Deion Sanders found an answer to Colorado’s problems hiding in plain sight

Deion Sanders discovered an answer to Colorado's difficulties hiding in plain sight.

Key points

• Sanders is 19-26 in four seasons at Colorado – 4-8 in 2023, 9-4 in 2024 and 3-9 in 2025.
• That's not shocking news after Young's breakthrough performance last week in a 27-24 overtime win against Kansas State.
• "You've seen Moe, you know, Curly, Larry, who all in the backfield – not saying they 'The Three Stooges', but you know what I'm saying, " Sanders asked.
• Sanders then referenced characters from "The Three Stooges" to describe other Colorado running backs who didn't gain as much traction.
• Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham observed this week that Colorado has NFL talent on its roster.

Colorado football coach Deion Sanders confirmed at his weekly news conference Nov. 3 that Alabama transfer Richard Young would start his second straight game for his team at running back Saturday at Arizona State.

That's not shocking news after Young's breakthrough performance last week in a 27-24 overtime win against Kansas State. But it does signal that Colorado finally might have discovered an answer to its struggles on offense this year – a workhorse runner to take the load off of Colorado's quarterback matters and support turn the season around for the Buffaloes (3-5).

It additionally signals that high-level talent on Colorado's roster sometimes hasn't emerged for whatever reason. "We know we got talent on the roster, " Sanders remarked Tuesday. Richard Young is a classic example of this for Deion Sanders.

Young, a fourth-year college player, had 24 carries for 120 yards and two touchdowns against the Wildcats after not getting more than eight carries in a game all season before that. It was the kind of display that raised a question: Why didn't Colorado employ him more before now?

Sanders remarked Young didn't have a "pity party" concerning his lack of playing time. "He could have, and he should have, " Sanders remarked.

"You've seen Moe, you know, Curly, Larry, who all in the backfield – not saying they 'The Three Stooges', but you know what I'm saying, " Sanders asked. "You seeing them multiple names (at running back). I can't remember names to save my life. He hadn't obtained his opportunity, a true opportunity, and he secured it. And that's the most touches he's ever had in a college football game. So he proved that he's more than worthy." Why didn't Deion Sanders play Richard Young more previously?

Asked if Young indicated something in practice last week to earn extended playing time, Sanders stated he saw something in practice from Young "from the beginning." "Sooner or later you gotta say, 'He's in, '" Sanders noted.

It's not like Young's talent was unknown. He's from near Sanders' hometown of Fort Myers, Fla., and was ranked as the No. 22 national recruit by ESPN in 2023. Coaching legend Nick Saban signed him at Alabama, where he obtained fewer carries all season in 2025 (23) than he did last week against Kansas State. He just never obtained much of a chance to secure on a roll until then.

"The more carries that I was getting, the more hungry I was getting, " Young remarked Tuesday.

Young was only the second 100-yard rusher in a game in Sanders' four seasons at Colorado, with the other coming from Micah Welch earlier this year in a 52-21 win against Weber State. Welch was injured lately, leading to Young's emergence. Deion Sanders: 'We know we obtained talent on the roster'.

His production supported take the pressure off of Colorado quarterbacks Isaac Wilson. This person threw seven interceptions in his three previous starts but didn't throw any against Kansas State. Colorado was down to two quarterbacks after former starter Julian Lewis suffered a medical emergency last week. Sanders remarked Lewis is "doing well" but didn't elaborate on his playing status.

Young's breakout role additionally served as a reminder of the talent level of Colorado's roster as speculation has swirled concerning Sanders' job security against the backdrop of a 3-5 start. Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham observed this week that Colorado has NFL talent on its roster.

"We know we got talent on the roster, " Sanders remarked. "We know we obtained talent in the coaching staff. So we've been knowing that. Thank God somebody else pointed that out. Maybe we'll be respected a little more."

Sanders is 19-26 in four seasons at Colorado – 4-8 in 2023, 9-4 in 2024 and 3-9 in 2025. He obtained a new five-year contract last year that produced him the highest paid coach in the Major 12 at more than $10 million annually. Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: [email protected]. SMS Facebook Twitter Email. Share your feedback to support improve our site! Share your feedback to support improve our site!

In short, deion Sanders found an answer to Colorado's problems hiding in plain sight is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.