College football preseason ages in week 3 and is in the third week of fear
Before Snap’s Michelle Martinelli and Tyler Netzuno break down preseason college football, they feel good and come up with something they already regret.
- Colorado fell 1-2 after a 36-20 defeat to Houston, and manager Dion Sanders became “Dam Found.”
- Sanders expressed uncertainty about the team’s quarterback situation after a performance from starter Ryan Staub.
- Sanders said he takes full responsibility for the team’s performance and needs to improve at every stage.
HOUSTON – Colorado football coach Dion Sanders sat in a folding chair in a warm, cramped room Friday night and tried to provide some answers about what had just happened.
But he really had nothing.
He said he was “umbed” after his team fell apart in various ways during a 36-20 defeat to Houston. The loss dropped Colorado 1-2 this season in front of a crowd of 37,899 announced at TDECU Stadium. Houston improved to 3-0 with both teams’ Big 12 Conference Openers.
“No one would have told me it was going to descend like that,” Sanders later told reporters. “There’s no way.”
Sanders denounced the “night game” for his team’s dullness before backtracking, noting that his opponents were also playing at night. The list to clean up Sanders’ laundry list included his defense, coaching and quarterback situation.
“I don’t know,” Sanders said when asked about the future of his position.
At one point he was asked where he was below his own expectations as a coach. Which specific area?
“Everything,” Sanders said. “Everything. Everything. Yeah, everything.”
It starts at the most important position in the field.
What did Deion Sanders say about his new quarterback?
Sanders tried out new starting quarterback Ryan Staub on Friday. Ryan Staub was listed as the team’s third passerby and came out of the bench before triggering the team in a 31-7 victory over Delaware. Staub started slowly against Houston, punting his team four consecutive possessions to start the game. He then came to life and brought the team within 16-14 at halftime. However, he was unable to maintain momentum in the third quarter and finished with two intercepts in the fourth quarter.
“Staub didn’t work,” Sanders said. “I saw what you saw. He didn’t play well today.”
Staub completed 19 of 35 passes and one touchdown pass for 204 yards. Receiver Joseph Williams is 4:34 left in the game from 37 yards. It was too little and too late, reducing Houston’s lead to 33-20.
“It always falls to the quarterback after all,” Stubb said.
But it wasn’t his fault. His receivers sometimes dropped passes, and sometimes he didn’t get good protection. He was fired three times.
In the third quarter, he barely got the ball. Colorado owned the ball at 2:11 of the 15th minute quarter as Houston smashed offense on 25 plays, compared to just five in Colorado.
“It wasn’t good,” Sanders said of the overall effort. “It wasn’t good at all. I’m fully responsible for the stupidity that happened there.”
What will the Deion Sanders do at quarterback now?
He said he had no idea and had no thoughts about it after the game. Sanders has basically two options. Stick to Staub and give another shot with Wyoming in another night game the following weekend. Or go back to Kaidon Salter, the Liberty Transfer, which started the first two games in Colorado.
Famous freshman quarterback Julian Lewis is also an option, but he is still considered too young at 17 and underdeveloped.
“Our team will be going as long as the QB room goes,” Staub said. “These people definitely need to be prepared and stay cooperative. We all need to support each other and help each other.
What is your deal with Colorado’s defense?
Colorado joined the game’s rankings among the bottom 30 across the nation, in a hurry and in full defense. This time, Buffalo gave up 209 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. His last one came in a 7-yard draw with 11:39 left, helping the Cougars go up 33-14.
“We had a hard time stopping the run,” said Colorado defensive back Preston Hodge. “It’s not a particular person’s fault.”
They were often bent, but not always broken. Houston kicker Esan Sanchez delved into five field goals, 52, 43, 47, 35 and 49 yards.
“We’re kicking the ass,” Sanders said of his defense.
Sanders was particularly surprised at how his team was flattened after he impressed him in a week of practice.
“This game wouldn’t have said that this game would be like this with the conferences we had and the film research and the preparations we had,” Sanders said.
The kickoff for Wyoming next Saturday is 8:15pm local time (10:15pm ET). A week later, the Buff hosted BYU in the game at the same time.
“We have to do better at every stage of the game,” Sanders said. “We need to prepare our kids better. We need to do a better period.”
Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com
