Shedeur Sanders reveals key to moving on from Stanford loss

It won’t be easy, but Shedeur Sanders knows Colorado must push past its 46-43 double-overtime loss to Stanford. After the game, the standout quarterback revealed how the Buffaloes can grow from the disappointing defeat.

“We got to accept this one first,” Sanders said. “It’s just a different level of, I would say, focus. Different level attitude, different level of just seriousness because the little things — even like when we scored touchdowns, we still busted routes. We just can’t afford to do that because it’s gonna catch up when it catches up.

“I understand when guys are busting routes and when I’m not making the right read, getting the ball out of my hand, doing the right thing, then there’s got to be some some punishment for it. We got to be able to grow from it and not keep making the same mistakes.”

Despite Sanders’ optimistic attitude, the loss will be a tough pill to swallow. Colorado gave up a 29-point lead in the loss. Of course, it’s easier to keep your head high when you put up impressive statistics.

In the loss, Sanders completed 33-of-his-47 pass attempts for for 400 yards and five touchdowns while only throwing one interception. Sanders faced constant pressure, ultimately suffering four sacks.

The relentless defensive pressure is nothing new for Sanders. Colorado has given up 35 sacks this year, the most in the country. Although the Buffaloes’ front five fail to protect the junior quarterback, he’s still had an impressive 2023 campaign.

In seven games, Sanders has amassed 2,420 passing yards and 21 touchdowns while throwing just three picks. Further, Sanders is connecting on 72.3% of his passes. Sanders’ 345.7 passing yards are the second-most in the nation, trailing only Washington’s Michael Penix Jr.

While it’d be easy for Sanders to blame others following the team’s shocking loss, he refused to do so.

“I mean, I’m not going to point fingers. That’s not what I’m here for. I let the coaches – that’s what they’re here for. They’re here to guide us. So I can’t really say that and throw no teammate under the bus, because that’s not the type of player I am,” Sanders said. “The guys know that know. And that’s it. But I’ll never put a teammate down and say he’s not fully in if he probably is.”

Colorado will have a bye week to recover from the shock of Stanford’s 29-point loss. Then, the Buffaloes will look to bounce back on Oct. 28 against UCLA.