deion Sanders Vows Changes After Colorado’s Fourth Straight Loss to Arizona State
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders has pledged significant changes to his program following a decisive 42-17 defeat at the hands of Arizona State, marking the team’s fourth consecutive loss in Big 12 play and the third by a significant margin. Despite a 16-20 overall record at Colorado, Sanders remained resolute about his future wiht the team, though he declined to detail specific adjustments planned for 2026.
“It’s not one thing, because if I say one thing you guys are going to attack the other things that I didn’t say and I’m not going to give you that,” Sanders explained.”I’m gonna say it’s multiple things that will need to change, and it will. As a matter of fact, it’s already in progress. We could throw stones at everybody. I always say you start with me.”
A pivotal moment in the game occurred late in the fourth quarter when Sanders substituted redshirt sophomore Ronald Coleman into the backfield. Coleman, who had never previously registered a carry in a college game and was listed as a wide receiver on the roster, fumbled after gaining 14 yards on his only touch. Arizona State’s Raleek Brown capitalized immediately, racing 88 yards for a touchdown on the very next play.
“Two plays to me changed the whole course of the game – a fumble and an explosion right after the fumble,” Sanders stated.”The gentleman who fumbled, that’s on me.I put him in the game to try to have a change of pace. I figured he was gonna hit it, and he hit it. And he fumbled. It is what it is.”
Sanders had hoped Coleman, described as “very explosive,” would provide a spark, but the gamble backfired. “He was free,nobody touched him and he hit it,” Sanders said. “He did what we thought he’d do.”
Arizona State dominated the game offensively,with Raleek Brown rushing for 255 yards and the Sun Devils amassing 580 total yards despite playing without starting quarterback Sam Leavitt. They overcame four turnovers to improve to 8-3 on the season under third-year head coach Kenny Dillingham.
The Buffaloes struggled to contain Arizona State’s rushing attack, allowing 355 yards on the ground. “The goal was to stop the running game because we figured they weren’t profound to pass and we gave up 355 yards rushing,” Sanders said.”four turnovers,three points off the turnovers. It’s tough to think we don’t have more in the tank to take advantage of those situations.”
Amidst the team’s struggles,Colorado athletic director Rick George issued a statement of support for Sanders and his expected return in 2026,stating,”The seat is not hot. We believe in what is ahead for this program.” George’s statement followed social media speculation regarding Sanders’ job security after he publicly asked fans for patience and vowed to turn the program around.
Sanders, addressing the concerns directly, asserted his resilience and commitment. “I want you to understand. if anybody is built for adversity, I am. If anybody is built to change, I am. If anybody’s built to overcome situations and trials and tribulations, I am,” he said. “You got the right man. I promise you, you do. And I’m going to prove that to you.Just give me an chance and give me a little more time and I’m going to prove that to you. I will.”
Despite the current challenges, Sanders remains confident in his ability to lead the Colorado football program to success, promising a period of significant change and betterment in the seasons to come.
– Deion Sanders is the first head coach in Colorado history to lose four consecutive conference games by a margin of 25 or more points.
