Deion Sanders Says 'It Felt Like the Moment Was Just Too Big for' Colorado in BYU Loss

After losing to No. 25 BYU on Saturday night, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders admitted that some of his players struggled to handle the pressure of facing a ranked team.

"Sometimes when it seems like you had more talent but you didn't quite win the game, it makes it feel somewhat awkward," Sanders said in his post-game press conference (1:10 mark). "We had opportunities, tremendous amount of opportunities, but nevertheless we didn't cash in on it. And sometimes it felt like the moment was just too big for some of our athletes. And they've got to do something about that."

The Cougars were the first ranked team that the Buffaloes faced this season, and things started out promising when Colorado took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and a 14-10 lead into halftime. However, BYU didn't back down and took its first lead of the game in the third quarter. When the Buffaloes answered back to go ahead 21-17, the Cougars scored another touchdown on their very next possession and held on for a 24-21 victory.

Sanders made it clear after the game that he wasn't pleased with Colorado's second-half collapse.

"At halftime, we challenged certain positions to go out there and up their game," he said. "Challenge their opponents. We didn't get that. We got the same thing that we had in the first half."

After falling to 2-3 and 0-2 in Big 12 play, the Buffaloes are still searching for answers. Quarterback Kaidon Salter, who was making his fourth start of the year and his second since being benched in Week 3, was limited to 119 yards, a touchdown and an interception on 11-of-16 passing. He also carried the ball 17 times for 49 yards and another score.

Colorado will face another tough test when it meets No. 24 TCU (3-1) next Saturday.