The start of a new era for the Colorado Buffaloes began with disappointment on the scoreboard but reassurance from one of their most famous alumni.
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, fresh off his own leap to the NFL, sent a public message of support for his father after Colorado fell 27-20 to Georgia Tech in Boulder.
“They’ll figure things out. They have a great head coach,” Shedeur wrote on social media, a nod of confidence toward Deion Sanders, who endured his first Week 1 defeat since taking over in college football three years ago.
The message may have been short, but its timing carried weight. Colorado fans were still processing a game that looked within reach for long stretches before slipping away in the final minutes.
While the Buffaloes forced three turnovers in the opening quarter and built an early 7-0 lead, Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King ultimately proved the difference, rushing for 156 yards and three touchdowns, including the decisive score with just over a minute to play.
Shedeur Sanders’ NFL career is only just beginning, but his words underscored how closely he remains tied to the program he left behind.
During the game, he also found time to praise kicker Alejandro Mata, who made two field goals and two extra points.
“Good kick mata,” he posted, showing he was tuned in as his former teammates fought on without him. Other recent Colorado standouts were also connected to the opener.
Carolina Panthers rookie Jimmy Horn Jr. and Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig were both in Boulder to support their old team, highlighting how much interest Deion Sanders‘ project continues to command among players who have already moved on.
Questions over Colorado’s execution
Despite the encouraging support from former stars, the Buffaloes were left frustrated by how they managed the final minutes. With two timeouts in hand, Colorado‘s last drive stalled at midfield, ending with a Hail Mary attempt that fell short.
“Really poor clock management. There’s really no other way to look at it,” ESPN analyst Dusty Dvoracek said on SportsCenter.
“Maybe even after the first play, you call a timeout. Definitely after the second play. You gotta call a timeout. Every second is so precious in that scenario.”
The loss underscored how much Colorado misses both Shedeur and Heisman winner Travis Hunter, who are now adjusting to life in the NFL.
In their absence, new quarterback Kaidon Salter threw for 159 yards and added a rushing touchdown but lacked the same rhythm and explosiveness that defined the offense in recent years.
Even amid the defeat, Deion Sanders found ways to use the spotlight for more than football. His sideline featured a portable restroom sponsored by Depend, the adult underwear brand, a direct acknowledgement of his health challenges after undergoing bladder removal surgery earlier this year.
“I truly DEPEND on Depend,” Sanders wrote in a social media post tied to the sponsorship. “Ain’t no shame in taking care of yourself. Ain’t no shame in health screenings. Ain’t no shame in needing added protection to stay in the game. That’s not weakness – that’s winning.”
For Sanders, who has spoken candidly about being diagnosed with bladder cancer and declared cured after surgery, the message was clear: strength lies in transparency, not in hiding vulnerability.
What’s next for the Buffaloes?
The Buffaloes‘ defeat was painful but not discouraging. They pushed Georgia Tech deep into the fourth quarter and had opportunities to seize control earlier.
Deion Sanders acknowledged afterward that the performance fell short of expectations, saying, “If we take advantage of the opportunities, I have a whole different mood up here right now.”
Colorado will look to rebound against Delaware in Week 2, and with several new faces on the roster, the process of building chemistry remains ongoing. As Deion put it bluntly: “We ain’t got time to jell. We’ve got to go right now.”
Shedeur’s message served as a reminder that while the roster may look very different from a season ago, belief in Colorado’s head coach remains strong. For fans, that reassurance may matter as much as the result on the field.
Because if there’s one thing Deion Sanders has proven since taking over the Buffaloes, it is that setbacks do not define him, or his team. And with his son watching closely from the NFL stage, the Colorado story is still far from finished.
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