Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders ‘Blessed’ To Face BYU Defense In Final College Game

SAN ANTONIO – A lot of attention will be paid to Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in Saturday’s Alamo Bowl between No. 17 BYU and No. 23 Colorado.

The senior signal-caller is projected as potentially a top-two pick in next April’s NFL draft.

Sanders, the son of Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, has helped change the trajectory of a Colorado program that was 1-11 two years ago. Now, it is 9-3 and looking for its first 10-win season in eight years.

Sanders has opted to play in the Alamo Bowl and not skip it to prepare for the NFL.

That has surprised many, except for Sanders himself.

“I don’t do what other people do,” said Sanders. “I feel like that’s even from the beginning. We went to an HBCU and I had every offer in the country. I don’t really care what other people do. I’ll say it’s about the team and it’s about everything I stand for.”

The talented quarterback has thrown for 3,926 yards, 35 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions this season.

Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders shared his thoughts on the BYU defense

Sanders was asked what he’s “looking forward to most” by facing BYU’s defense.

“For me, it’s problem-solving,” Sanders said. “We know they’re going to do a lot of exotic things and a lot of different things we probably haven’t seen on film. But we just have to always stick to the basics and do what we do best.”

 

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BYU is No. 1 nationally in interceptions this season with 20. The Cougars have recorded at least one interception in all 12 of their games in 2024.

BYU is tied for 18th nationally in passing yards at 180.3 yards allowed per game.

That makes for an intriguing matchup, as Colorado relies heavily on Sanders’s arm.

Colorado is fourth nationally, with 327.2 yards per game through the air.

BYU DC Jay Hill on Colorado’s passing attack

BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill recognizes the challenge of facing a talent like Sanders.

“Well, they’re obviously very effective in what they do,” said Hill. “They throw the ball really as good as any team in the country. Shedeur is completing a lot, a very high percentage of his passes, and he’s got four very good weapons to throw to.

“It’s an explosive offense. I think it’s a fun challenge for us. It’s their pass offense against our pass defense. That will be kind of the matchup on our side of the ball that everyone is going to be looking at. I’m excited for the challenge.”

Shedeur Sanders: ‘They have a great everything’

Sanders sees it as an exciting opportunity to face BYU’s secondary in his final college game.

“They’re a talented team and they listen to their coaches and do everything 98% right,” Shedeur Sanders said. “It’s defense, so defense — eventually somebody is going to bust a coverage, and that is what it is. Watching film on them it is very hard to find a flaw when it comes to them because of the way they go about their business, the way they get in their stunts, the way they’re able to move and react different ways.

“You don’t know who is doing what. So they have a great scheme. They have a great everything. I’m very blessed for my final collegiate game to go against that type of challenge.”

No. 17 BYU vs. No. 23 Colorado

2024 Alamo Bowl

Date: Saturday, December 28th, 2024

Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. (MST)

TV: ABC

Radio: KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM — Extended pregame begins at Noon)

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.

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