Deion Sanders and the Colorado football team experienced a moment of relief after narrowly escaping a close game against North Dakota State, a well-known FCS team, on Thursday night, marking their season opener with a victory. Shedeur Sanders threw for 445 yards and four touchdowns, while Travis Hunter recorded seven receptions for 132 yards and three touchdowns, both showcasing potential NFL talent. However, the team still has several areas to address before their upcoming rivalry match against Nebraska.
Here are some key takeaways from Colorado’s first win of the 2024 college football season:
The offensive line was thought to be improved
While there’s hope for enhancement, it is somewhat of an overstatement. Last year, Shedeur Sanders was the most sacked quarterback in college football with 52 sacks, but on Thursday night, he was only sacked once. Nonetheless, he faced pressure frequently throughout the game. On a notable play, a 69-yard touchdown to Jimmy Horn Jr., he was hit as he threw. Colorado had six players in protection against five rushers from NDSU, which ideally should have provided a clean pocket.
Despite allowing only one sack, the offensive line had its struggles, with players like right tackle Tyler Brown allowing three pressures. Freshman Jordan Seaton, however, performed well, allowing only two pressures in his debut.
“I mean the guy got sacked one time and dropped back. What was it 34 times? I’m good with that,” Deion Sanders remarked after the game.
The running game mirrored last year’s struggles
This assessment is accurate. Colorado’s running game appeared stagnant, reminiscent of last season’s performance, finishing with just 59 yards on 23 attempts, averaging 2.6 yards per carry. Charlie Offerdahl and Dallan Hayden, the starting running backs, struggled to gain significant yardage.
Deion Sanders acknowledged the need for better utilization of the team’s running backs, commenting on their abilities and hinting at the potential contribution of a third running back, Micah Welch.
The decision to hire defensive coordinator Robert Livingston was questioned
This claim is unfounded. Despite an initially poor performance by the defense in the first half, allowing 242 yards and two touchdowns to NDSU, the unit improved significantly after halftime. Following adjustments made by Livingston, Colorado’s defense limited NDSU to six points in the second half.
Deion Sanders praised Livingston’s communication skills and ability to make necessary adjustments at halftime.
Concerns about Deion Sanders’ game management surfaced
This criticism holds merit. Colorado’s victory became more stressful than anticipated. After NDSU reduced the score to 31-26 with two minutes remaining, the Buffs opted for several passing plays that led to a punt, granting NDSU a chance to respond. This late-game clock management has been a recurring issue.
Deion Sanders expressed the importance of securing first downs during critical moments.
Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter are Heisman Trophy contenders
This statement is legitimate. Colorado possesses both standout offensive and defensive players in Hunter, who excelled on both sides of the ball, and Shedeur, who demonstrated considerable skill and composure as a quarterback. If the team can achieve eight or nine wins this season, both players may find themselves in the conversation for the Heisman Trophy.
“They may start to believe me when I start talking about those two going in the top five picks right?” Deion Sanders mentioned regarding the bond between Sanders and Hunter.