Big 12 play didn’t exactly start with fireworks for Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes. Friday night’s clash at Houston was a brutal reality check. A 36-20 loss, and it felt like every mistake Colorado made got magnified under the lights. Quarterback Ryan Staub, just getting comfortable in his second career start, took a step back, while the defense looked like it forgot how to stop anyone. Over 400 total yards allowed, 209 on the ground, and absolutely no consistent push from the front seven.

After the game, cornerback Preston Hodge didn’t mince words. He put the defensive line on blast, calling out their responsibility in man coverage schemes: “We play a lot of man so us as DBs, we can’t see the QB. We have to trust our D-Line to stay in their lanes.” Shared by insider Scott Procter on X. The secondary can’t cover the field if the D-line isn’t holding up its end, and last night, the line clearly wasn’t.

Conner Weigman, Houston’s quarterback, took full advantage. He passed for 222 yards, rushed for 83, and scored two touchdowns on the ground, slicing through Colorado’s defensive fronts like butter. Running back Dean Connors added 89 yards and a TD, dominating the line of scrimmage and turning seemingly small gaps into big gains.

By the third quarter, the Buffaloes’ defense looked completely lost: Houston out-gained them 123–0 in total yards, converting three of four third downs and maintaining nearly flawless possession. Even when Colorado managed to stop a play or two, coach Willie Fritz had Houston’s offense running clever passing schemes to keep drives alive, leaving the Buffs chasing shadows.

Defensive coordinator Robert Livingston has a long night ahead in reviewing tape. Tackling in space was slow, lane discipline nonexistent, and overall defensive balance remains an open question. Giving up 431 yards total, including 209 on the ground, while your cornerbacks are publicly questioning the line’s effort is a recipe for a meltdown. The offense wasn’t any better.

Deion Sanders ‘dumbfounded’ after Houston Road collapse

The Buffs kicked off the game like they were still in warm-ups. Four straight punts to start. Ryan Staub looked stiff and borderline sloppy behind an offensive line that couldn’t protect him, giving up 3 sacks and crazy pressure. Play calling was painfully predictable, key throws were dropped, and critical downs slipped through their fingers.

By the third quarter, Colorado’s offense barely existed. Time of possession, field position, momentum, everything tilted sharply in Houston’s favor. Staub’s two second-half interceptions only crushed any chance of a comeback.

Coach Prime, usually the coolest in the building was low-key speechless: “It wasn’t good. I’m at a loss for words,” Sanders said. “No one could have told me this was going to happen after this week’s prep. I take full responsibility for the foolishness that went on out there. We gotta do better in every phase. We gotta prepare our kids. Period.” He doubled down: “I’m still dumbfounded on what just transpired … you guys tell me.”

Staub’s rhythm never arrived. He managed 2 long touchdown drives to make it 16-14 at halftime, but the offense largely disappeared afterward. Their next score was a pass to Williams in the fourth quarter: “We were feeling good at halftime,” Staub said, “but throughout the game, we weren’t good enough on third down. Three-and-out on the first drive of the third quarter, and Houston had the ball for the whole quarter. I can’t do that to the defense. It’s tough to win that way.”

Colorado finished a pitiful 4-for-14 on third downs, with zero conversions in the second half and none on third-and-long. With Wyoming visiting Boulder next week, the Buffs have a shot to reset before Big 12 play resumes against BYU at Folsom Field. But Friday’s collapse left a lasting mark. From blown assignments to offensive stagnation and defensive breakdowns, Sanders’ frustration was impossible to ignore.