After the Colorado Buffaloes' narrow 31-28 loss to No. 18 Kansas State, head coach Deion Sanders expressed both frustration and optimism in his postgame comments. He highlighted the team's struggles to stop the run, defensive breakdowns, and key injuries, while praising their resilience and depth.
Sanders noted the defense's difficulty against Kansas State's rushing attack, which gained 224 yards, allowing Kansas State to control time of possession and limit Colorado's offensive opportunities. He also commended Kansas State's head coach, Chris Klieman, for effectively preparing his team.
Reflecting on defensive mistakes, Sanders criticized blown coverages that led to big plays. He acknowledged the impact of injuries to key players like Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr., emphasizing their importance to the team.
On offense, Sanders pointed out issues with execution in the running game and pass protection, stating that while the play-calling was solid, the players needed to perform better. He defended quarterback Shedeur Sanders, highlighting the challenges quarterbacks face during games.
Despite the loss, Sanders praised the team's fighting spirit, especially after overcoming a 10-point deficit. He recognized younger players stepping up in key moments and emphasized the importance of self-reflection and learning from mistakes as they move forward.