Deion Sanders wants Colorado’s players to understand that Weber State is bringing more than an opportunity to upset the Buffaloes into Folsom Field.
The Wildcats are also bringing players Sanders might want in Boulder someday.
“I already told our recruiting department, ‘You better watch every guy on the field because if they’re kicking our guys’ butts, I want them,’” Sanders said during the Colorado Coaches Show.
It was an unusual warning ahead of Saturday’s first meeting between the two programs, but it reinforced Sanders’ message that Colorado cannot dismiss Weber State because it competes at the FCS level.
“It’s a team that’s not going to lie down,” Sanders said. “We’re going to have to fight. We’re going to have to be dominant, and we want to be dominant. We want to show dominance from start to finish.”
Weber State enters the matchup with a 1-1 record under first-year coach Eric Kjar. The Wildcats opened the season with a 30-29 victory at Northern Colorado before falling 47-42 at Southern Utah.
Despite that loss, Kjar was encouraged by how his players competed.
“I love the way our kids played,” Kjar said. “I thought they played hard and battled. I’m going to continue to emphasize that, but just play a little bit cleaner and execute our schemes on offense, defense and a little bit on special teams.”
Weber State has 80 new players, but its rebuilt offense has already demonstrated its scoring potential. Receiver Noah Kjar leads the FCS in receiving touchdowns through two games and ranks second in receiving yards.
The Wildcats may be without Devin Brown for another week after the former Ohio State and California quarterback suffered a dislocated finger in the season opener. His expected absence would leave Nate Dahle facing a nationally recognized Colorado program in one of college football’s most visible environments.
Kjar believes the young quarterback possesses the temperament to handle it.
“It’s a big challenge this week with Colorado, and that environment for him will be something new,” Kjar said. “I love how he prepares and how he takes the field. He kind of seems a little unflappable naturally, even though he’s young.”
Dahle and Noah Kjar helped Weber State score 42 points at Southern Utah. The Wildcats will now confront a Colorado defense that did not allow an offensive touchdown in its 14-13 victory over Georgia Tech.
“I thought they played great defense and made enough plays in the offensive game, running the ball really well and effectively, to where they were able to put themselves in a position to win on the road,” Kjar said. “That was a big win for them.”
Sanders also praised Kjar, who won multiple state championships at Corner Canyon High School before taking over the Weber State program.
“This guy can coach his butt off, man,” Sanders said. “It’s a team that can’t wait to get in here to challenge us in all areas.”
Colorado is expected to win its home opener. Sanders, however, does not want his players entering Folsom Field expecting Weber State to cooperate.
“The challenge and the opportunity are awesome and a little bit unique for an FCS school,” Kjar said. “But we’re excited about it.”
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