BOULDER, Colo. (AP) – The cold and snowy day at Folsom Field began with Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders removing his white cowboy hat at center field and taking a bow.
It ended in pretty much the same spot, with the Buffalos huddling their new coach and the cheering crowd.
Sanders and the Buffaloes certainly put on quite a show on Saturday with the stands packed with fans eager to get a glimpse of what’s to come in the fall.
In more of a glorified workout than a spring game due to the snow conditions, the Buffalos showed something they haven’t done in a hot minute – promise.
“I’m amazed and just excited,” Sanders said, who overhauls a team that went 1-11 last season. “Today was phenomenal. I am very happy, grateful and thankful.”
It was all quite a spectacle. There was the kickoff by Peggy Coppom, a huge Buffaloes fan in his 90s, who enticed Sanders to boot the ball to start the action.
“Her kick-off was phenomenal. Went through the uprights and everything,” Sanders joked, calling her the MVP.
The announced attendance was 47,277 fanswhich was more than the last nine versions of the spring game combined.
Standers stood out in his cowboy hat, puffy vest with “Prime” stenciled on it, and the gold whistle dangling from his neck. He had his play-calling blade clipped to his side, but he was more motivator than play-caller while behind the line of scrimmage.
It was like a big Colorado reunion, with Buffaloes football royalty coming to watch. Names like Jeremy Bloom, Michael Westbrook, Kordell Stewart, Mason Crosby and Alfred Williams were there to show support.
Even the national championship trophy was there, giving fans a chance to dream.
“I have never seen this kind of energy. This is the spring game, remember, a scrimmage,” Bloom said with a laugh. “It’s unbelievable. Coach Prime has exceeded everyone’s expectations. I think a lot of people, including me, knew that if we could get him here the buzz would be back. I don’t think anyone imagined this – not even in your wildest expectations.
The stars on the field were quarterback Shedeur Sanders and receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, the two transfers that followed Coach Prime from Jackson State to Boulder.
“We’re moving in the right direction,” said Shedeur Sanders, who wore gold cleats. “Everyone loved it.”
Under his winter coat, Coach Prime wore a shirt that read, “I ain’t hard 2 find”, a slogan he uses to attract top players. His assistant coaches wore sweatshirts with “We Coming” – another Sanders slogan. They’re certainly starting to arrive too, with numerous recruits lined up for the match.
The elder Sanders hoped for a day of 55 degrees and sunshine. Instead, he got 32 degrees and snow, preventing Ralphie, the school’s living buffalo mascot, from running the field.
This was really the first thing that didn’t go according to Sanders’ plan since he signed in December.
The Buffaloes immediately energized the fans as Shedeur Sanders connected with Hunter for an early 14-yard score.
Get used to that combination.
“We’re just trying to be in sync,” said Hunter.
The snow, which had to be plowed off the field, caught Hunter by surprise.
“I was like, ‘I don’t know about this, Coach. Maybe we should move this inside,'” Hunter said. “I hope the pictures turned out good.”
Coach Prime makes sure his players earn their jersey numbers through their play on the field. Hunter earned his (No. 12). Recipient Montana Lemonious-Craig — a holdover from last season — could be next in line after coming up with several big catches, including a 98-yard touchdown.
And while Shedeur Sanders technically he hasn’t earned his number yet, he wore number 2 – the number he wore while compiling big numbers at Jackson State.
“I was looking for certain people to do certain things,” said Deion Sanders, whose team opens the season at TCU on Sept. 2. very good.”
There were, of course, wrinkles to work out. Especially on special teams, where the Buffalos had an extra point and long field goal blocked.
“Hot shit,” Sanders said. “I don’t want to see that again.”
Before the game, several big names in Buffaloes history showed up to mingle with the fans, sign autographs, and see what was in store. While optimistic about the prospects for a turnaround, former NFL player Alfred Williams — a member of Colorado’s 1990 national title team — is tempering his immediate expectations.
“Overnight is probably not realistic,” Williams said of the success. “But I would think if we can get into talks to qualify for bowl that would be fantastic.”
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AP Freelance writer Monica Costello contributed to this report.
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