Deion Sanders apologizes after Baylor-Colorado ends with premature field storm
In a highly charged and chaotic finish to Colorado's Big 12 opener against Baylor, the Buffaloes secured a dramatic 38-31 overtime victory at Folsom Field on September 21, 2024. However, the excitement of the win was somewhat marred by the premature celebrations of Colorado fans, who stormed the field twice before the game had officially concluded, drawing an apology from head coach Deion Sanders.
The game, already full of tension and high stakes, reached a fever pitch in the final moments of overtime. Colorado, favored by 2.5 points, had just managed to tie the game with a thrilling Hail Mary pass at the end of regulation. The teams were locked in an intense battle, and in overtime, Baylor found itself on the verge of scoring a game-tying touchdown to send the game into a second overtime period. The Bears had driven the ball to Colorado's 2-yard line, setting up a crucial first-and-goal.
Baylor running back Dominic Richardson took the handoff, and with only a few yards to go, it looked like the Bears were poised to punch the ball into the end zone. But in a moment that changed the course of the game, Colorado star Travis Hunter—widely regarded as a top NFL Draft prospect—made a crucial defensive play. Hunter managed to strip the ball from Richardson just as he was nearing the goal line, forcing a fumble into the end zone. Colorado recovered the ball, seemingly sealing the win.
However, before the game was officially decided, the play went to a review to determine if Richardson had lost possession before crossing the plane for a touchdown. Anticipating that the review would uphold the fumble, Colorado fans couldn't contain their excitement and stormed the field prematurely. The PA announcer quickly intervened, pleading with fans to exit the field as the play was still under review, stating, "Ladies and gentlemen, please exit the field, the play is under review."
After a tense few moments, the officials confirmed the call on the field: the fumble stood, and Colorado had indeed secured the victory. This sparked a second, more definitive field storming by Colorado fans, who swarmed Folsom Field to celebrate the Buffaloes' thrilling win over Baylor.
While the fans were jubilant, Deion Sanders, Colorado's charismatic head coach, was less than pleased with how the game ended. In his post-game press conference, Sanders issued an apology for the chaotic scene that unfolded. He expressed his disappointment that the premature field storming had prevented him from properly shaking hands with Baylor's head coach, Dave Aranda, following the game, as is customary between opposing coaches.
"That's not professional," Sanders said, acknowledging the mishap. "I wanted to shake his hand and acknowledge him."
The scene overshadowed what was otherwise a huge win for Colorado. With the victory, the Buffaloes improved their record to 3-1 on the season, just one win shy of matching their total from the entire 2023 season. Sanders, in his first year at Colorado, has overseen a remarkable turnaround for the program, and the win over Baylor was another step forward.
Colorado fans, while eager to celebrate the victory, seemed to have let their excitement get the better of them, causing a bit of chaos in the process. Nevertheless, the win was a significant one for the Buffaloes, who now turn their attention to their next game, a road matchup against UCF. A win in that game would bring Colorado to 4-1, signaling a strong start to Sanders' tenure and a promising season ahead for the Buffaloes.
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