We Comin’ - Left: Known by many names, Deion Sanders “AIN’T HARD 2 FIND.” Right: One of two Sanders’ sons on the team, Shilo Sanders, ran an interception 80 yards for a touchdown to open the game. PHOTOS BY DAVE GIBSON[/caption]

Do you believe in miracles? One occurred on September 2 in Fort Worth, Texas, when the 20 1/2-point underdog CU Buffaloes upset the #17 TCU Horned Frogs in a thriller, 45-42. The Horned Frogs played in last year’s National Championship game. The Buffaloes had the worst offense in college football and were last in the Pac-12 with a 1-11 record. It was the Buffs’ first win against a top-20 opponent in 21 years. The victory instantly catapulted CU to #22 in the AP poll.

The person behind the sudden turnaround that set the college football world on its ear is first-year CU Coach Deion Sanders. Known as “Neon Deion” at Florida State and “Prime Time” during his 14 years in the NFL as an 8-time All Pro and Hall of Fame cornerback, wide receiver, kickoff returner, and punt returner, he did it all with flair. His teams won two Super Bowls. As the best two-sport pro athlete in history, he also played nine years in Major League Baseball, being the only man to hit a home run and score a touchdown in the same week. Success followed him as an NFL analyst and coach at Jackson State where his team won the SWAC Football Championship the last two years. His coaches, players, and the media address him as Coach Prime; some informally know him as “Prime.”

Under Sanders’ direction, the Colorado Buffaloes underwent a facelift the likes of which had never been seen in NCAA Division I Football. 75% of the current roster was built through the transfer portal. Having assembled the best talent he could find, his new recruits were asked to “believe.” When a coach with Sanders’ enthusiasm and credentials asks you to “believe,” believe me, you believe. One of those believers is his son Shedeur Sanders at quarterback who he brought with him from Jackson State. In his spectacular Buffs debut against TCU, he threw for a CU record 510 yards, distributing the ball to four different receivers who had at least 100 yards apiece (another CU record).

On September 9, the Buffs played their first home game of the year at Folsom Field in Boulder. The rivalry between themselves and their opponent, Nebraska, is fierce with a storied history rooted in the days when they faced each other as members of the Big 8 and Big 12 Conferences. College football fans from across the country would be tuning in to see if this year’s CU team was for real. Over 800 media credential applications were received requesting access to the contest.

Shortly after being hired, Coach Sanders informed the press that, “We comin’.” He told his team in his pregame speech before the Nebraska game that, “We ain’t comin’ no more, We Here!” CU’s defense was solid, showing much improvement from the previous week when they surrendered 7.1 yards per carry against TCU. Both of the offenses were stymied until Nebraska turned the ball over leading to a CU field goal. An interception on Nebraska’s 30-yard line resulted in a touchdown pass from Sanders to Tar’Varish Dawson Jr. the very next play to put the Buffs up by ten. They added another field goal to end the first half ahead 13-0.

Down but not out, the Cornhuskers showed some life with a 57-yard touchdown run by their quarterback Jeff Sims early in the third quarter. A 10-play, 75-yard drive capped with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Weaver was CU’s response. A field goal by the Buffs made the score CU 23, Nebraska 7. Clicking on all cylinders, an 8-yard Dawson touchdown run and a Sanders’ 6-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter sealed the contest convincingly. Final score: CU 36, Nebraska 14.

Shedeur Sanders finished the game with 31 of 42 passing for 396 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, and 1 rushing touchdown. Xavier Weaver had 10 catches for 170 yards and 1 touchdown. On the merits of the victory, CU rose to #18 in the rankings.

The Rocky Mountain Showdown held in Boulder this year pitted the CU Buffs against CSU Rams on September 16. Since the series was renewed in 1983, CU has won 20 of the 32 meetings including the last five. Suffering a 50-24 loss to Washington State in their opener followed by a bye week, the Rams entered the contest as 23 1/2-point underdogs.

In-state college football rivalry games tend to be closer than oddsmakers predict; the statistic that is hardest to measure is heart. The CU Buffs would have to guard against looking past the CSU Rams. With the Rams expected to lose miserably in Boulder in an exhibition of Buffs’ offensive prowess, CSU had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Having two weeks to prepare for the contest, Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi received his first start at quarterback and Coach Jay Norvell would have his squad ready to play.

In a wild first quarter, CU safety Shilo Sanders intercepted a Fowler- Nicolosi pass and returned it 80 yards for a touchdown. Three plays later, CSU answered with a trick pass play from wide receiver Tory Horton to Dallin Holker for a 25-yard touchdown. Three plays after that, a fumbled pass reception was scooped up by CSU’s Ron Hardge III and returned 45 yards for a touchdown. CU’s Shedeur Sanders threw a bullet to Xavier Weaver to knot the score at 14 points apiece. The Rams took control of the second quarter with a 14-play 89-yard drive that culminated in a 15-yard touchdown pass to Louis Brown IV that ate up 7:29 of the clock and put them ahead 21-14 going into halftime.

Neither team scored in the third quarter. Two CU field goals and a CSU touchdown pass brought the score to CU 20, CSU 28. Pinned at their own 2-yard line with two minutes and three seconds remaining, the Buffaloes needed just a minute and a half to reach the end zone. The 45-yard touchdown pass to Jimmy Horn Jr. was followed up with a successful 2-point conversion pass to Michael Harrison. Score at the end of regulation: CU 28, CSU 28.

Overtime: Each of the teams passed for a touchdown and made the extra point kick. Second overtime: Quarterback Sanders threw his second touchdown of the day to Michael Harrison. A two-point conversion brought the score to 43-35. On fourth down and long, CSU was intercepted in the end zone by Trevor Woods to end the contest. Final score: CU 43, CSU 35.

As a moral victory for the CSU Rams in a game where they outgained their opponent 499 yards to 418, it showed their true potential and could inspire them for the rest of the season.

Perhaps receiving a wakeup call this week, if the Buffs can get past the #10 Oregon Ducks (20 1/2-point favorites) on September 23 in Oregon and #5 USC at Folsom Field on September 30, they will not only be “Here,” they’ll be “There.”