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Sanders reminds team not to be surprised by 4-1 start as Colorado prepares for No. 18 Kansas State
Deion Sanders isn’t about to downplay his team’s 4-1 start
By PAT GRAHAM – AP Sports Writer 13 hrs mments
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Colorado’s coach took time this week to remind his players of just how well they’re playing and not to be surprised by it.
Some coaches also might mute the outside noise. Again, not Sanders. He hears everything, which was a bit negative early on in the season but is now much more favorable. He’s taking it all in stride — or trying to, anyway.
“As quick as they jump on, they can jump off. As quick as they support, they try to dismantle. As quick as they love, they could hate,” Sanders said Tuesday as his team returned from a bye week and prepares to host No. 18 Kansas State (4-1, 1-1 Big 12) this weekend. “I really don’t get into that. I definitely know who said what for my purposes.”
He’s taking note of this: Colorado (4-1, 2-0) is on a three-game winning streak that has it contending for a Big 12 title. His message to the team is don’t let the success be a surprise.
“How can you be surprised that you’re winning in life?” Sanders said. “How can you be surprised with the expectation you have for yourself? The only way you can be surprised is if you didn’t expect it.”
Sanders certainly expected it. He just wishes he could have a mulligan for a 28-10 loss at Nebraska on Sept. 7.
“Some of us are still upset about the Nebraska game,” Sanders said. “Because we felt like we weren’t where we are then, where we are right now. … When we practice like we do, prepare like we do, we expect the results.”
The Buffaloes have a big test this weekend against the Wildcats and their explosive offense led by quarterback Avery Johnson. Colorado’s defense will be at full strength, with safety Shilo Sanders returning from a forearm injury (he’s wearing a rubber cast).
Since Shilo, the coach’s older son, went out against Nebraska, the team has knocked off Colorado State, Baylor and Central Florida.
Deion Sanders’ advice to his squad: Just keep grinding.
“I don’t want them to be lackadaisical thinking this is easy, because a win don’t care who attains it,” Sanders said. “It has no mind, no memory, no whatsoever. It does not care. So it might as well be us if it has no care and no feelings.”
Sanders got a ringing endorsement Tuesday from athletic director Rick George, who likes what he sees from attendance (two straight years of selling out season tickets), games appearing on major networks and the product on the field.
