For a moment, it looked like Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes were back on track after their 24-17 win over the Iowa State Cyclones. The Buffs later enjoyed a bye week and hoped to build momentum with another big win, but instead suffered a blowout 53-7 loss to the Utah Utes last weekend.
The setback dropped the Buffaloes to 3–5 overall and 1–4 in Big 12 play, raising questions about their trajectory under Coach Prime. To make matters worse, what went viral was that an unexpected sideline exchange between Sanders and one of his assistant coaches.
What Did Deion Sanders Say About Yelling at One of His Assistant Coaches in the Utah Loss?
In the Utah game, a sideline moment circulated online between Colorado defensive coordinator Robert Livingston and Sanders, during which it seemed Coach Prime was yelling at his DC.
In his Tuesday press conference, Sanders provided an explanation for that viral moment.
“The little situation that you caught me yelling on the sideline, I wasn’t yelling at coach about a call, I was yelling about personnel,” Sanders said. “Okay, I just want to make it clear. So I was talking about personnel, not the call he made. I respect the calls that coach makes. I think he’s one of the best guys in the business.
“We just got to put us in better situations and do more than the guys have to execute. But I yell on the sidelines all the time. Sometimes I yell positivity. I’m not yelling negativity. Sometimes I get disturbed, upset, but I’m not yelling at the coach. I’m yelling about something else. So that’s what that was.”
Coach Prime also clarified this moment on the sideline that circulated online between coach Livingston and him.
“I wasn’t yelling at coach about a call. I was yelling about personnel.” pic.twitter.com/gwFO7W0j36
— Nikki Edwards (@nikkiedwardsss) October 28, 2025
Livingston’s defense struggled against Utah and allowed the Utes’ freshman quarterback Byrd Ficklin to rush for 151 yards and throw two touchdowns. The Buffaloes’ defensive line has been a big concern this season, giving up an average of 27.4 points and 427.6 yards per game.
Even after Colorado’s 36-20 loss to Houston on Sept. 12, Buffzone’s Pat Rooney pointed to both Sanders and Livingston for failing to address the team’s “paper-thin physicality up front.”
Sanders is trying to embrace the challenge as he has stayed late at the office since the Utah loss. He regularly discusses with Livingston and other coaches and demands improvement.
“Coach Livingston has done a great job since he’s been here, and I respect him and his family,” Sanders said. “But we got to do better all the way around.”
Coach Sanders’ squad is now determined to bounce back in the next game against Arizona this weekend. Colorado sits at No. 38 in the PFSN CFB Playoff Meter rankings.
