Deion Sanders vows Colorado will 'come out looking like a new team' in second half of Alamo Bowl

Colorado trailed BYU 20-0 at halftime of the Valero Alamo Bowl, with virtually nothing going right in the first half.

Quarterback Shedeur Sanders was hit hard repeatedly throughout the first half of the game, with the Cougars applying ample pressure up front. The lone big play came on a catch-and-run by Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter that went for 52 yards.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders pointed to a couple problem areas at the half.

“Special teams, we’ve got to make some adjustments there as well,” Sanders said on the game’s broadcast. “But we’ve got to protect. He’s trying to do everything to move the ball. We’re still on the runway. We’re not here playing ball tonight, but we will. We’re going to make the necessary adjustments at halftime and come out looking like a new team.”

One of the big issues for Colorado in the first half was penalties. The team was penalized seven times for 50 yards in the first half, with several coming at extremely inopportune moments.

Sanders commented on his team cleaning up the penalties.

“That’s just discipline, that’s all that is,” he said. “Discipline.”

BYU took a 20-0 lead in the first half despite throwing two interceptions. The lead could have been even bigger if not for the turnovers.

But a 64-yard punt return touchdown helped bolster the scoring effort, while kicker Will Ferrin added a pair of field goals from more than 50 yards to add to the cushion.

BYU outgained Colorado 152-61 in the first half, with 58 of those yards for the Buffaloes coming on the long catch-and-run by Hunter.