Sanders Scolds Defense as ‘Hot Garbage,’ Donates Hat and Enlists Owens in Houston

Lead Colorado head coach Deion Sanders lambasted his defense as “hot garbage,” handed his signed hat to a young Houston fan before kickoff and brought Hall-of-Famer Terrell Owens to coach his receivers in Thursday’s Big 12 opener at TDECU Stadium in Houston.

Nut Graf Coach “Prime” delivered unfiltered post-quarter criticism after the Buffaloes trailed 10-0, underscoring growing pains in his second season, while leveraging his star power on and off the field to rally his team and fanbase ahead of conference play.

Defensive Blow-Up and First-Quarter Struggles

  • After surrendering 183 yards and three scoring drives in the first quarter, Sanders publicly excoriated his unit for failing to stop Houston on early downs.
  • Trailing 16-14 at halftime, Colorado’s defense rebounded with three tackles for loss and a sack but still looked inconsistent against a balanced Cougar offense.

Pregame Gesture Fires Up Fanbase

  • Seconds before kickoff, Sanders removed his signature white hat and placed it on a stunned young Houston supporter, a viral moment that energized the crowd and reinforced his fan-first ethos.
  • The gesture highlighted Sanders’s flair for blending showmanship with genuine connection in his third year at Boulder.

Star Power Meets X-Factor Coaching

  • Leveraging his NFL Rolodex, Sanders recruited Terrell Owens to spend pregame warmups working drills with Colorado’s receiving corps, aiming to infuse pro-level expertise and confidence.
  • Owens’s hands-on tips and motivational presence served as both a teaching moment and a recruiting showcase for the Buffaloes.

Quarterback Carousel and Season Stakes

  • With veteran Shedeur Sanders gone, Colorado opened the game under Ryan Staub, whose efficient drives kept the Buffs within striking distance despite defensive lapses.
  • Sanders faces mounting pressure to stabilize his roster and secure a winning Big 12 debut after back-to-back rebuilding seasons.

Next Steps Colorado travels to Wyoming next week, hoping to translate Coach Prime’s candid accountability and high-profile guest appearances into consistent performance and W’s in conference play.