Colorado's blowout loss to Arizona reportedly happened because a different coach called an offensive play.
According to USA Today, Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur did not call the game against the Wildcats. Shurmur was demoted after Buffalo's loss to Utah and replaced by tight ends coach and passing game coordinator Brett Bartolone.
“I may have already changed it and you don’t know,” Sanders said during his Tuesday news conference when asked about potential personnel changes. “I don't do something, give a signal, and then make big announcements like, 'Hey!' I don't do that kind of thing. I do this and let you guys take the pictures. You don’t even realize you’re shooting at the wrong target.”
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Bartolone's debut was not successful. After Colorado gained 140 yards on 68 plays in a 53-7 loss to Utah, the Buffaloes gained 299 yards on 77 plays and turned the ball over five times in a 52-17 loss to Arizona. The loss dropped Colorado to 3-6 overall and 1-5 in the Big 12.
Shurmur has been on staff since Sanders became Colorado's coach. The former New York Giants head coach first served as a quality control coach before becoming the team's offensive coordinator midway through the 2023 season. The man he replaced as the team's starter, Sean Lewis, is now the head coach at San Diego State. The Aztecs are 7-1 this season.
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In 2023, Colorado's offense averaged 5.2 yards per play while the Buffaloes went 4-8. In 2024, when Colorado went 9-4 and Travis Hunter won the Heisman, the Buffaloes averaged 6.1 yards per play. Colorado is back to 5.2 yards per play this season, although the team's rushing stats are the best they've been since Sanders was hired.
With Buffalo at 3-6 with three games remaining, they need to win their final three games of the season to make a bowl appearance. Colorado plays West Virginia on Saturday before finishing the season against Arizona State and Kansas State.
