Despite the Colorado Buffaloes’ impressive late-game efforts led by quarterback Shedeur Sanders, their inconsistency on offense remains a cause for concern. In a Pac-12 matchup against No. 16 Oregon State, the Buffs fell short, losing 26-19 at Folsom Field.
Shedeur Sanders demonstrated his determination and resilience as he continued to fight for his team, even while limping, during the fourth quarter when the Buffs trailed by 18 points. He made some remarkable passes, including a 23-yard completion to freshman wide receiver Omarion Miller and a 12-yard connection with Xavier Weaver for a first down. Shedeur later threw two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, showing his commitment to the game.
However, despite their late surge, the Buffs couldn’t make up the deficit before time ran out. CU’s inconsistent offensive performance has been a recurring issue since their season opener against TCU. Rather than maintaining a steady level of play, the Buffs tend to catch fire in sporadic bursts. In the game against the Beavers, they struggled in the first half, managing only three points and 52 total yards. It was in the final two possessions of the fourth quarter that they found the end zone, scoring 14 points.
Coach Deion Sanders expressed his disappointment with CU’s inconsistency, describing it as “disheartening” to watch. He challenged his players to demonstrate a strong belief in their abilities and to act like the professionals they aspire to be.
The Buffs have displayed their ability to overcome deficits in the past, such as their comeback win against Colorado State despite a 28-17 fourth-quarter deficit. However, this inconsistency has also led to their 4-5 record instead of potentially being on the brink of bowl eligibility. Their inability to maintain a consistent level of play has cost them crucial games, including their remarkable comeback against USC, which ultimately fell short, and a significant lead surrendered to Stanford.
In the matchup against Oregon State, the Buffs continued the pattern of struggling early and catching fire late. Coach Sanders expressed his desire to see his team perform consistently throughout all quarters, emphasizing the pain of not being able to replicate their late-game efforts earlier in the game.