Boulder, CO – The Colorado Buffaloes’ hopes for a bowl game were extinguished Saturday as they suffered a 27-22 defeat to West Virginia, marking a significant setback for the program under head coach Deion Sanders. With a 3-7 record, the Buffaloes have failed to reach bowl contention after only achieving one bowl game appearance in Sanders’ three-year tenure.
Speaking after the game, Sanders expressed disappointment, stating, “This is not who we are. We’re better than this, and [Colorado fans] deserve better than this. I want better than this. I feel like I coach better than this. I feel like we got players that are so much better than the production that we’re putting out.”
The Buffaloes fell behind 16-3 in the second quarter, partially due to a blocked punt that resulted in a safety for West Virginia. While the offense showed signs of life with true freshman quarterback Julian Lewis starting and contributing decent numbers, the team’s struggles were evident.
Lewis’s first start saw the offense struggle, gaining only one first down in the opening quarter. However, he found momentum in the second half, completing the game as the starting quarterback. “I think he played a good game,” Sanders noted. “His first start, he did some wonderful things that you can see he’s going to be special. Did some things that you can see his youth.”
The season has been marked by instability, with Colorado utilizing three starting quarterbacks – Kaidon Salter, Ryan Staub, and now Lewis. The team’s defensive woes, a recurring issue throughout Sanders’ time in Boulder, remain a concern.
With only two games remaining on the schedule – a home contest against Arizona State following a bye week and a season finale on the road against Kansas State – the Buffaloes face an uphill battle. A 3-9 record for the 2025 season is now a distinct possibility.