How long can Colorado's Shedeur Sanders take this many sacks? - ESPN

Late in the third quarter last Saturday, Colorado trailed Arizona State 17-14 with the offense near midfield facing second-and-3.

The previous Buffaloes possession had ended like so many others this season, with quarterback Shedeur Sanders getting sacked behind a patchwork offensive line. Three Sun Devils defenders converged on Sanders for the sack and he walked off the field with one of his shoulder pads exposed.

The next drive would be different, though, as Sanders sensed the rush and scrambled upfield for a first down. He ended the run by lowering his shoulder into ASU defensive back Jordan Clark. The message Sanders sent was twofold — both to his teammates and his opponent.

«That was really a scare tactic,» he said. «They know I'm going to lower my shoulder, so they're not going to think anything sweet with me.»

Colorado went on to win 27-24, improving to 4-2 thanks in large part to its quarterback. But the question moving forward becomes: How long can he endure the pummeling he takes in the pocket?

«If Colorado didn't have Shedeur, they wouldn't win a game, point blank, it's that simple,» a Power 5 coach told ESPN. «He's getting killed, though. I feel bad. He's such a tough kid.»

Sanders, the youngest son of Colorado coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, leads college football in passing yards (2,020). He set Colorado's single-game team passing record (510 yards) in his Buffaloes debut at TCU. He has helped Colorado overcome slow starts, particularly during an overtime win against Colorado State, and last week at Arizona State. He rallied his team from a 34-7 deficit to within a single score against USC.

Sanders also enters Friday night's home game against Stanford (10 p.m. ET, ESPN) leading the nation