Arizona State beats Colorado 20-10 as Sanders falters

Arizona State beat Colorado 20-10 on Saturday, holding the Buffaloes to 103 total yards in the first half, ESPN reported.

Sun Devils quarterback Jake Fette became the first Arizona State quarterback in 30 years to throw and catch a touchdown pass in the same game. He caught a 7-yard pass from receiver Xavier Guillory in the second quarter.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders said after the game that his team’s effort was “way too late,” referring to a second-half push that fell short. The Buffaloes are now 3-6 and need to win their remaining three games to become bowl eligible.

What the coverage missed

Colorado had 103 total yards in the first half. That number tells you everything. Arizona State was not beating a good team that played poorly. The Buffaloes could not block, could not run, and could not get open. The second-half improvement came against a defense playing prevent with a 17-point lead.

Fette’s touchdown reception is a fun stat, but the story is Arizona State’s defense. The Sun Devils held Colorado to 3.3 yards per play. They sacked Shedeur Sanders three times. They made a team with NFL talent at skill positions look average.

What I think

The Deion Sanders era at Colorado is not working. Year one was a story. Year two is a football team, and the football team is not good. The roster has talent, but the offensive line is bad, the defense is inconsistent, and the coaching has not improved either unit.

Sanders will get another year. The administration has too much invested in the attention he brings to fire him. But the clock is ticking. Colorado needs to show progress, and 3-9 is not progress. The schedule next year will not be easier. If the Buffaloes are not bowling in 2027, the experiment is over.