Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders defended his son Shedeur and suggested there were big things ahead for the program following its 48-41 loss to No. 8 USC Saturday.
Colorado had to dig deep to really make it a game in Boulder.
USC and Caleb Williams controlled the scoring for most of the game.
The Buffaloes managed to outscore USC 27-14 in the second half, but a late touchdown pass from Shedeur Sanders to Jimmy Horn Jr. to cut the deficit to seven was too little too late.
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Sanders finished 30-for-45 for 371 yards, four touchdown passes and an interception. He also ran for 50 yards and a touchdown.
His father pushed back on any notion of nepotism following the performance.
"I’m his dad. I have an expectation for him, and I’ve been seeing this. He’s been built and reared for this his whole life. I mean, you didn’t believe, but I believe," Coach Prime said. "Everybody from the previous locations that we’ve played, I mean, the kid has always won, always been dominant.
"He’s always been smart and intelligent and concise. He’s always been a competitor. He’s always lifted the level of competition, and he’s always given us a chance to succeed in every level.
DEION SANDERS IS 'SO BIG FOR THE SPORT, SO BIG FOR THE GAME,' EX-COLLEGE FOOTBALL STAR SAYS
"I could go on and on, but I don’t want to sound like the dad. But I’m really just speaking to you as the coach. I try my best not to speak to you as a father, but the kid can flat out play. I know a lot of people doubted him and said I just thrusted him into the starting position. What do they call it – nepotism or whatever? All of you should just look in the mirror and slap whatever you see."
Even as Colorado fell to 3-2 with the loss, Sanders had high hopes for the future of the program.
"If you can’t see what’s coming with CU football, you’ve lost your mind. You’re just a flat-out hater if you can’t see what’s going on and what’s going to transpire over the next several months. Something’s wrong with you."
Colorado hits the road for another Pac-12 matchup next weekend against Arizona State.
