Deion Sanders shows exactly who he is with crystal clear verdict as Colorado obliterates UCF

Deion Sanders' first thought in his press conference after Colorado's win over UCF on Saturday was not to hail his team's dominant performance. Instead, he paid a glowing tribute to Knights head coach Gus Malzahn.

The rival coaches have a longstanding relationship built upon UCF's attempts to recruit Sanders' son, Sheduer, who delivered another stellar performance to continue his electric start to the season. The Buffs were 15-point underdogs heading to Orlando, but they proved to be a class above the previously unbeaten Knights, romping to a 48-21 victory at Bright House Networks Stadium.

It was perhaps the most complete performance of Sanders' two years in charge of the Buffs, signaling their potential as a contender to win the Big 12. But his priority after the game was to give Malzahn – who has been in charge of UCF since 2021 after eight seasons with Auburn – his flowers.

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"Wonderful game. Utmost respect for Coach Malzahn. He keeps me going, keeps me on my toes. What he’s accomplished and what he’s brought to college football is phenomenal," Sanders said.

"The way he started things, the way he’s gone through [it]. It just inspires me tremendously to be on the same dern field with one of the guys that took my son to one of his camps and recruited him and offered him and has been straight up 100 his whole entire career.

"I’ve got love for him and to be on the opposing side coaching against him was historic for me and I’m thankful I got that opportunity just to be on the same field."

Sheduer Sanders bounced back from an early interception to pick apart the UCF defense and lead the Buffaloes to a 13-point lead at the half. The senior finished with 290 yards and three touchdowns.

Heisman Trophy candidate Travis Hunter continued his fine form, too. The two-way sensation had 89 yards and a touchdown on the offensive side of the ball and capped his day with an incredible interception as he emphasized his case to be best player in college football.

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The Buffaloes improved to 4-1 season heading into their bye week, with the visit of No. 23 Kansas State to Folsom Field following on Oct. 12. The 57-year-old purred about his team's play in all three phases of the game, with the Colorado dominating in the trenches against the top rushing attack in the country.

"It’s one of the first times that we came out and played a collective game," the Hall of Famer added. "It was phenomenal execution of what the offense is capable of. Sheduer, I think he got touched a couple of times, but other than that, we ran the dern ball effectively.

"I’m so proud of them. Defensively, we gave up a couple of explosions. But we went on to play as we are capable of playing."