Deion Sanders’ Colorado tenure begins with a 45-42 upset win over No. 17 TCU

The Deion Sanders period at Colorado began with a large upset.

The Buffaloes obtained a late fourth-down cease with 55 seconds left to hold on for a 45-42 win over No. 17 TCU in Fort Price on Saturday. QB Shedeur Sanders — the son of the Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer and head coach — set the Colorado single-game report for passing yards whereas two-way star Travis Hunter had 11 catches as a large receiver and an interception as a defensive again.

“I’m so grateful proper now … man I’m loving these youngsters,” Deion Sanders instructed Fox after the sport. “Nice pleasure for me to have this chance.”

Shedeur grew to become the primary participant in Colorado historical past to throw for over 500 yards as he was 38-of-47 passing for 510 yards and threw 4 TDs. Lots of these yards got here after the catch, however that doesn’t low cost how nicely he threw the ball in his first sport with the Buffaloes.

Hunter performed over 100 snaps in his first sport as a Colorado participant. He began at each receiver and defensive again and led the workforce with 11 catches for 119 yards whereas Jimmy Horn Jr. had 11 catches for 117 yards.

Hunter’s interception was additionally large. He made an awesome learn on a throw from TCU’s Chandler Morris within the purple zone as he made a diving catch. Whereas Colorado went three-and-out and gave the ball proper again to TCU after Hunter’s decide, it was the second time Morris had thrown an interception close to the purpose line.

Each Hunter and Shedeur Sanders got here with Deion Sanders when the previous NFL defensive again was employed by Colorado from Jackson State. One of many first gamers to decide to Colorado after it employed Sanders was four-star working again Dylan Edwards. And he had a large sport too. Edwards had 5 catches for 135 yards and three touchdowns whereas additionally speeding six instances for twenty-four yards and a TD.

Edwards had been dedicated to Notre Dame earlier than he signed with Colorado in December. A Kansas native, Edwards was the No. 1 participant within the state and the No. 3 all-purpose again within the class of 2023, in response to Rivals.

Edwards’ fourth TD turned out to be the game-winner. He caught a go within the flat from Sanders on fourth down and ran down the sideline for a 46-yard TD with 4:25 to go. That TD was the eighth of the second half as every workforce scored 14 factors within the third and fourth quarters.

Colorado has top-end expertise

There was no denying that Colorado added expertise over the offseason. Sanders was employed to juice a moribund program (1-11 final yr), and he did simply that as dozens of latest gamers arrived by way of the switch portal and others weren’t retained.

However depth was — and should still be — a serious query getting into the season. Colorado’s high expertise carried the day in opposition to the Horned Frogs, however it could be not possible to ask Hunter — the No. 1 prospect within the class of 2022 — to play over 100 snaps a sport on offense and protection. That, nonetheless, is an issue to fret about later within the season. This was a Colorado workforce that entered Saturday as a three-touchdown underdog in opposition to a workforce that made the nationwide title sport a yr in the past.

TCU has work to do

The Horned Frogs had been clearly caught off-guard instantly by Colorado’s new up-tempo offense underneath former Kent State coach Sean Lewis. And whereas the offensive line created large holes for the working sport in opposition to Colorado’s undersized defensive entrance, Morris’ two interceptions had been extraordinarily pricey. As was a missed area purpose by Griffin Kell.

Morris’ first interception got here in the long run zone as Colorado led 7-0 within the first quarter. He merely didn’t see security Trevor Woods lurking as he tried to fireside a TD go over the center.

Morris, who served as Max Duggan’s backup a season in the past, completed the sport 24-of-42 passing for 279 yards and two passing TDs to go together with the 2 interceptions. He additionally rushed for a TD within the second half.

Emani Bailey rushed for 165 yards on 14 carries due to an distinctive 74-yard run as TCU averaged over seven yards a carry. However the protection was persistently gashed by Colorado’s passing sport and the Horned Frogs dedicated 10 penalties.

TCU entered the season needing to switch gamers like Duggan, RB Kendre Miller, WR Quentin Johnston, LB Dee Winters and DE Dylan Horton. That’s why the Horned Frogs started the season exterior the highest 15. And it’s clear that after the primary sport the TCU protection nonetheless has loads of room for enchancment whereas the offense doesn’t have a transparent go-to receiver but.