Coach Prime Praises Gus Malzahn Ahead of UCF Clash: "It's Gonna Be a Great Game"

As the Colorado Buffaloes gear up for their matchup against the UCF Knights, Coach Prime, Deion Sanders, has made it clear—he has a deep respect for UCF head coach Gus Malzahn. It’s not just the upcoming game that excites him, but the admiration he holds for Malzahn, a coach who has left a lasting impression on Sanders and college football.

"I love him. I appreciate him," Sanders said when asked about Malzahn. "He's one of my favorite coaches in college football. I love what he's brought to college football. A lot of similarities, he does it his way and I love the way he does it. He’s unapologetic about the way he does it.”

An Early Bond with Malzahn

Sanders’ admiration for Malzahn goes beyond just the game. He fondly remembers how Malzahn offered his son, Shedeur Sanders, a scholarship on the spot when they visited Auburn years ago. "He showed us love and compassion... it was tremendous," Sanders recalled. This gesture cemented Malzahn as a coach Sanders respects both personally and professionally. “It's an honor. It's a tremendous honor. And I got love for him, Coach Prime stated. “He’s one of the guys that I would call for advice on certain situations that may occur with college football players.”

UCF’s Strength on the Field

While the relationship between the two coaches runs deep, Sanders isn’t underestimating UCF’s capabilities. He highlighted what the Knights' do well. "They run the ball extremely well... it's a veteran team," Sanders said. He praised their strong quarterback, capable of both running and throwing, emphasizing that UCF will be a tough challenge.

Preparing for the Battle

With a solid week of practice, Coach Prime feels confident in his team's ability to handle UCF's offensive attack. "We got our work cut out for us... we got to load the box up and stop the run," Sanders said, showing faith in his defensive scheme.

As Sanders and the Buffaloes prepare, one thing is clear: this matchup promises to be an exciting showdown between two well-respected coaches and their teams.