Deion Sanders had plenty to correct after Colorado’s season opener. He also had a victory to celebrate and a message for anyone wondering whether his confidence wavered.
“I never flinched, man,” Sanders said after the Buffaloes’ dramatic 14-13 win at Georgia Tech. “I told several people on the sideline, we’re going to make it very, very interesting, but we’re going to win this game.”
Colorado delivered on both counts.
Julian Lewis led a late touchdown drive, connecting with Charlie Williams for the go-ahead score, before Boo Carter blocked Georgia Tech’s potential winning field goal. A night filled with offensive frustration and special teams mistakes ended with the Buffaloes celebrating a road victory.
For Sanders, the finish reflected a belief that extended throughout the sideline.
“Well, nobody flinched, man,” he said.
His offensive linemen made sure he knew it, repeatedly grabbing their head coach and assuring him they had the game under control.
That confidence mattered most when Colorado needed its young quarterback to produce.
Sanders said he challenged Lewis at halftime in front of the entire team, reinforcing that the Buffaloes believed in him. Before the final touchdown drive, he also prepared Lewis for the circumstances ahead. Colorado would spend its remaining timeouts on defense, leaving the offense to work quickly and find opportunities to get out of bounds.
Offensive coordinator Brennan Marion and Lewis delivered when it mattered.
“He dialed the correct play and Juju made the throw,” Sanders said.
The finish did not erase an uneven offensive performance. Colorado threw for just 124 yards, and Sanders acknowledged that the passing game must improve. But he also pushed back against expecting a developing quarterback to have everything figured out immediately.
“The kid is still young, man. He’s still growing,” Sanders said.
What excited the head coach was how Lewis responded with the game hanging in the balance.
“He took advantage of the moment. He didn’t shrink in it.”
Colorado’s work at the line of scrimmage helped create that opportunity. The Buffaloes rushed for 183 yards while limiting Georgia Tech to 51 yards on 30 carries, numbers Sanders eagerly highlighted after the game.
“Come on, man. Thirty carries and 51 yards,” Coach Prime said. “I think they did a great job up front. I’m proud of them. Every last one of them.”
Lamont Lester Jr. supplied all three Colorado sacks. When a reporter informed Sanders of that total, the coach used the opportunity to defend evaluating players on their ability, regardless of the level they previously played.
Lester arrived from Monmouth, but Sanders saw a player whose production could translate.
“Football is football to me,” Sanders said.
The head coach also credited defensive coordinator Chris Marve for building relationships with his players and preparing them for the situations they encountered.
Both coordinators received game balls, along with new athletic director Fernando, Sanders said. Their composure helped set the tone.
“It was no panic on the headsets,” Sanders said. “It was no yelling and screaming. It was no panic.”
Special teams supplied the most obvious corrections. Colorado allowed a kickoff return touchdown and had a field goal blocked before Carter delivered the decisive response.
Sanders made clear that the winning play did not cancel out the earlier mistakes. His affection for Carter, however, was unmistakable.
“I want him to continue to be Boo,” Sanders said. “Just do your thing.”
There would be time to address penalties, missed opportunities and the passing game. First came a flight home with a victory.
Asked where the night ranked among his memorable experiences, Sanders offered a fitting closing thought.
“I don’t rank moments, man. I don’t rank moments. I try to turn them into monuments.”
Add us as a preferred source on Google