Following nine long months of transfers, confident interviews, and Louis Vuitton bags, Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffs kicked off their season against none other than the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs, the 22-23 National Championship runner-ups.
One of many College Football games on September 2nd, the outcome of this game would typically blend into the sea of statistics. However, these are no ordinary circumstances; this was no ordinary game, and Colorado is no ordinary team.
Reading the box score may provide some insight, but to truly grasp the significance of this game for Deion, Shedeur, Travis Hunter, and most importantly, Buffs fans, we’ll have to rewind the clock.
On September 21, 2020, ex-NFL and MLB star Deion Sanders became the head coach of Jackson State University, officially taking the reigns of the football team. In doing so, he not only elevated the stature of JSU Football (leading the team to a 27-5 record during the entirety of his coaching tenure) but also lent a spotlight to HBCU sports around the country. During his time with Jackson State, he led them to their first SWAC championship and achieved an undefeated regular season for the first time since 1984. Perhaps most shockingly, he successfully recruited Travis Hunter, a five-star wide receiver with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Florida State, and just about every other SEC school there is.
In a move that sent shockwaves throughout the world of College Football, Deion Sanders penned his name on the dotted lines of a five-year, $29.5 million deal with Colorado—a staggering $28.1 million leap from his Jackson State salary. At the time of the announcement, Deion was met with an overwhelming amount of criticism from two distinct parties: Power 5 football fans who doubted his ability to perform at a more competitive level, and those who believed Sanders abandoned his HBCU in exchange for a PWI. Regardless of the narrative Deion remained focused on the goal and trusted his players.
While Deion’s arrival undoubtedly shined a light on Colorado football, the true story are the players (86 of whom were new) who stepped up to bring home the win.
All eyes are were on Shedeur Sanders during Saturday’s season opener, a game that marked a crucible of expectations, doubts, and dreams Regardless of the chatter, Shedeur showed major college football what he can do, finishing 34/47 for 510 yards, becoming the first Colorado QB to pass the 500-yard mark. Travis Hunter seized his opportunities whenever given the chance, masterfully playing both sides of the ball (129 snaps total), and becoming the first Division I player in the past 20 seasons to have both 100 receiving yards and an interception in the same game.
Freshman running back Dylan Edwards burst onto the CFB scene with an impressive 177 yards and four total touchdowns. It was a remarkable beginning to a promising player.
Delivered by Cullen Avent
