Colorado’s upset of No. 14 Houston on Friday night did more than add a quality win to the ledger. It also gave Deion Sanders a public show of support from one of his own defenders, with Randon Fontenette saying the outside noise around “Coach Prime” helped fuel him.
Fontenette said he went into the game determined to leave an imprint.
"I would say my emotions heading into the game was like, ‘I ain’t leaving the field without winning or without making an impact to where we should’ve won the game’ you know what I’m saying? Or we could’ve come out with the victory, and we did," said Fontenette.
He tied that mindset directly to Sanders, making clear he wanted to deliver for the coach who brought him to Boulder.
"Just coming to the game with ‘Coach Prime.’ Like we all want him here.
I came here for him, to play for him. That’s why I really play hard, because I love playing for ‘Coach Prime.’
Like he’s a good guy, a good coach. He taught me a lot, dealing with things off the field and things emotionally on the field when things aren’t going your way.
Which he helped me tonight. Missin’ some tackles, I was mad, but he helped me get back to it," Fontenette continued.
Fontenette added that his decision to come to Colorado was rooted in Sanders himself.
"Just playing for him, that’s kind of fueled me to go hard. Like he brought me here. I bet on myself to come here for him, and I feel like I owed it to him to give all I had," the Colorado defender said.
Fontenette backed that up on the field, finishing with 11 total tackles, second on the team behind only linebacker gideon Lampron.
The win came as Colorado was trying to avoid repeating the three-win season from 2025, and Sanders has said he is not focused on the questions about his future in Boulder. Still, the discussion around his job security has lingered, especially with the Buffaloes now needing to win out to become bowl eligible.
That conversation has only grown louder because of the way recruits have responded. A number of players committed to Colorado’s 2026 class, including four-star quarterback Andre Adams, have posted on social media with the hashtag #PlayForPrime.
Now the question becomes whether that kind of support, along with the win over Houston, changes anything for Colorado and athletic director Fernando Lovo.
The broader coaching carousel is already spinning, with programs around the country making moves, including NC State hiring former NFL quarterback Phillip Rivers to coach the Wildcats.
Colorado still has work to do on the field. The Buffs finish the season with a road game at Cincinatti and a home matchup with UCF on Nov.
- Their next game comes Saturday, Nov. 21, against the Bearcats at 10 a.m.
MT, and the Friday-night victory also gave the team an extra day to recover before heading to Cincinatti.
In Other News...
Deion Sanders Just Changed The Colorado Conversation For Now
Colorados 42-32 win over No. 14 Houston gave Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes something they have not had in a long time: a signature victory to point to when the conversation around the program had started drifting toward frustration and uncertainty. It was Colorados first win over a top-15 opponent since 2007, and it came at a moment when the season had been defined more by questions than answers, with the Buffaloes sitting at 4-6 and trying to steady themselves in Sanders fourth year.
For Sanders, the timing matters almost as much as the result. The win does not erase the larger issues surrounding the program, but it does provide a needed burst of momentum and a reminder that Colorado can still land a punch against a ranked opponent. It also comes with the backdrop of his substantial contract extension and the financial realities tied to his future, which have only added to the scrutiny around every result. [Read more 🡒]
Colorados Bowl Hopes Face A Brutal Test Against No. 14 Houston
The path to a bowl game for Colorado got a lot steeper after the loss to Arizona State, leaving the Buffaloes needing to win their final three games just to reach eligibility. Next up is a daunting trip against No. 14 Houston, a team that has built its reputation on a high-powered offense and a quarterback in Conner Weigman who can make life difficult for any defense.
Colorado will need more from Joseph Williams and the rest of its offense to keep pace, while the pass rush has to find a way to disrupt Weigman and slow Houston's rhythm. The Buffaloes are expected to enter as underdogs, which only adds to the pressure as they try to keep their season from slipping away before the finish line. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Faces A Tougher Providence Test Than Last Weeks Results Suggest
Providences latest win over Bryant offered a reminder that the Friars are still sorting out their early-season shape, even as Devin Vanterpool led the way with 21 points and looked like the kind of scorer who can change a game quickly. With Vanterpool working back from an ankle injury, coach Bryan Hodgson said his condition is trending in the right direction, and Providence is also expecting Ryan Mela and Samson Aletan back for the matchup with Colorado.
That makes this a far different test than Colorados recent home win over San Diego might suggest. The Buffaloes got enough production from Barrington Hargress and Ian Inman in that one, but Providence brings a deeper, more complete challenge and a lineup that could look stronger by the time the teams meet. For Colorado, the question is whether that recent success carries over once the opponents full front line and backcourt are back in the mix. [Read more 🡒]