The Colorado Buffaloes have reached a major milestone in their second season under head coach Deion Sanders, clinching bowl eligibility with an impressive 34-23 home victory over the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday night. The win not only secures the Buffs’ first postseason berth since 2020 but also positions them as a potential contender in the Big 12 Conference.
Sophomore quarterback Shedeur Sanders, despite battling the flu during the week, put on a stellar performance, breaking a school record by completing his first 15 passes of the game. The young signal-caller finished the night with 323 yards through the air and accounted for three total touchdowns. His connection with two-way star Travis Hunter proved crucial, as the pair hooked up nine times for 153 yards and two scores.
Deion Sanders: Bowl Berth “Not All We’re After”
While acknowledging the significance of reaching bowl eligibility, Coach Sanders made it clear that this achievement is just one step in the Buffaloes’ journey. “It’s cute, it really is. Because we really want that, but that’s not all we’re after,” he said postgame. “That’s one of the hurdles that we’re jumping over and going over.”
“That’s a tremendous hurdle that we’re happy, we’re excited, but that’s not the end goal for us. That’s the beginning, but we are thankful and appreciative that the hard work is going noticed.”
Deion Sanders, Colorado Head Coach
Shedeur Sanders Overlooked in Heisman Race?
Despite his son’s impressive performance, Deion Sanders expressed frustration that Shedeur is “not even mentioned” in the Heisman Trophy conversation. The elder Sanders questioned the criteria for the prestigious award, asserting that his quarterback’s focus remains on winning games and improving his draft stock rather than individual accolades.
Coach Sanders also praised the versatility of Travis Hunter, whom he called “the best college football player in the country.” The true freshman’s impact on both sides of the ball has been a key factor in Colorado’s success this season.
Buffaloes Balanced Attack Proves Decisive
For the second consecutive week, Colorado’s offense showcased improved balance, with running back Isaiah Augustave leading the way on the ground. The Arkansas transfer spearheaded a 123-yard rushing effort that Deion Sanders described as a “conscious effort” to establish the run game.
The Buffaloes’ ability to move the ball effectively both through the air and on the ground allowed them to score on five of their first six possessions, building a commanding 31-14 lead over Cincinnati. Though the Bearcats mounted a fourth-quarter rally, Colorado’s defense held strong to secure the crucial victory.
Colorado’s Postseason Drought Ends, But Bigger Goals Remain
The win over Cincinnati marked Colorado’s sixth of the season, ensuring the program’s first winning record and bowl appearance since 2016. The Buffaloes last participated in postseason play at the end of the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, falling to Texas in the Alamo Bowl to finish 4-2.
“We don’t go into the season looking at the schedule like, ‘Oh, we’re only gonna win six games,'” Shedeur Sanders said. “That’s not what happened. The fact that we did it, it just trusts our process that we’re using. We’re not even hitting our peak. Nowhere close.”
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado Quarterback
Buffs Poised to Contend in Big 12
Colorado’s victory over Cincinnati, a fellow Big 12 contender, serves as a statement win for a program that was picked to finish 11th in the conference’s preseason media poll. The Buffaloes now sit at 6-2 overall and 4-1 in league play, positioning themselves for a potential run at the Big 12 championship.
While undefeated BYU and Iowa State currently lead the conference standings, Colorado’s remaining schedule features four opponents who all suffered losses in Week 9. With a bye week to prepare, the Buffaloes will look to continue their momentum against Texas Tech, Utah, Kansas, and Oklahoma State.
Deion Sanders’ Birthday Gift to “Miss Peggy”
Beyond the on-field implications, Colorado’s bowl-clinching win held special meaning for Peggy Coppom, the Buffaloes’ 99-year-old superfan who has been attending games since the 1940s. Coach Sanders had vowed to get “Miss Peggy” to a bowl game as a gift for her 100th birthday.
Though Coppom was unable to attend the Cincinnati game due to a bout with COVID-19, Sanders and athletic director Rick George made sure to share the good news with her over the phone. “We told her she’s going to a bowl,” Sanders said, adding that the team’s goal is now to ensure she attends “the best possible bowl that she could possibly go to.”
As the Colorado Buffaloes continue their remarkable turnaround under Deion Sanders, the significance of reaching bowl eligibility extends beyond the team’s on-field success. With a reinvigorated fanbase, a balanced offensive attack, and a head coach determined to exceed expectations, the Buffs appear poised to make noise in the Big 12 and beyond.
