After allowing star quarterback Shedeur Sanders to be sacked six times in last week’s loss the Nebraska, Colorado’s offensive line found itself in the spotlight heading into the Buffaloes’ rivalry game against Colorado State on Saturday.
And the unit managed to bounce back — and then some — allowing Sanders to only be sacked once in what was ultimately a 28-9 Colorado victory in the annual rivalry game.
The protection provided by the Buffaloes’ offensive line proved crucial, allowing Sanders — the son of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders — to complete 36 of his 49 pass attempts for 310 yards and four touchdowns. After the game, Sanders and star wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter were joined in their postgame press conference by all five of the Buffaloes’ starting offensive linemen, with the team’s quarterback speaking glowingly about the unit.
“It was great. It was the change in everything,” Sanders said. “We got together and understood, you know, we’ve gotta do it. So that’s when all the family and all the real friendship — we got together when everybody tried to push everyone against each other, flip words, do everything like that. And together we all stayed as a family and we all stayed as one. That’s just a good example of knowing the media, regardless of what they try to paint or anything, you can pit us against each other. We’re family.”
Sanders’ statement came just days after he made comments that many perceived as critical of Colorado’s offensive line following last week’s loss to the Cornhuskers. With the win on Saturday, the Buffaloes moved to 2-1 on the season heading into next week’s matchup against Baylor.
