Shedeur Sanders Facing Backlash for Costly Decision in Colorado-Kansas State

The Colorado Buffaloes suffered a brutal 31-28 loss in Week 7 against the No. 18 Kansas State Wildcats. CU came into the matchup with a 4-1 record, looking to extend their three-game win streak, but Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson and company had different plans.

Colorado was fighting for the win until the final minutes of the game. During its final drive, quarterback Shedeur Sanders pushed the ball downfield, attempting to get the Buffaloes into scoring position while they were down 31-28 with just over a minute left on the clock.

Sanders and the Buffaloes were facing fourth down and five, putting pressure on their skilled players to make a play.

On the fourth down attempt, Sanders threw a 50-50 ball to 6-foot-3 wide receiver Will Sheppard. The ball was then deflected by Kansas State, giving Colorado a turnover on downs.

While many fans believe the play might have been a pass interference on the Wildcats, Sanders has received the brunt of the blame. Fans think Sanders should not have attempted such a deep pass with a manageable distance to the first down marker.

"WHYYYY Sheduer??! On 4th down why go long?!" said one fan.

"uncalled PI 100% but there’s no reason shedeur should have thrown that on 4th and 5," said another fan.

"Shedeur throwing to a go route when he needed 5 yards wasn’t the smartest i will say." mentioned one fan.

"4th & 5 and Shedeur Sanders throws it 30 yards downfield??? Why???" commented one fan.

"shedeur has to be smarter there man. silly throw on fourth down and game." said one fan.

"Bruh what was that decision from Shedeur. Throwing a sideline jump ball on 4th down is crazy." said another fan.

Sanders finished the matchup with three touchdowns and 388 yards, completing 34-of-40 pass attempts. Despite the fourth down blunder, he had a solid performance, but the veteran was missing a consistent receiving option late in the game.

Much of these struggles in the second half came from the absence of two-way star Travis Hunter.

Hunter, the Buffaloes' top receiver on the season, suffered an apparent shoulder injury early in the game that had him sidelined for most of the matchup. Hunter finished his night with three receptions and 26 yards.

The Buffaloes were on fire heading into their Week 7 matchup, but Kansas State's Johnson and the rest of the crew extinguished the flame. With the loss, the Buffaloes fell to 4-2 on the season.

They have already matched their win total from the 2023 season, ending that year with a 4-8 record. If the Buffaloes could secure one more win this season, they would have earned the program's first five-win season since 2019.

The Buffaloes will have a chance to bounce back in Week 8 when they take on the Arizona Wildcats.

Related: Travis Hunter Sends Six-Word Warning to Kansas State

Related: There Was A Top 10 College Football Upset On Saturday Night