which is not good." He said the losing "hurts tremendously," then set it beside what he has lived through off the field. "I've been through amputation, man. I've been through cancer, and I can't weigh that with that," Sanders said of football and life. He called Boulder a "beautiful place" whose fans want a winner. "We just haven't been able to get it together," he said, before catching himself. "That's not we. I haven't been able to get it together."

Colorado has committed 66 penalties through seven games, the most in the Big 12. Sanders said that is the one area where his team has been steady. "That's the only thing we're consistent in is getting penalties, and that doesn't make sense to me," he said. Special teams have been more consistent in recent weeks, he said, but the Buffaloes have yet to put their offense, defense and special teams together "in one wonderful moment called the kickoff." He called that "baffling to me."

Sanders said Damian Henderson II has received carries as the staff tries to find a rhythm. He said Richard Young, who hasn't had a carry since the Texas Tech game Oct. 3, will see "a lot more this week." "I promise you that," Sanders added. He called JaQuail Smith "explosive" and said who plays can depend on pass protection and the opponent. Sanders confirmed that Micah Welch will not play this weekend because of an injury. He also said whether Julian Lewis gets another chance at quarterback is up to Lewis.

What keeps him optimistic, Sanders said, is seeing players "still fighting, still loving the game, still speaking life into their team." He said he thrives in moments like this one. Colorado hosts Kansas State at noon Saturday on TNT.