It’s easier to stay focused on the task at hand when you’re fueled by providing doubters wrong.
Just ask Shedeur Sanders.
The Colorado quarterback was asked how he remains focused amid potential distractions after Saturday’s 48-21 victory over UCF and told reporters, “By remembering you were just an HBCU kid that couldn’t do it at a Power 5 level. I don’t forget anything, I don’t forget what anybody said.”
While Sanders is now starring in the Big 12 for the Buffaloes, he started his collegiate career in the HBCU at Jackson State.
He thrived while there and led the Tigers to an undefeated regular season and SWAC title in his first season before guiding them to another conference title in his second year.
Despite that success, there were surely plenty of people who didn’t think he would find a similar level of success moving to a power conference team. And Colorado going 4-8 overall and 1-8 in Pac-12 conference play in 2023 surely added more doubt from those who didn’t believe in Sanders even if he turned in a number of impressive individual showings.
Thus far, things are different in 2024.
Colorado is off to a 2-0 start in Big 12 play thanks to a stunning win over Baylor and a statement victory over UCF. Sanders launched a Hail Mary to LaJohntay Wester on the final play of regulation against the Bears to force overtime and then guided the Buffaloes to a win in the extra period.
But it was Saturday’s road win over the Knights that removed some of the doubt that the Baylor victory was a Hail Mary-inspired fluke.
Colorado went on the road as underdogs and came away with a convincing 27-point victory behind 290 passing yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions from Sanders. The timing was also notable, as the Buffaloes also started 3-1 last season before collapsing.
They don’t look like they’re going to collapse this year.
With Sanders and versatile star Travis Hunter leading the way, they could challenge in a Big 12 that doesn’t offer as many daunting opponents as last year’s Pac-12. Games against Kansas State, Arizona and Utah, among others, won’t be easy, but having a quarterback like Sanders elevates the overall ceiling for the team.
