After a 3-0 start to the season that completely took over the conversation around the sport, Colorado Buffaloes Deion Sanders has now lost two games in a row after losing to No. 8 USC 48-41 in Week 5.
For the second week in a row, the Buffaloes defense failed to put up a fight in the first half, going into halftime down 34-14 after facing a 35-0 deficit on face Oregon in Week 4.
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders walks into the locker room after players warm up before a game against Southern California Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
That’s the services of Travis Hunter and Shiloh Sandersreigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams threw all over the Buffaloes, completing 30 of 40 passes for 403 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception.
DEION SANDERS, COLORADO ENTERS HALF TIME DOWN BIG FOR SECOND WEEK IN A ROW
“Caleb is playing at a high level. We had a couple of turnovers at the end that we don’t usually do,” USC head coach Lincoln Riley said postgame. “The guy continues to play for this team. So, proud of his progress and the rest of the team has to keep going.”
The USC offense he scored on five of his seven possessions in the first half, while Colorado missed a field goal and quarterback Shedeur Sanders threw an interception that turned USC into points.
The Buffs came out of halftime with renewed energy, cutting the lead to just seven with less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter. Colorado Defense went much better after the half, but Colorado failed to get the onside kick after the late score, allowing USC to run out the clock.
Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams looks to pass as Colorado defensive lineman Bishop Thomas follows during the first half of a game Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. . (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
“I played a good first half. He didn’t play very well in the second half,” Riley said. “The offense was stopped, we gave up big plays defensively where we just didn’t tackle.
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“Give credit to Colorado. They fought back. The crowd in here was great today.”
Entering the game, Colorado’s defense was allowing the most points and yards per game in the Pac-12. USC finished the day with 498 yards of total offense.
Sanders threw for 371 yards and four scores as Colorado’s offense gained 564 yards on the day.
The hype train in Colorado was moving at lightning speed after Sanders started the year 3-0 following the Buffaloes 1-11 campaign in 2022.
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, left, talks with his son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, before a game against Southern California Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Against State of Colorado in Week 3, both FOX’s “Big Noon Kickoff” and ESPN’s “College Gameday” were on the Boulder campus for Colorado’s overtime victory.
Sanders was the true flavor of college football thanks to his incredible roster flip – 68 new scholarship players on the roster – it was on full display.
But the Pac-12 is full, and two of the conference’s top teams showed that Sanders’ turnaround in Boulder will take more than just a year.
The Buffaloes go to Tempe to advance Arizona State in Week 6.
