Jul 10, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders speaks to the media during the Big 12 Media Days at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
Following practice on Saturday, second-year Colorado football head coach Deion Sanders spoke to the local media for the final time ahead of the Buffs’ season opener against North Dakota State on Thursday evening.
Coach Prime remains optimistic about his new-look team and praised several players and coaches, including senior defensive coach George Helow, senior quality control analyst Warren Sapp, center Hank Zilinskas and others.
With ESPN providing the broadcast, Colorado and North Dakota State will kick off at 6 p.m. MT on Thursday at Folsom Field. Tickets are still available, according to Coach Prime.
Below are eight takeaways from Coach Prime’s final press conference before Colorado’s season opener:
Respect for North Dakota State head coach Tim Polasek
Iowa offensive line coach Tim Polasek talks with reporters during Hawkeyes football media day, Friday, Aug. 9, 2019, at the University of Iowa outdoor practice facility in Iowa City, Iowa. 190809 Media Day 013 Jpg
Early in his press conference, Coach Prime shared some words on first-year North Dakota State head coach Tim Polasek:
“Coach Polasek, a wonderful coaching history, a wonderful coach,” Sanders said. “I got the utmost respect for he and his program and what he’s accomplished through his coaching career.”
Confidence in defensive line
Pittsburgh Panthers Samuel Okunlola (8) reacts after sacking North Carolina Tar Heels Drake Maye during the first half at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on September 23, 2023.
Stopping North Dakota State’s rushing attack will be paramount to Colorado’s success on Thursday. Here’s what Coach Prime had to say about his D-line’s ability to slow the run:
“Don’t underestimate the depth that we have at those positions (defensive line),” Sanders said. “You never know from practice to practice who’s going to start. We have two phenomenal defensive line coaches, and you throw in coach (Vincent) Dancy with the rush ends and you’ve got three phenomenal guys with a wealth of knowledge, as well as experience. I’m excited about what I’ve seen in practice. I’m excited about what I feel like we’re going to see next Thursday because right now, these guys are tired of hitting each other. They want to hit some other colors.”
Playing to strengths
TEMPE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 07: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes leads teammates onto the field before the NCAAF game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium on October 07, 2023 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Coach Prime was asked about how he’ll manage rotations at key position groups:
“It really don’t benefit us to name our starters,” Sanders said. “That’s for you guys (media). If you want that, we’ll probably try to provide for you. It don’t matter who starts the game, it matters who finishes the game and who makes the most out of their opportunities.”
High expectations
Sep 2, 2023; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deon Sanders runs on the field before the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Here’s some of what Coach Prime said when asked about his personal expectations for the season:
“I expect to do some amazing things,” Sanders said. “Will I share those things that we expect? No. We got several players that I expect the world from, and I expect to count on them in so many different avenues and facets of life.”
Hank Zilinskas continues to thrive
Oct 7, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffaloes center Hank Zilinskas (58) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Coach Prime reaffirmed his confidence in expected starting center Hank Zilinskas, a Colorado native who committed to the Buffs before Sanders arrived:
“Hank is not only a great young man, but Hank loves the game, he loves to compete,” Sanders said. “He loves to be that underdog that a lot of people counted out. He’s just slowly but surely, like the little engine that could. He kept saying, ‘I think I can,’ and next thing you know, he’s a starter. I’m truly proud of him. We’ve done some special things with Hank to kind of keep him in the middle of certain groups that we have so he can understand the communication and articulation and how people vibe.”
Just getting started
Deion Sanders acknowledges this season is end of an era in terms of coaching his sons, but this is not his “last go-around” with the #CUBuffs.
“I am just getting started in college football.”
— Tyler King (@King_TylerB) August 24, 2024
One of Sanders’ better quotes came when he was asked about this being his final season coaching his sons Shedeur and Shilo Sanders.
Role for tight ends
Aug 3, 2023; Columbus, OH, USA; Sam Hart (81) and Jace Middleton (46) compete during the first football practice of the 2023 season at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Doral Chenoweth-The Columbus Dispatch
As expected, Coach Prime confirmed that Colorado’s tight ends will prioritize blocking over pass-catching.
“Block first, receiver second,” Sanders said of the role his tight ends will play. “Last year, Mikey (Michael Harrison) did a phenomenal job but defenses didn’t change because we had a tight end/receiver in… When we put a tight end in, we want the personnel to change on the defense so that we can do some of the things that we want to do.”
New “Leaders” and “Dawgs”
Coach Prime said that Charlie Offerdahl, Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig, Shedeur Sanders and Mark “Mate” Vassett will have L “Leader” jersey patches.
“I’ll give out the Dawgs the week of the game. We have a bunch of potential guys who can fit that mold. Travis is definitely one of them.”
— Jake Schwanitz (@JakeDNVR) August 24, 2024
This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Takeaways from Deion Sanders’ final presser before North Dakota State game
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