Turns out Colorado quarterback and NFL Draft prospect Shedeur Sanders was thinking about another college football coach who wronged him by his claim. Last week, it was Texas Christian University offensive coordinator Kendal Briles. This week, who from the Nebraska Cornhuskers got on the bad side of Deion Sanders’ son?
‘It Was Extremely Personal,’ Shedeur Sanders Claims
This time it was Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule who became the CU quarterback’s motivation ahead of his first-ever home game in Boulder.
Sanders, fresh off shattering the school record single-game passing yard record at 510 against TCU, went 31-of-42 for 393 yards and tossed two touchdowns in the 36-14 romp of the visiting ‘Huskers.
Sanders, however, claimed that Rhule was disrespecting his dad — better known as “Coach Prime.” So, it gave Sanders the chip he needed to place on his shoulder for this contest with Nebraska.
“It was extremely personal,” Sanders said after the game. “The coach said a lot of things about my Pops, about the program, but now he wanna act nice. I don’t respect that.”
"It was extremely personal… The coach said a lot of things about my Pops, about the program- but now he wanna act nice. I don't respect that."
Shedeur Sanders didn't hold back when asked about if the Nebraska rivalry was personal for him and Colorado ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/yZfQr2SzX9
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 9, 2023
Sanders continued with, “because you’re hating on another man. You shouldn’t do that. All respect was gone for them and their program. You disrespected us first.”
What Likely Sparked Sanders’ Words Before the Game?
Rhule didn’t elaborate who the team was, but Sanders and Colorado players caught some offseason comments made by the first-year Nebraska head coach.
Rhule sounded like he wasn’t too fond of a team that had “cameras following them around” plus plucked their players out of the transfer portal.
“I hear other schools saying they can’t wait for today, the transfer portal, I can’t wait to coach my guys,” said the Huskers’ first-year coach back in April.
Buffalo players, including Sanders, took it to believe that Rhule directed those comments at Colorado and Deion Sanders.
But there’s more. Rhule and the Cornhuskers were seen holding a team meeting on top of the Buffaloes’ logo at midfield. That also likely provoked Sanders and Co.
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There’s one more element: Nebraska and Colorado’s rivalry history. Before going their separate ways in the first conference realignment cycle of 2011, the Cornhuskers and Buffaloes were bitter Big 12 rivals. Furthermore, Nebraska owned a dominating 49-20-2 overall record over the Buffs.
But now, Sanders clapped back viscously, not just through his play on the field but through his postgame words.
How Efficient Was Sanders?
In the upset over then-No. 17 ranked TCU, Sanders completed 80.9% of his throws.
Sanders was just as efficient — this time settling for a 73.8% completion percentage and adding two more aerial throws of 30 and 12 yards.
Plus, Sanders showed his legs twice…one on this QB run to the end zone and then in his attempt to resurrect his father’s famous high-stepping touchdown dance.
SHEDEUR TAKES IT HIMSELF@CUBuffsFootball is running away with this one 🔥 pic.twitter.com/n11gzfnqQW
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 9, 2023
Sanders got nine receivers involved in the rout. But this time, Xavier Weaver was his top wideout at 10 receptions for 170 yards and one touchdown. His biggest playmaker from a week ago, Travis Hunter, was held to three catches for 73 yards but was a force on defense — four solo tackles and one pass breakup.
Sanders, again, has been ignited before games by coaches. No word yet on if anyone on the Colorado State side has got on Sanders’ bad side. But if anything, Sanders will likely learn about the deep history between the Buffaloes and Rams rivalry ahead of Saturday, September 16.