Deion Sanders gives curious answer on why Juwan Mitchell didn't play vs. Stanford

Colorado linebacker Juwan Mitchell did not play in the Buffaloes’ 46-43 double-overtime loss to Stanford. After the game, head coach Deion Sanders confirmed Mitchell was not injured but was not interested in providing further details on Mitchell’s absence.

“Ask him what happened. Next guy,” Sanders said, demanding to move onto the next question.

Colorado’s loss to Stanford wasn’t Mitchell’s first absence this season. The 6-foot-1 graduate student was also nowhere to be found in Colorado’s narrow win over Arizona State on Oct. 7. With Sanders confirming Mitchell is not injured, it seems like the veteran LB’s absence may be due to a disciplinary issue.

It wouldn’t be the first time Mitchell has been in trouble. Arizona State dismissed Mitchell for disciplinary reasons in early August. Just two weeks later, Mitchell landed with the Buffaloes, his fourth Power Five program.

Mitchell was Colorado’s leading tackler entering the Arizona State game. In just five outings, the New Jersey native boasts 31 tackles. In September, Sanders praised Mitchell for his ability to quickly learn the Buffaloes’ defensive system.

“He’s really an intelligent player,” Sanders said. “He really knows the game of football. Not only that, he’s instinctive. He’s way more instinctive than the other linebackers. He’s very physical and his aptitude for the game — like, he knows football. That’s the main thing. Getting here that quickly and learning the scheme is phenomenal. But he loves the darn game.”

Deion Sanders keeps head up

Mitchell has been absent from his beloved game for two weeks now. Colorado’s defense has felt his absence. In the past two games, Colorado’s defense has given up a combined 54 first downs and 915 total yards. Now allowing 473.7 yards per game, Colorado has the second-worst defense in the country.

Sanders isn’t letting his team’s recent shortcomings affect his long-term outlook.

“We have no choice but to go forward, that’s life,” Sanders said. “This ain’t the only thing that’s going on in life. I mean all you guy’s dealing with something, you still moving, you still progressing, you still going forward, we got to do the same darn thing. We didn’t expect that. A lot of things that go on in life that are unexpected and this was one of them. 

“We got to knuckle up and let’s go. We can’t sit down having a pity party. I don’t feel bad for us. Some all y’all ecstatic about what transpired today. And I know that, but let’s go. We’re gonna take this one on the chin because we deserve it.”