Colorado well aware of threat posed by Kansas State’s Dylan Edwards

BOULDER — Deion Sanders isn’t making this game about any single player.

“They changed their name to Dylan Edwards? That’s what the team is called now? The Dylan Edwardss?” Coach Prime quipped when asked about facing the former Colorado running back this weekend. “We ain’t playing against Dylan Edwards. We’re playing against a darn good football team.”

There will be no animosity or resentment toward Edwards, who transferred from the Buffaloes after one season in Boulder, as he returns to Folsom Field this Saturday night with Kansas State.

"I love the young man, and I love him for life. I really do,” Sanders said. “Everybody who leaves here in the right manner, as well as just leaves period, I want them to be successful.

"Dylan made a tremendous choice for (him) and his family, and I support that 100%. I just hate when guys make those decisions, and they leave, and they shoot back at us. If you're going where you're going, you don't shoot back, because you're so focused on where you're headed, (and) you ain't got time to turn around and shoot back. So, I thank him for not being that guy.”

Edwards was never going to be that guy. His relationship with Coach Prime dates back to when Edwards was coached by Sanders in youth football. He was one of the first high-profile high school players to commit to the Buffs, flipping from Notre Dame, after Sanders was hired by CU.

But after his first season with the Buffs, one in which he was the team’s leading rusher as a true freshman and played a big role in the upset win over TCU in the 2023 season opener, Edwards could probably read the writing on the wall about what his role would’ve been in the offense going forward.

The Buffs had the worst rushing offense in the country last season and remained in the bottom 10 in that category this fall. Even as a dynamic running back, Edwards probably wouldn’t have gotten the touches his talent warrants in an offense that is fueled by Shedeur Sanders and his bevy of speedy wide receivers.

The Wichita native has found a role back for his home state Wildcats, though.

The K-State offense is centered around the rushing abilities of both quarterback Avery Johnson and top running back DJ Giddens, but Edwards is still off to a better start statistically this year, with 201 rushing yards and two touchdowns through five games after having 321 rushing yards and just one rushing touchdown all of last season. He’s got a 71-yard punt return for a touchdown this year.

But the Buffs still know exactly what to expect.

“He’s a little different, but I think they use him similar to how we used him last year,” CU defensive ends coach Vincent Dancy said. “They want to get him to the perimeter, of course, so he can out-run you with his speed. They want to put him in the slot. They want to get him a mismatch on linebackers to a win on the wheel route. You just gotta know where he’s at all times. This week, we’ve been doing a great job of game planning against him and everybody knows what he can do because he was here last year.”

Edwards’ teammates aren’t expecting any animosity from him toward his former teammates, either.

"This is probably one that he wants a lot — because whenever you play against an old school, you definitely want to have your best game and be able to contribute to the win,” said Johnson, who has known Edwards since they were kids. “But ultimately, I don't think he looks at it that way. I think he looks at it just like any other week and doesn't want to let the game get to him too much. He just wants to go out and play his game and do what he does best, and that's get him the ball and be explosive with it."

Edwards will always have fans in Boulder and inside the CU facility — just not this Saturday.

“We had some great moments and he's going to have many more great moments, so I'm proud of him,” Coach Prime said. “I just don't want him to perform well against us, but I want him to perform well against every other team."

Players to Watch

Colorado: WR Jimmy Horn Jr., Shilo Sanders

After his seven catches for 198 yards and a touchdown in Week 1, Horn hasn't had the same type of production the last few weeks. That's not completely unexpected given the talent in the wide receiver room, but getting Horn back in rhythm would probably benefit the CU offense in an important stretch of the season. On defense, the Buffs will get a big boost as Shilo is set to return at safety for the first time since suffering an arm injury last month against Nebraska.

Kansas State: RB DJ Giddens, LB Austin Moore

Wildcats coach Chris Klieman said it best this week: the K-State offense revolves around No. 31 (Giddens). He's one of several elite running backs in the Big 12 and has already racked up over 600 rushing yards this season. Defensively, K-State has a bunch of playmakers, led by Moore, a veteran linebacker who does a little bit of everything.