Referees ejected Colorado safety Siloh Sanders in the second quarter of Saturday night’s 28-16 loss to UCLA.
This was a defensive penalty that cost the Buffaloes dearly. Sanders, a former punter, caught a short pass over the shoulder of UCLA’s Carson Ryan and was immediately whistled.
“They have to keep it.
“If we keep it down, there’s no question,” Colorado coach Deion Sanders said.
“I don’t think he’s guilty because his shoulders are completely turned. He always does.
He knows how to hit.
I told him I was proud of him.
He made the damn game.
He dominated on the defensive side of the ball.
While this situation is unfortunate, I am proud of his efforts. I don’t ask my kids to be the best on the field, I ask them to be the best.
And he gave us the best.”
Shiloh Sanders appeared to duck, but the tip of the helmet touched Ryan’s head. The NCAA defines targeting as “forcible contact with the helmet, wrist, hand, fist, elbow or shoulder of the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent.”
Colorado’s unit, which ranked last in the Power 5 in total defense entering the game, forced four turnovers and kept the Bruins on the scoreboard, but fell short in its quest for its fifth win of the season.
Deion Sanders hurt the team’s play after another big, Sheder Sanders, faced constant pressure with seven sacks.
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“Not just the depth, but the killer instinct, the desire, the will, the athleticism … the hardest thing is the (offensive) line,” Sanders said.
“I think we have guys that could do well with a little spice.
But generally we don’t have the fight or the drive to do what we want to do.
I think we have the best quarterback in the country.
. I don’t think any other quarterback can handle it week in and week out like we can.
“We have to do something about it. We need to approach this plan smartly and functionally, taking into account what is at stake, and we need to do better.
It really is.\”
With four games remaining, Colorado (4 wins, 4 losses) must split its remaining games to qualify for the tournament.