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Paolo UggettiGAME
One year after less than 2,000 people attend annually Colorado Spring games, the Deion Sanders era began in earnest on Saturday when more than 45,000 people gathered at Folsom Field in Boulder for this year’s edition of the black gold game.
The near freezing temperatures and snowfall didn’t stop the sold-out crowds from flocking to catch a glimpse of the new-look Buffs led by their superstar head coach, who was hired in December away from home. Jackson State.
Sanders, wearing a cowboy hat and a T-shirt that says “I’m NOT HARD TO FIND” and a jacket with “PRIME” on it, is more of a show himself than the football game. actually takes place in the stadium. field. The head coach is more of a hype and a host than a caller — Sanders took to the mic during the broadcast, gave in-game interviews, conducted the band, and seemed in control the volume of the crowd just by raising your hand.
“I was surprised,” Sanders said after the game against the Colorado crowd. “It’s a moment you’ll never forget.”
The former Florida State and NFL star kicked things off by allowing Colorado super-fan Peggy Coppom, 98, to start the opening game. Sanders escorted her to the ball, where she kicked in raucous cheers. After the game, Sanders called Coppom the MVP.
“She was so fast, her first move was unbelievable,” Sanders said. “She was very physical when she grabbed me and made sure I held her arm.”
If there was another MVP, it could be an offense led by Sanders’ son Shedeur, who followed his father and moved from Jackson State. Shedeur made a few touchdowns in the spring game format, including a 98-yard score for a wide receiver return Montana Lemonious-Craig.
Lemonious-Craig and Shedeur combined for 154 yards and two touches, while Shedeur also had a quick touch.
“What did you expect? He’s a Sanders!” Deion said in the in-game interview when asked about his son’s performance.
Among the many recruiting victories, Sanders scored during his brief Buff tenure, which could bring in the former top player. Travis Hunter from Jackson State to Boulder appear to have paid dividends.
Hunter, a full-back coming out of high school, will – in Deion-like style – try to play both sides of the ball as a wide receiver this upcoming season. On Saturday, Hunter was the recipient of another Shedeur pitch while playing on the offensive side of the ball. During that drive, Hunter was targeted three times, and while defending, he failed to get caught.
The glimpses of the star qualities that players like Lemonious-Craig, Shedeur and Hunter displayed Saturday could be a preview of what the bright, immediate future could look like for Sanders and Co. But to compete in Pac-12, a conference where most of the offense is explosive, if not more, the Buffs will have their jobs cut this fall.
For now, however, the main takeaway from Saturday’s spring game is clear by just glancing at the stands and listening to the commotion: A new era of Colorado football has arrived.
