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Deion Sanders Sends Career-Defining Message to Colorado Players After BYU Loss

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Grant Bricker | Last updated Sep 30, 2025 3:00 PM ET

Colorado and head coach Deion Sanders are at a crucial point in their season heading into Week 6.

The Buffaloes are 2-3 after a 24-21 loss to then-ranked No. 25 BYU ahead of Saturday's matchup with TCU. Colorado still has the rest of its Big 12 schedule left to play and needs to figure something out before it is too late.

Amid the quarterback issues, Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter remains the starter for now, but Ryan Staub has also started under center for Colorado this season.

At a Tuesday press conference, Sanders revealed the mentality he wanted his players to have this weekend, via DNVR Buffs' Scott Proctor.

“I want them to play like their life, career is on the line," Sanders said. “I just want them to play with full intensity and passion. That’s all I desire.”

The quarterback room at Colorado contains former four-star recruit Julian Lewis, Salter and Staub. Salter has started four games, while Staub has one under his belt. Lewis has not started any games and has only seen the field twice.

The three quarterbacks have combined for 1,054 passing yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions through five games.

The 2025 season marks the first time since Sanders became a head coach that he will not have quarterback Shedeur Sanders and receivers and cornerbacks Travis Hunter at his disposal.

Sanders was at Jackson State from 2020-22 and recruited Hunter, the former five-star athlete in the 2022 class, to play for him. Hunter then transferred to Colorado, along with Sanders, to play for Coach Prime in 2023.

Sanders' record at Colorado heading into Week 6 is 15-15. He achieved the program's first winning season since 2016 and first bowl game appearance since 2020 last season.

Colorado plays TCU at 7:30 p.m. ET on Fox.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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