Colorado produced 578 yards, scored seven touchdowns and defeated Weber State by 31 points Saturday. None of it was enough to satisfy Deion Sanders.
The Buffaloes improved to 2-0 with a 52-21 victory at Folsom Field, but Sanders entered his postgame press conference more interested in discussing Colorado’s mistakes than celebrating the final score.
“We didn’t capitalize on offense,” Sanders said. “We only scored 52 points. It should have been a lot more productivity and a lot more expectation of that productivity. We didn’t get done what we wanted to get done. There’s no way that we’re satisfied with the outcome. We’re not.”
Colorado’s offense delivered several impressive performances. Julian Lewis completed 17 of 23 passes for 366 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. He also scored on the ground.
Micah Welch became the first Colorado running back to record a 100-yard rushing game during the Coach Prime era, finishing with 106 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. Joseph Williams caught four passes for 123 yards and two scores, while DeAndre Moore Jr. added four receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown.
Colorado’s championship standard
Sanders acknowledged the individual performances, but he made it clear that Colorado’s ambitions extend far beyond beating an FCS opponent.
“We’re trying to win a championship,” Sanders said. “We’re not just trying to win a game. Maybe you’re comfortable with that. I’m not comfortable with that. I’m a bona fide winner. In my life, I’m a winner. I’ve always won, and I want to win.”
Colorado led 35-14 at halftime but managed only 17 points after the break. The Buffaloes also committed 13 penalties for 112 yards and had a long fourth-quarter touchdown run erased by a holding penalty.
Sanders described the mistakes as evidence of a team that has not yet learned how to handle success.
“It’s a lack of ‘I’ve been there before,’” Sanders said. “When you’ve been somewhere before, you know how to act. But if you haven’t been there before, you start going crazy. We’ve got to do a better job as coaches, starting with me, to really prepare these guys for the task.”
Coach Prime was especially frustrated by Colorado’s special-teams operation late in the game. The Buffaloes failed to get their field-goal unit onto the field in time for an attempted kick, and Sanders placed the responsibility on himself.
“I’m going to put the first one on me,” Sanders said. “We’ve got to get that off. We’ve got to kick the field goal with time there on the clock. That’s on me. I’ll take that one.”
Coach Prime wanted 70
Sanders was not alone in his frustration. Offensive coordinator Brennan Marion apparently set an even higher scoring goal before the game.
“Coach Marion told them if we didn’t score 70, he’s going to run them,” Sanders said. “That’s the kind of guys we have. They share my emotion right now.”
Colorado’s offense showed how explosive it can become under Lewis. Williams, Moore and Ernest Campbell each caught touchdown passes of at least 48 yards, while Welch averaged 9.6 yards per carry.
Lewis’ performance was especially encouraging after the Buffs' offense struggled for much of its season-opening victory over Georgia Tech. Sanders confirmed that the coaching staff made a concerted effort to get its young quarterback into a rhythm against Weber State.
When asked whether that was part of the game plan, Sanders responded, “Smart guy. Yes, it was. And we accomplished that goal...I expect my team to play dominant football, They don’t need to match me. I don’t play no more. I want them to match themselves. I want them to be the best that they could be...I’m ecstatic about the win,” Sanders said, “but my expectations far exceed our productivity of the day.”
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