Colorado head coach Deion Sanders entered the new season with pressure building after the Buffaloes finished 3-9 last year. To avoid a repeat of that record, Sanders headed a significant overhaul of the roster, adding more than 40 players. That massive reset only raised expectations in Boulder, but the opener against Georgia Tech did little to ease concerns.
The Buffaloes struggled throughout the contest before escaping with a 14-13 win. As a result, Colorado reporter Jake Shapiro had plenty to say about Sanders’ coaching on the night.
Jake Shapiro Calls Out Deion Sanders
In the narrow victory, the Colorado special teams struggled throughout the game. Following those mistakes, Shapiro took aim at Sanders on X.
“We start the year with special teams error,” he wrote. “Good to see Coach Prime doing his thing.”
We start the year with special teams error. Good to see coach prime doing his thing.
— Jake Shapiro (@Shapalicious) September 4, 2026
Then, Shapiro turned his attention toward punter Damon Greaves for his rough start.
Julian Lewis completed his first three passes before Colorado’s opening drive stalled at the 40-yard line. Greaves entered for his first punt, but Georgia Tech’s heavy rush nearly blocked it. The pressure forced him into a rushed kick that fluttered out of bounds for only 21 yards, giving the Yellow Jackets the ball at the 40.
That sequence pushed Shapiro’s frustration even further, especially after Sanders had permitted Greaves to wear No. 21. The number carries special meaning because Sanders propelled it into iconic territory during his Hall of Fame career. Sanders also named Greaves the team’s lone captain for the game.
“The punter is so good he earned Deion’s special number 21, and his first boot of the year goes for 21 yards. Truly pathetic,” the Denver Sports analyst wrote.
PREDICT THE CFB SEASON: PFN’s Free CFB Playoff Predictor
Beyond Greaves’ 21-yard punt, Colorado repeatedly missed assignments against Georgia Tech. Moments after Micah Welch scored Colorado’s first touchdown, Rahkeem Smith exposed the coverage with a 100-yard kickoff return.
Then, Colorado suffered another costly breakdown in the fourth quarter, when Georgia Tech’s Kevin Roche Jr. blocked Daniel Gerlach’s 38-yard field goal attempt.
“Four years of Deion Sanders not understanding special teams. FOUR YEARS. This guy!” Shapiro wrote.
START PREPARING: PFN’s Free College Fantasy Simulator
Colorado’s coverage unit created another problem by failing to properly execute a kick that should have pinned Georgia Tech deep. Instead, the Yellow Jackets gained favorable field position and another small advantage.
Shapiro quickly voiced his anger again, writing, “ANOTHER SPECIAL TEAMS FAIL… WHO COULD’VE SEEN IT COMING. “Coach Prime,” pathetic man.”
In another rant, he added, “Who needs a special teams coach anyway… and how is this the second time he’s not had a STC in four years? Unbelievable.”
Despite these struggles, Colorado found a way out of the mess. They were trailing 13-7 with the clock running down before Lewis took control.
With only 37 seconds left, Lewis guided a 75-yard touchdown drive to put Colorado ahead. Then Tennessee transfer Boo Carter blocked Georgia Tech’s potential game-winning field goal as time expired, sealing the 14-13 escape.
Despite the loss, Georgia Tech pushed Colorado to the limit and nearly pulled off the upset.
The Yellow Jackets also had former Texans star receiver DeAndre Hopkins on the staff as an assistant. Head coach Brent Key called Hopkins “a rising star in the coaching profession” and added, “He has all of the attributes to be a head coach.”
Criticism for Sanders, though, came in leaps and bounds. Attention will now turn to Week 2 when the Buffaloes host Weber State on September 12 at Folsom Field in Boulder.
