Colorado Buffaloes football coach Deion Sanders was livid after his team looked uncompetitive during the majority of their 36-20 loss to the Houston Cougars on Friday night at TDECU Stadium.
Coach Prime started the postgame presser in disbelief at what he saw was a massively disappointing performance following a strong week of practice. Sanders took responsibility for how bad the team looked against their first taste of Big 12 competition this season.
“I’m lost for words. No one could have told me this was going to happen after this week’s preparation. Thank you, God, for not allowing me what I want to say. I take full responsibility,” Sanders said to reporters.
On the point of what he’d do at the quarterback position, in which Ryan Staub produced 204 yards passing, including two interceptions, against UH, Sanders wouldn’t commit to benching the Stevenson Ranch, California, native for Kaidon Salter or Julian Lewis.
“I have no idea. Right now, I’m not thinking about that. I’m thinking about what transpired,” Sanders said.
Staub made good decisions and was elusive in the pocket, but he rarely had time to go through his reads. Pass protection was lacking, and Simeon Price was the only running back who could create any traction on the ground. Price had 51 yards and a touchdown on five carries.
It was a bad day. But Staub took responsibility for the loss and vowed to keep the room together.
“Third down efficiency. We had two good drives in the first half. Lot of that falls on me. Put the defense out there too much,” Staub said.
“We were feeling good. 3-n-out, then they have the ball the entire third quarter. I can’t do that to the defense.
“We just gotta stay pushing. We gotta lean on each other and get back to work.
“At the end of the day, it always falls on the quarterback.”
Staub sounded like a leader, especially when he said the QB room’s chemistry went as the starter went.
We’ll see if he can handle the QB1 duties for much longer. Or if he’ll even have them.
At least Staub, like Sanders, took responsibility for coming up short.
