Urban Meyer breaks down Colorado Hail Mary, brilliance of Shedeur Sanders
Much like we saw at times early last season, Shedeur Sanders saved Colorado late on Saturday. The Buffaloes trailed Baylor by a score of 31-24 with two seconds remaining and needed a miracle to send the game into overtime.
They got it, as Sanders got off a Hail Mary right before being hit to find LaJohntay Wester downfield for the game-tying touchdown. Colorado later won in overtime, but despite the result, Urban Meyer believes the final play of regulation was poorly executed aside from the throw from Sanders.
“The Hail Mary, you get three people downfield,” the former coach said on The Triple Option. “One beyond, one jumper and one in front of it. Travis Hunter came across, but he got flushed to his left. If you break down the film, he is a millimeter away from getting tackled before that ball gets out of his hand. The middle jumper guy got tangled up and fell down. The far right guy was nowhere to be seen, so it’s really not a well executed play other than Shedeur to throw that ball where he threw that ball.”
Sanders is putting up big numbers early this season, as he ranks fourth in the country with 1,340 yards passing and 11 touchdowns to two interceptions. He’s done all that in spite of an offensive line that is tied for last in the country with five sacks allowed per game. Colorado gave up a season-high eight sacks Saturday against Baylor and still won because of its quarterback’s ability to overcome.
Offensive line was also an issue for Colorado last season and eventually caught up to the Buffaloes. After starting the year 3-0, they dropped eight of their final nine games to finish 4-8.
Meyer worries that could also be an issue this season if Sanders continues to take as many hits as he has so far.
“You watch the tape and he gets pressured almost every play,” he said. “He gets hit almost every play and he still just gets up and gets up and gets up. Can that continue? We saw it last year. He just got wore out.”
Shedeur Sanders is projected as a top NFL Draft pick next season, and plays like Saturday’s show his talent. If he can get the offensive line to show up, Colorado could be a scary team.