Shedeur Sanders Apologized After Colorado's Win Over Utah
11/16/2024 06:51 PM
Despite putting up the highest point total on Utah by any team in nearly a decade, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders had a rocky first half in what was ultimately a 49-24 win. After the game, he felt compelled to apologize.
Five of the Buffaloes' first six drives resulted in either a punt or a turnover as Sanders threw an interception on his very first pass and later fumbled the ball deep in Utah territory. It's only thanks to the defense that the Buffaloes were able to limit the damage to two field goals rather than two touchdowns. Sanders was able to right the ship by halftime and in the fourth quarter Colorado blew the doors off of the Utes.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Sanders pledged to speak to the offense and apologize for his performance on Saturday. He said that it wasn't fair to put them in that type of situation and joked that he probably owes the defense a dinner for mitigating the damage he might have caused.
"I'm gonna have a talk with the whole offense," Sanders said. "Apologize for my performance out there at the very beginning because I can't put the team in that type of situation. I'm thankful for the defense. I may have to take them out to dinner this week for saving me and saving the team."
Shedeur Sanders holds himself accountable for the Colorado Buffaloes early offensive struggles vs. Utah
— NoSkoZone (@noskozone) November 16, 2024
"I'ma have a talk with the whole offense and apologize for my performance out there at the very beginning." pic.twitter.com/PWeEr3ExJd
Sanders stressed the importance of "complimentary football" and being a complete team that is solid in all three phases of the game. He recognized that it becomes significantly harder to have that when he makes the kinds of mistakes he did early on.
"When you have a good team overall, it's complimentary football," Sanders added. "You put all phases together: offense, defense, special teams, we can't be stopped. But it was just one phase that wasn't working early on, and that was the offense, but the rest of the phases were there... But we can't afford to start off like that."
As rough as the start was, the finish was still pretty good.
Sanders finished the game 30 of 41 for 340 yards and three touchdowns.
Colorado are now 8-2 on the season and right in the thick of the Big 12 title race.
They play Kansas on the road next week.
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