After their week 2 disaster against Nebraska, the Colorado Buffaloes dominated Colorado State in the Rocky Mountain Showdown. The offense starred, and the defense held through- all in all, a great day for Deion Sanders’ boys! However, the story of the day became, well… Shedeur Sanders’ post-game actions. The handshake confrontation with CSU QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi was viral on social media, and the story became hostile soon. People were angry as they criticized Sanders stating that he is “immature,” and declared that it is a “no-no” sign to NFL scouts.

Josh Pate reacted to the story, noting that people only gave half the story. A body has to begin from the first chapter, not the second one. “What he did postgame last night and you got mad at it you called them all kinds of names but that’s starting on chapter two of the book chapter one of the book happened earlier this week”, Josh Pate said. As Pate has noticed, this, however, is not the whole truth.  

Bear in mind that it was not only the events that took place on the field. During the week, Fowler-Nicolusi took a dig at Sanders and the Buffs and then asked, “We’ll see how far Instagram followers get them.” That was quite audacious for a QB struggling for form. That jab did not sit well with Shedeur, and after the game, he was in no mood to pretend to be polite. “You were talking s— on Instagram… You can’t f— with me,” Shedeur reportedly said, leaving Fowler-Nicolosi hanging.

Let’s talk numbers! Shedeur Sanders threw 310 yards and four TDs on Colorado State and completed 36 of 49 passes. Yet the events that ensued surpassed the scoreline and raised much more controversy than the actual game. Shedeur walked over to shake hands with the CSU coach and players—everyone except the guy who had been talking trash all week: Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi.

The fallout and NFL implications

This is not the first time Shedeur Sanders has received backlash from the media, and this is a bit upsetting. He was in controversy for leaving the field of play early during Buff’s Week 2 game against Nebraska without even the courtesy of a post-game handshake. Critics were quick to label him as “immature.” But here’s the thing: Shedeur is passionate when playing. You could see that in the way that he all but bolted out of the stadium after suffering six sacks against Nebraska. The dude was frustrated. His O-line has been poor, and it reflects on his performance. Joel Pate pointed out this too—when your line is not protecting you then you cannot keep off worry.

As Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Draft prospects heat up, the spotlight on him intensifies. After a rough Week 2 where he criticized the offensive line’s performance, Sanders faced scrutiny not only from fans but also from NFL scouts evaluating his every move. Despite his clear talent and top-ten NFL projections, moments like his early exit against Nebraska and the on-field struggles with Colorado State have become focal points in the media.

Following the criticism, Sanders shifted his approach, praising the offensive line after Colorado’s impressive 28-9 victory over Colorado State. His support highlighted a cohesive team effort, as the revamped line protected him well, leading to 310 passing yards and four touchdowns. With zero sacks allowed and a season-high 109 rushing yards, the offensive line’s significant improvement was evident. This shift not only showcased Sanders’ growth as a leader but also reinforced the impact of team dynamics on his draft prospects.