Black And Gold Day Postgame Quotes
vs
Wyoming
Sep 20 (Sat)
8:15 p.m.
Colorado Head Coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders
General
“Thanks (to) all the fans for attending this scrimmage and spring game (despite) the inclement weather. We changed the script of the whole thing to be more accommodating to the players and ensure we're not risking injury. But it was phenomenal I'm amazed and just stoked, if that's the proper word about the attendance and about the energy and electricity, and even all of you. I'm so thankful that God led me in this direction now. It's been confirmed, the day was phenomenal. I'm really happy, appreciative, and thankful.”
On His Health
“We're trying to develop something phenomenal inside my shoe game. The shoes are being built for me to make sure I could get through the fourth quarter. So we have a good start. I just left the training room getting it taken care of, but, um, okay, it's not about me, man as long as these kids are okay. I think we sustained maybe one injury today, which is good. They'll give me a report because I'm always prayerful about these kids and these young men being injured and going on to the next level, whatever they desire. So I think we got out of there okay, injury-wise, but I'm okay.”
On Peggy Coppom’s Kick
“Peggy, at that moment, was the MVP of the game. She was quick the first step was unbelievable. She was very physical when she grabbed me and ensured I had an arm. She made a big play in a kickoff that was phenomenal. went through the uprights and everything, so I'm glad. She is just a breath of fresh air and breathes life into everyone close to her.”
On The Game Atmosphere
“I was amazed. I didn't know that it would be like that. It was unbelievable. It was a moment. It was one of those moments that you will never forget. It was one of those moments to behold like you had to be there. You had to be there. So just lining up in the tunnel, getting ready, and feeling it, our song comes on. And here we go. And we're running out there. It was unbelievable. Even with the weather, it was unbelievable. I'm always thinking way down the street. So recruiting, I'm thinking, ‘okay, national TV show and snow and spring. That's not good.’ But you know, people use it to recruit against us, but with the fan base and everybody that was there, I'm pretty sure they say, ‘hey, man, this is all right, then it's gonna be 50 tomorrow’.
On What He Saw From The Game
“I was looking for certain people to do certain things. And the people I was looking to do certain things did those things well. And some things, special teams, as far as extra point field goal, was horrible. It was hot garbage, so I got tired and didn't want to see that anymore. So I kept them from kicking in the second half. Except for the one blocked from scooping score down there, that was uncalled for. I understand it will be a lot of products that won't be out there, but still, whatever you do, do it with all your might and do it with a commitment to excellence, and we didn't do that on particular special teams. But other than that, they competed. I was happy. I told him I loved them. I was proud of them. Everybody competed. And everybody got an opportunity.”
On Recruiting
“You must understand many coaches attack it differently. Often, the kid is holding all the cards, and you're trying to see if he's gonna choose you. We're trying to see if we want him because we have a certain standard. When I talk about being smart, tough, and disciplined with character. I'm not playing. I'm serious about that. So we're recruiting one another. So these young men that are coming with family members and mothers and fathers and siblings, it's interesting, that the thought process I have several questions, pointed questions, and I ask every last one of them. I want to know those responses. Some people approach it differently. I have a certain approach, and I don't fluctuate from that. And I want what I want and will get it. And I'm not gonna compromise my thoughts. I'm gonna stand for what I believe.”
On CU Alums On Campus This Week
“The kids don’t understand the history of this. Chris Fowler is RG III (ESPN) crew I mean, come on. Like, I don't think they get that. Because a lot of these kids aren't historians. Chris, Michael Westbrook, Kordell, and other former greats. They don't even know them, and that's bothersome to me that you walk down the corridor and are not googly-eying somebody. Those guys are legends, and it was significant to me. I mean, seeing Chris Fowler in the weight room working out and doing pull-ups. I mean, that was unbelievable. And just RG III, what they represent and what that crew represents, and I'm good we had the opportunity to perform in front of it.”
On what is next in the process for the team
“Well, this is the genesis of the new era, the new thing. This was the genesis. This was the beginning of everything in the direction that we go right now. You all know that we're going to move on from some of the team members and we're going to reload and get some kids that we really identify with. This process is going to be quick, it's going to be fast, but we're going to get it done. I don't know how many parents, kids, and families I’ve got to meet after this but they waited for me to get up there and we're going to roll but I love it, I love every darn minute of it. I love it. I told you I sat in three seats. That's what you all don’t get. I sat in all three seats. What do you mean by that Coach Prime, I'm glad you asked. I was the kid that was recruited, I was the parent sitting by the kid when my sons were recruiting, and now I'm the coach, recruiting the kid and talking to the parent and telling them the God-honest truth no game. No game whatsoever. Straight up.”
On if it was his idea to have Peggy kick and her reaction when she was told
“Of course (it was my idea). She was thankful and appreciative. She really was. She's hilarious. The little quick comments that she had out there are unbelievable. I'm pretty sure they caught it in my mic, but she's fun, she's good. I wish to God, I just want to make it that far and have the same smile and energy and love and zest for life as she does. I really do.”
On his reaction when he found out Ralphie wasn't running because of the snow
“I didn’t know that was the reason why. I just asked, aren't I supposed to go out after Ralphie and they said, Ralphie isn’t running today. Cool, let's go do this. You guys have had a sick day, Ralphie needs one too.”
On how the quarterbacks played
“I think they fared well. We didn't do any interceptions, right? I don't believe we threw the ball to the other team, so that's a plus. That's always a plus. They got the ball down the field. Some were tougher than others, of course when you're going against the one defense, that's a little tougher, especially with receivers that might not be able to get open against some of those guys. I think one ball was thrown to Travis (Hunter) at the end right? A little pick route on the corner route, three by one and they got him on that but that was it. It's kind of hard, he’s got to take the one side of the field, you’ve got to notice that kind of stuff. I'm happy with their productivity. Of course, we need to find some people that can step up and do some things, the type of things that we're expecting Shedeur (Sanders) to do as well.”
On how the team reacts to the alumni that come to talk to them
“You’ve got to understand the coaches, we're not forcing it on them, but we're allowing them to understand what these guys represent and maybe the explanation of these young men that precedes them coming, it's phenomenal. It's noteworthy when they know when I'm able to tell them (Michael Westbrook) is one of the toughest receivers I ever played against and he was a dog, he was a killer. He was that dude, you don't want to mess with him. If you bump him, you better be strong and physical and fast because he was so aggressive. When you're able to tee that up that way, then introduce him to everybody's attention, you’ve got everybody's attention. Some of the guys that come from the past, first of all, apologize to them. I don't know if it was mistreatment or just dissatisfaction for them not coming back for years, but I'm thankful, I'm happy. I just want to rekindle the fire and the passion that they have for the university and let's keep it going because the more those are guys around, I'm happy. I'm enthused and they just bring something to the table when they come, especially when they're allowed to speak to the team in some capacity. That's a plus for us. That's a win-win for us and it's a win-win for them too because they have so much inside of them. They just take it home into the crib and not be able to do anything with it. Michael Westbrook was phenomenal. His talk to the team, Kordell (Stewart) has been phenomenal all week and so many of these guys have just been a blast. They've been a blessing to the program and I'm thankful and I'm happy to see him back. I see some greats, I mean some greats. Even seeing Chauncey (Billups) a couple of weeks ago. Shoot Chauncey Billups man, that's a dog. He could play football. He told me played quarterback and linebacker back in the day, and I can tell because he's a born leader and he's a dog but that's a blessing for me to meet Chauncey Billups. That made my day.”
On the players transferring and if he expects more players to leave
“I didn’t kick them out, they walked out. We’ve got to make some decisions. That's gonna be on me now, that was on them now it’s on me. Anytime someone quits a few days before the spring game, that should tell you a lot. God bless them though. The thing about it is I have no disdain. They called me to speak on their behalf for a coach, I would do so, I'm not going to lie, but I will do so. So, God bless them. We don't look behind us We look ahead.”
“Well, this is the genesis of the new era, the new thing. This was the genesis. This was the beginning of everything in the direction that we go right now. You all know that we're going to move on from some of the team members and we're going to reload and get some kids that we really identify with. This process is going to be quick, it's going to be fast, but we're going to get it done. I don't know how many parents, kids, and families I’ve got to meet after this but they waited for me to get up there and we're going to roll but I love it, I love every darn minute of it. I love it. I told you I sat in three seats. That's what you all don’t get. I sat in all three seats. What do you mean by that Coach Prime, I'm glad you asked. I was the kid that was recruited, I was the parent sitting by the kid when my sons were recruiting, and now I'm the coach, recruiting the kid and talking to the parent and telling them the God-honest truth no game. No game whatsoever. Straight up.”
On if it was his idea to have Peggy kick and her reaction when she was told
“Of course (it was my idea). She was thankful and appreciative. She really was. She's hilarious. The little quick comments that she had out there are unbelievable. I'm pretty sure they caught it in my mic, but she's fun, she's good. I wish to God, I just want to make it that far and have the same smile and energy and love and zest for life as she does. I really do.”
On his reaction when he found out Ralphie wasn't running because of the snow
“I didn’t know that was the reason why. I just asked, aren't I supposed to go out after Ralphie and they said, Ralphie isn’t running today. Cool, let's go do this. You guys have had a sick day, Ralphie needs one too.”
On how the quarterbacks played
“I think they fared well. We didn't do any interceptions, right? I don't believe we threw the ball to the other team, so that's a plus. That's always a plus. They got the ball down the field. Some were tougher than others, of course when you're going against the one defense, that's a little tougher, especially with receivers that might not be able to get open against some of those guys. I think one ball was thrown to Travis (Hunter) at the end right? A little pick route on the corner route, three by one and they got him on that but that was it. It's kind of hard, he’s got to take the one side of the field, you’ve got to notice that kind of stuff. I'm happy with their productivity. Of course, we need to find some people that can step up and do some things, the type of things that we're expecting Shedeur (Sanders) to do as well.”
On how the team reacts to the alumni that come to talk to them
“You’ve got to understand the coaches, we're not forcing it on them, but we're allowing them to understand what these guys represent and maybe the explanation of these young men that precedes them coming, it's phenomenal. It's noteworthy when they know when I'm able to tell them (Michael Westbrook) is one of the toughest receivers I ever played against and he was a dog, he was a killer. He was that dude, you don't want to mess with him. If you bump him, you better be strong and physical and fast because he was so aggressive. When you're able to tee that up that way, then introduce him to everybody's attention, you’ve got everybody's attention. Some of the guys that come from the past, first of all, apologize to them. I don't know if it was mistreatment or just dissatisfaction for them not coming back for years, but I'm thankful, I'm happy. I just want to rekindle the fire and the passion that they have for the university and let's keep it going because the more those are guys around, I'm happy. I'm enthused and they just bring something to the table when they come, especially when they're allowed to speak to the team in some capacity. That's a plus for us. That's a win-win for us and it's a win-win for them too because they have so much inside of them. They just take it home into the crib and not be able to do anything with it. Michael Westbrook was phenomenal. His talk to the team, Kordell (Stewart) has been phenomenal all week and so many of these guys have just been a blast. They've been a blessing to the program and I'm thankful and I'm happy to see him back. I see some greats, I mean some greats. Even seeing Chauncey (Billups) a couple of weeks ago. Shoot Chauncey Billups man, that's a dog. He could play football. He told me played quarterback and linebacker back in the day, and I can tell because he's a born leader and he's a dog but that's a blessing for me to meet Chauncey Billups. That made my day.”
On the players transferring and if he expects more players to leave
“I didn’t kick them out, they walked out. We’ve got to make some decisions. That's gonna be on me now, that was on them now it’s on me. Anytime someone quits a few days before the spring game, that should tell you a lot. God bless them though. The thing about it is I have no disdain. They called me to speak on their behalf for a coach, I would do so, I'm not going to lie, but I will do so. So, God bless them. We don't look behind us We look ahead.”
On the progress that’s been made
“There’s a lot of progress. Coach (Sean) Lewis, and Coach (Charles) Kelly, they’ve got a lot done this spring. Trevor (Reilly) as well special teams-wise. They got a lot done, a lot implemented, a lot of thoughts, a lot of this direction and that direction. I think Shedeur alone, this is his third scheme in three years, you’ve got to understand that. This is his third different scheme in three years, so that is alarming. These kids, these young men have picked it up quickly, expeditiously. That's why we're trying to find smart, tough, fast, and disciplined players so they can retain these things and play fast like we desire them to play. Those are the types of guys that we're going to get and we’ve got right now.
On the overall grade this game
“I get animated when somebody's not hustling. I only get upset when somebody’s not giving it their all. An effort play is an effort play. It's hard to get mad at somebody who's given their ultimate effort, but when somebody's lollygagging with somebody and they make it on the field as a penalty and we’re just doing stupid stuff. Overall, it was good. The players that I expected to perform, performed and it was good.”
On if the same alumni comradery will still be there when the season starts
“I would hope so. This was a welcoming kind of recommitment to the program and we honored them. We gave them the flowers and the roses that they deserve. They shook this, they built this, they established this. How can you not embrace them and give them the love and respect and honor that they deserve? We wouldn't have memories if it weren't for them. I love it 100 percent. I mean Kordell has been with me, I picked him up, and he’s been with me every minute of the day. Michael Westbrook, come on. I played with him on the Redskins. I know who he is, what he is, and how he is. He won an award his senior year for one of the best receivers in college football.”
On what difference he is noticing
“Well they understand what my faith is, they understand where I stand, and I don't fluctuate from that. They understand that I'm no-nonsense. I'm not dealing with the foolishness and stupidity and ignorance in adolescence. I'm not doing that. You want to be treated like a man, act like a darn man. We understand as progress, there's a process of being that but we're giving them steps. We have several and a multitude of navigational systems for them to follow, which is men that have been there and done that. When you have a guy like Kordell walking around, he embodied this during university. Walk up to him and ask him why and how. Just drill him for information and that's what we want. That coaching staff that we have you guys take it for granted, they're really good. They're really good. They've coached a lot of football, they've forgotten what football is, and some know in this room. You’ve got to take advantage of that. We're trying our best to just build and develop and mentor and to provoke change in every area, not just the football field, but everywhere. I love the diversity in this room. I'm pretty sure that’s changed from a year ago. I'm not talking about just white and black, I'm talking about we have some wonderful female reporters that are doing the doggone thing and I'm proud of you. Y'all keep going and you keep doing your thing. But we have so much diversity, so much more to do and more to give, and a way to go. I'm a change agent and I be darned, anything that I touch, it has no other possibility but to change because that's what we do, God bless you.”
“There’s a lot of progress. Coach (Sean) Lewis, and Coach (Charles) Kelly, they’ve got a lot done this spring. Trevor (Reilly) as well special teams-wise. They got a lot done, a lot implemented, a lot of thoughts, a lot of this direction and that direction. I think Shedeur alone, this is his third scheme in three years, you’ve got to understand that. This is his third different scheme in three years, so that is alarming. These kids, these young men have picked it up quickly, expeditiously. That's why we're trying to find smart, tough, fast, and disciplined players so they can retain these things and play fast like we desire them to play. Those are the types of guys that we're going to get and we’ve got right now.
On the overall grade this game
“I get animated when somebody's not hustling. I only get upset when somebody’s not giving it their all. An effort play is an effort play. It's hard to get mad at somebody who's given their ultimate effort, but when somebody's lollygagging with somebody and they make it on the field as a penalty and we’re just doing stupid stuff. Overall, it was good. The players that I expected to perform, performed and it was good.”
On if the same alumni comradery will still be there when the season starts
“I would hope so. This was a welcoming kind of recommitment to the program and we honored them. We gave them the flowers and the roses that they deserve. They shook this, they built this, they established this. How can you not embrace them and give them the love and respect and honor that they deserve? We wouldn't have memories if it weren't for them. I love it 100 percent. I mean Kordell has been with me, I picked him up, and he’s been with me every minute of the day. Michael Westbrook, come on. I played with him on the Redskins. I know who he is, what he is, and how he is. He won an award his senior year for one of the best receivers in college football.”
On what difference he is noticing
“Well they understand what my faith is, they understand where I stand, and I don't fluctuate from that. They understand that I'm no-nonsense. I'm not dealing with the foolishness and stupidity and ignorance in adolescence. I'm not doing that. You want to be treated like a man, act like a darn man. We understand as progress, there's a process of being that but we're giving them steps. We have several and a multitude of navigational systems for them to follow, which is men that have been there and done that. When you have a guy like Kordell walking around, he embodied this during university. Walk up to him and ask him why and how. Just drill him for information and that's what we want. That coaching staff that we have you guys take it for granted, they're really good. They're really good. They've coached a lot of football, they've forgotten what football is, and some know in this room. You’ve got to take advantage of that. We're trying our best to just build and develop and mentor and to provoke change in every area, not just the football field, but everywhere. I love the diversity in this room. I'm pretty sure that’s changed from a year ago. I'm not talking about just white and black, I'm talking about we have some wonderful female reporters that are doing the doggone thing and I'm proud of you. Y'all keep going and you keep doing your thing. But we have so much diversity, so much more to do and more to give, and a way to go. I'm a change agent and I be darned, anything that I touch, it has no other possibility but to change because that's what we do, God bless you.”
Travis Hunter, WR/CB
Overall Impression of the game
“The overall atmosphere did not surprise us, we knew that was coming, and we just wanted to show everybody what we can do in the fall season. We were appreciative of the alumni being there, but we weren’t thinking about them only about what we wanted to do today and what we could show them that they have not seen before.”
On playing in the snow
“I went to sleep early last night so when I woke up this morning, I did not know it snowed until I went outside. Once I went outside, I thought to myself we might have to play inside. I have never played in the snow before, but I have played in extremely cold weather and it was not that cold to me, but other than that it was nice, and I hope the pictures came out well.”
On Spring Practice
“We pretty much started off slow in the spring. We all just transferred in so, it took us a little bit longer than any other team but other than that we started to practice and then practice started to get more intense because we knew was, we were doing, and defense started to work together. We just put our head down and we started to work toward what we wanted to work with for this fall season.”
On the connection between Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders
“I would say the key thing is trust. I try to say every time I mess up on offense, or I am not in the right place or if I get there too quick, I go to talk to Shedeur and ask what you need me to do and to always let me know and then we just fix it. You have got to fix it along the road, and you can't just act like it never happened. You got to listen to and see what his point of view is because sometimes maybe I can't see what he sees. So, we just try to be in sync and try to get everything correct so when we go back out the next time, we will not have another problem.”
QB Shedeur SandersOverall Impression of the game
“The overall atmosphere did not surprise us, we knew that was coming, and we just wanted to show everybody what we can do in the fall season. We were appreciative of the alumni being there, but we weren’t thinking about them only about what we wanted to do today and what we could show them that they have not seen before.”
On playing in the snow
“I went to sleep early last night so when I woke up this morning, I did not know it snowed until I went outside. Once I went outside, I thought to myself we might have to play inside. I have never played in the snow before, but I have played in extremely cold weather and it was not that cold to me, but other than that it was nice, and I hope the pictures came out well.”
On Spring Practice
“We pretty much started off slow in the spring. We all just transferred in so, it took us a little bit longer than any other team but other than that we started to practice and then practice started to get more intense because we knew was, we were doing, and defense started to work together. We just put our head down and we started to work toward what we wanted to work with for this fall season.”
On the connection between Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders
“I would say the key thing is trust. I try to say every time I mess up on offense, or I am not in the right place or if I get there too quick, I go to talk to Shedeur and ask what you need me to do and to always let me know and then we just fix it. You have got to fix it along the road, and you can't just act like it never happened. You got to listen to and see what his point of view is because sometimes maybe I can't see what he sees. So, we just try to be in sync and try to get everything correct so when we go back out the next time, we will not have another problem.”
On The Atmosphere
“I don't feel like it surprised us to where it shocked us because mentally, we were putting ourselves through the atmosphere and the game-like situations each and every day going in practice. So now when everybody else is able to see what we do at practice, it's a show. But we just approach practice like every day is a game so mentally, we were already locked in, and we knew okay, it's going to be a lot of people.”
On First Impressions At CU
“I will say we’re heading in a great direction. Now, I know what I want. Back then I was younger, so I didn't. I was nervous, I was out there playing, and I didn't understand what I wanted. So I had to learn a lot. So I have a couple years under my belt now, so I know exactly what I want and I know how to get the best out of guys, like each receiver is different. For me, I know what's going to make Travis play his best, I know how to make Montana play his best and of course Jimmy and Caleb and everybody like that. But now we know exactly what we want and I'm able to really step up and lead us in the right direction.”
On Playing In The Snow
“I never played in the snow before. I played in extreme cold weather, but not like this. It was cool. But no, it was real fun going out there. Warming up there was ice and everything everywhere, but the grounds crew did an amazing job. The balls weren’t wet, everything was cool.”
On Preparation
“The main thing for a quarterback receiver relationship is trust. That's everything. If I trust him and I know, okay, regardless of anything, he's not going to let nobody pick my ball. Then the catch is going to go up and that's what Montana knows also. So he stepped up today too. I'm just really proud of just the whole receiver corps just stepping up. We didn't have Jimmy today, he was just out there looking clean, but right now I’m just excited that everybody stepped up and everybody had a great time.”
On The Alumni At The Game
“Before the game everybody gets together, and they come in and they just enjoy what's going on. We got to go out there and play. So I can't really enjoy it as much as they can, and I don't really dap up to many people because I want to just have extreme focus on the task at hand. So after the fact, then we're able to mingle and just appreciate what was going on, but that's the worst thing about being a football player, during that time we can't really enjoy the fact that everybody came back, all the fans in the stands going crazy because we got to play each play for what it is. We got to stay focused throughout the whole time.”
On Building Relationship With Montana Lemonius-Craig
“It’s been extremely fun. It was just him understanding the relationship I have with Travis also down the field, like deep balls and you understand it's a new offense. So the new offense is going to be pros cons and things we struggle with. So then that's when we all got together to work over spring break. Just maintain a good relationship with each other and keep talking on and off the field. And then game day, he shows up. So that's just the thing you can't double Travis and expect nobody else to get it. You can’t double nobody else because it's a one on one with Travis. So it just puts a lot of people in a bind because by the time the first game comes, you're going to have, for sure, a solid five or six guys that could go. That’s all we're looking at. If there’s a one-on-one anywhere on the field, the ball is going there. So that's just something you just got to deal with.”
On Kaleb Mathis
“I told Kaleb before the game it’s me and you today it’s me and you. I'm proud of him that he stepped into the moment because he's a freshman and then seeing a crowd like that. First spring game fully filled to the top. It's just different, but I told him in the game look I trust you, all you got to do is just do this and this, just sit in the right holes and do what you're good at doing. I'm not going to put you in a position where it's not you or where it's not your specialty and I expect you to make a play. So that's just the best thing about being a quarterback I will say is just knowing each one of your guys and knowing what they're good at, what they're bad at. Keep feeding them the ball and the stuff that they're good at and they're going to keep having confidence each and every play. Then eventually they're just going to be gamechangers.”