About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders gave a short but direct answer Tuesday when asked what the Buffaloes need to do to beat Kansas State on Saturday.
Colorado enters the Halloween matchup at Folsom Field with a 2-5 record and five consecutive losses. Saturday's 57-24 defeat at Oklahoma State included a scoreless second half after the Buffaloes took a 24-23 halftime lead.
Sanders said improvement must extend across the offense and defense, with penalties remaining a particular frustration.
"That's the only thing we're consistent in is getting penalties," Sanders said. "And that doesn't make sense to me, but we've got to do better. Got to prepare much better."
Colorado coach Deion Sanders stands on the field as the team warms up before a college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Colorado Buffaloes at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. Sanders said Colorado has shown more consistency on special teams in recent weeks and needs to maintain that progress.
"I feel like the last couple of weeks, special teams-wise, haven't heard you guys ask any special teams questions," Sanders said.
His concerns elsewhere included running and throwing the ball, as well as creating turnovers. Colorado committed three turnovers at Oklahoma State and failed to establish a productive rushing attack.
Sep 5, 2026; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Collin Klein looks on during the third quarter against the Nicholls State Colonels] at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images Kansas State coach Collin Klein said Monday that Colorado presents challenges through its personnel and the schemes used by offensive coordinator Brennan Marion and defensive coordinator Chris Marve.
"Both coordinators are very creative and do a lot. They have talent. They've got guys that can run on both sides of the ball," Klein said.
Klein also singled out Colorado's interior defensive line.
"Their D-tackles are extremely twitchy and fire off the football," he said.
Kansas State enters at 4-3 following a 28-17 loss at Arizona State. Both teams will try to fix execution issues Saturday, with Colorado still seeking its first Big 12 win.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Deion Sanders reveals key to Colorado beating Kansas State in Week 9
Source: Sports
