Deion Sanders has confidence in Colorado's offensive staff - ESPN
Three days after criticizing the play of his offensive line in a 28-10 loss to Nebraska, Colorado coach Deion Sanders reaffirmed his belief the unit will improve.
«I feel like we got the right guys,» Sanders said. «You may see us shake something up a little bit. Phil Loadholt is a wonderful offensive line coach. (Offensive coordinator) Pat (Shurmur) does a tremendous job in calling pays as he did in the first game (against North Dakota State).»
«So, you just can't take a snapshot of one game and not understand the first game. What we have over 500 yards of offense? I ain't hear all these questions, but I understand it comes with the territory.»
The Buffaloes went for 504 yards of total offense against their FCS opponent in the opener, with 445 yards through the air. However, they managed just 2.6 yards per carry and finished the game with 59 yards rushing.
Against Nebraska on Saturday, Colorado was even worse rushing the ball — finishing with 16 rushing yards on 0.7 yards per carry — and was also unable to protect quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who was sacked five times. Sanders threw for 244 yards and a touchdown, but also threw a crucial pick-six early in the game. The Buffs' inability to run the ball or protect Sanders was reminiscent of last year's offense, which ranked last in FBS in yards per carry (2.31) and allowed 56 sacks, the most among Power 5 teams.
«Protections were a problem,» Deion Sanders said after the game. «You know, I'm trying to be polite and say it, because you know I can say the same thing you're thinking, but if I say it, you'd say I'm throwing my guys up under the bus. I'm not doing that whatsoever. Protections were a problem. We got to figure out a way to prevent that and do a better job with