Coach Prime Leads Colorado Buffaloes to Stunning Upset Victory in Coaching Debut

Coach Prime coaching his first game at Colorado against TCU on Saturday September 2, 2023.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

By: Adonis Armstrong

Coach Prime and his newly restructured Colorado Buffaloes made a powerful statement. Despite being massive 21-point underdogs following a dismal 1-11 season, the Buffaloes shocked the defending national runner-up, staging a remarkable comeback for a 45-42 victory that left the Amon G. Carter Stadium crowd in disbelief. This win marked Colorado's first road victory since 2021 and broke a streak of 24 consecutive losses when considered underdogs by 21 points or more.

“We told you we comin’ we told you we comin’. You thought we were joking but guess what? We keep receipts.”

— Coach Prime via FOX

Following three impressive seasons at Jackson State, Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders embarked on his debut with Colorado, leading a team comprising 86 fresh faces, among them his sons Shedeur and Shilo, along with Hunter.

During the first half on Saturday, Shedeur Sanders (Colorado quarterback #2) evaded TCU linebacker Jamoi Hodge (#6) in a run. (AP Photo)

While the spotlight was initially on Deion Sanders, his son Shedeur Sanders, the versatile Travis Hunter, and other newcomers from Colorado grabbed the attention with their exceptional performances during Saturday's game. Shedeur Sanders, who served as the team's starting quarterback, established a new single-game passing record for the Buffaloes by amassing 510 yards, becoming the first-ever Colorado QB to surpass the 500-yard milestone. His remarkable performance included 38 completions out of 47 attempts, resulting in four touchdowns and zero interceptions, with four different Colorado players accumulating over 100 receiving yards.

Travis Hunter (12) catches a pass against TCU Saturday September 2, 2023. (Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports)

Hunter, ranked as ESPN's second-best recruit in the 2022 class, chose to join Deion Sanders at Jackson State over Florida State and demonstrated his talents on both offense and defense during his Colorado debut. He intercepted a pass by Chandler Morris on third-and-1 from the Colorado 4-yard line, showcasing his defensive skills. Additionally, Hunter contributed significantly to the offense with 11 receptions for 119 yards, narrowly missing additional catches with two impressive diving attempts.

Prior to Saturday, Colorado had endured a streak of 26 consecutive games with fewer than 400 yards, ranking as the longest active streak in the FBS, as per research by ESPN Stats & Information. Also, the Buffs had been among the three FBS teams that hadn't seen a 300-yard passer in the previous two seasons.

Coach Prime and his team have kicked off the season impressively. It'll be intriguing to witness their ongoing development throughout the season, particularly on the defensive end. If they can make some improvements, they could become a force in the PAC-12.

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