Colorado did its best to stage a late-game comeback against No. 8 USC on Saturday, a game that was not all that competitive until the 4th quarter.
The visiting Trojans built a huge lead behind the stellar performance of its reigning Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Caleb Williams, but suspect tackling on the defensive side saw USC nearly blow what was once a 34–7 lead. Ultimately Colorado’s comeback bid came short after USC recovered an onside kick with 1:43 to play to hold on and win 48–41.
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders was asked after the game if the team could take away any sort of moral victories from how it played Saturday against a top 10 team in the country. His response was priceless.
“I don’t know what that means,” Sanders said with a smile on his face.
Reporter: "Do you believe in moral victories?"
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) September 30, 2023
Shedeur Sanders: "I don't know what that means." pic.twitter.com/rOdG9cQkOt
Sanders’s 30-for-45 performance for 371 yards and four touchdown passes was overshadowed by the play of Williams for the Trojans. Williams went 30-for-40 passing for 403 yards and six touchdown passes, as USC showed that Colorado’s defense was no test for its dynamite offense.
While it’s clear that Colorado is much improved from its one-win season a year ago, Sanders and his staff still have plenty of work to do to get this program back on a stage to compete with the elite teams in college football. Sanders is undoubtedly aware of this fact, but knows that brighter days are ahead for the Buffaloes.
“If you can’t see what’s coming with [Colorado] football, you’ve lost your mind. You just a flat out hater,” Sanders said after the game.
The Buffs head to Tempe to take on Arizona State next Saturday, while USC hosts Arizona at home in its fourth game of conference play.
