Deion Sanders, bearded and rested after bye, weighs in on Michigan, 'Saturday Night Live'
Since his last appearance in a game as the head football coach of Colorado, Deion Sanders grew a beard, got some rest and rode around on his two new all-terrain vehicles. He also received a commitment from a four-star-quarterback recruit in Georgia for 2025.
All of it happened since Oct. 13, Colorado's last game before the team took some time off for a bye week last week. But now that he’s back, the Pro Football Hall of Famer took the opportunity to weigh in on a number of topics Tuesday, including the sign-stealing allegations at Michigan, the recent spoof of him on "Saturday Night Live" and how his team has addressed its nation-leading number of penalties. The Buffaloes (4-3) next play Saturday at No. 24. UCLA (5-2).
What did he say about Michigan sign-stealing allegations?
Sanders was asked about them at his weekly news conference Tuesday in Boulder but prefaced his answer by saying he didn’t know if the allegations were accurate.
No. 2 Michigan is facing allegations that it cheated by violating rules prohibiting in-person scouting of future opponents to steal their play-calling signs.
“Everyone is trying to get whatever edge they can,” Sanders said. “You can have someone’s whole game plan. They could mail it to you. You still gotta stop it.”
Sanders, a former Major League Baseball player, said the advantage of sign-stealing in football is not as “pronounced” as it is in baseball.
“If I know a curveball is coming, I got you,” he said. “You know, with football, I don’t give a dern if you know a sweep is coming. You still gotta stop it … It’s a physical game. You gotta stop it. So that’s a little tough.”
He then referenced his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, who were sort of predictable in their glory days with star running back Emmitt Smith, receiver Michael Irvin and tight end Jay Novaceck.
“You know dern well Emmitt Smith is getting the ball,” Sanders said. “You know dern well Michael Irvin is running the comeback. You know dern well Jay Novaceck is gonna do what he’s gonna do. And you couldn’t stop it.”
OPINION:If Michigan's alleged sign-stealing is as bad as it looks, Wolverines will pay a big price
What did he say about 'Saturday Night Live'?
Sanders was parodied on the show that aired Oct. 14, a day after his team lost to Stanford in double overtime, 46-43, after blowing a 29-0 lead. But this was his first public comment about it since comedian Kenan Thompson made fun of him and impersonated him.
Sanders seemed to enjoy it.
“I’m a fan of Kenan,” Sanders said. “Let’s just get that straight. I love him. I love what he’s brought to comedy.”
Sanders once hosted "Saturday Night Live" in 1995 and said the latest parody of him was “good” but didn’t elaborate on what he liked about it.
What did he say about his new quarterback recruit?
Antwann Hill, a junior high school quarterback recruit in Georgia, recently gave his oral commitment to Colorado for 2025, having picked the Buffaloes over offers from Alabama and Auburn.
He is potentially next in line to become Sanders' next star quarterback if Sanders’ quarterback son Shedeur stays for his senior season in 2024. Hill would be a freshman in 2025.
“I can’t wait to get him in house, and let’s get to work with him,” Sanders said when asked about his new quarterback recruit. “He’s gonna change the game in several aspects.”
What’s next for Colorado football?
Colorado has gone 1-3 after taking the nation by storm to start the season at 3-0. Now with five games left, the Buffs might struggle to win two more games to become eligible for a postseason bowl game.
One thing that irks Sanders in particular is penalties. The Buffs have committed the most penalties in the nation (69), tied with UMass and New Mexico.
To get back on track, he said his team has addressed the matter in detail with individual players. His assistants also compiled scouting reports on every Colorado player, including “how they felt about each player, how they’re helping us, can they help us in the future and so forth?”
This was designed to help his team beyond this season. But it starts Saturday at the Rose Bowl against UCLA.
“We gotta do better, and I’m pretty sure we will,” Sanders said.
Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: [email protected]