Deion Sanders, Colorado can’t recreate magic at TCU with another blown lead

FORT WORTH, Texas — Everything changed over the course of six plays.

Despite leading 14-0 with less than three minutes to play in the first half, Colorado found itself tied with TCU just a minute and a half of game time later.

After the Horned Frogs got on the board for the first time with a quarterback sneak across the goal line, they were back in the end zone a few plays later after Kaidon Salter’s second of three interceptions on the night.

For the third time this season, the ‘would’ve, could’ve, should’ve’ Buffaloes lost a game in which they led by double digits in the first half as Deion Sanders’ team was denied victory in its first trip back to Amon G. Carter Stadium since the epic 2023 season opener thanks to a 35-21 defeat on a hot Saturday night in Texas.

“It’s one thing to lose, and it’s another thing to feel like you beat yourselves,” Coach Prime said postgame. “We were beaten in Houston. These other games, we had opportunities — ample opportunities to win the games.

“For some strange reason, we’re not preparing these young men and equipping them enough to get over that hump because we get to the same situational football where we could go win it or we could do what we’ve been consistently been doing. I told our team, ‘If we keep doing the same old thing we’ve always done, we’re gonna get the same old thing that we’ve always gotten.’”

TCU quarterback Josh Hoover (10) and Cade Bennett (60) celebrate after Hoover ran the ball for a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Colorado Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Well, the Buffs found a slightly different way to lose this time around. 

Despite the quick turn of events late in the first half, the game was not lost until late. After a controversial offensive pass interference call denied the TCU offense a big gain into the red zone on third down, the football gods quickly responded by having the ensuing punt hit the back of a CU player and fall calmly to the turf for a TCU player to pounce on it.

The Horned Frogs scored the game-winning touchdown three plays later.

“It was just a freshman mistake, man,” Sanders said. “(Freshman punt returner Quentin Gibson) has gotta run up and fair catch that and get all your guys out of the way. They gotta know that that ball is coming. We gotta do a better job teaching that and what he needs to do in that situation.” 

That’s been a consistent theme amidst the rough start to this season. 

It doesn’t really matter who the opponent has been or what different situations arise; the Buffs have seemed to falter in the biggest moments.

“For some strange reasons, we’re not preparing these young men and equipping them to get over the hump,” Sanders said. “I tell them every week, you’re gonna have a moment to change the outcome of this game, and you gotta maximize your moments. That’s the way you elevate to the next level. We’re not.”

It’s so frustrating because the flashes have been there just about every week. Aside from the Houston game, which Coach Prime is quick to admit his team was flat-out beaten in, there hasn’t been a game this season where he felt CU was not in a position to come out on top.

Colorado quarterback Kaidon Salter (3) dives into the end zone for a touchdown after getting past TCU linebacker Namdi Obiazor, rear, in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Gone are the days when Sanders knew what he was getting out of a certain group of players — his sons and players like Travis Hunter that he had grown close with prior to arriving in Boulder. 

Now, in year three at CU, he’s still trying to figure out this group, but these Buffs — after yet another loss in a winnable game — are a part of an increasingly shrinking group of lonely teams at the bottom of the Big 12. 

“It’s frustrating because I’m seeing what you see,” Sanders said. “I feel like we were the better team. I felt like that last week (and) the week before. Yet and still, we’re in this situation.”