Deion Sanders downplays tension with Matt Rhule as tamer version of Colorado-Nebraska looms

The college football rivalry between Colorado and Nebraska feels more tame this season — at least in front of the cameras. Last year, tensions were high after Deion Sanders and one of his sons took issue with comments from Huskers head coach Matt Rhule. However, ahead of Saturday’s showdown in Lincoln, both coaches have expressed mutual respect for one another.

“There’s always a lot of hype,” Sanders said about the rivalry with Nebraska. “First of all, I have a ton of respect for Matt Rhule. He’s in — I call it our class of coaches. We all took on a tremendous test that year, along with (Kenny) Dillingham and several others. So I feel like we’re a fraternity. So, I root for that class of head coaches that came in that year. He was a professional, did a phenomenal job — maybe not the job that he aspired to do, but he has a ton of experience, and I love what he’s accomplished in his college coaching career.”

Shedeur Sanders recalled Rhule showing “disrespect” toward the Colorado program in the spring of 2023, criticizing the Buffaloes’ aggressive use of the transfer portal. Rhule addressed that tension from last season, acknowledging that the exchange of words may have gone too far.

“I don’t take anything (personally),” Rhule said Monday, via Husker247. “Everybody’s got their own things to do. I’ve got love in my heart and a lot of respect for what they’re doing. Nothing will bother me. At the end of the day, if Shedeur felt like I disrespected his father, he’s standing up for him. Good for him. My son would stand up for me. I’ve got a bunch of players in there, they’ll show up on Saturday.”

Both Colorado and Nebraska enter the Week 2 matchup coming off wins in their respective season openers. The Buffaloes got past FCS powerhouse North Dakota State, 31-26, while the Huskers dominated UTEP, 40-7, after taking control in the final three quarters.

The Buffaloes staved off an embarrassing collapse in the closing minutes, with the Bison falling just five yards short on a last-second Hail Mary attempt. After the game, Deion Sanders expressed mixed feelings about the victory, but had a pointed message for doubters — or those hoping for a loss.

“We’re not for looks, man. The ‘W’ or the ‘L,’ that’s what you remember,” Sanders said, via BuffStampede. “You guys can pick it apart all you want, but you’re here for the ‘W’ or the ‘L.’ Some of you are upset that we got the ‘W,’ some of you are really mad that we didn’t get the ‘L.’ So, God bless you all. You’ll have to wait again until next week.”

Quarterbacks will be in the spotlight Saturday after Shedeur Sanders led the FBS with 445 passing yards and four touchdowns for Colorado. Meanwhile, Nebraska’s five-star true freshman Dylan Raiola impressed in his debut, completing 19 of 27 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns, with the offense also racking up 223 rushing yards.

“I look for them to be physically tough, imposing, try to run the football,” Deion Sanders said. “They have a freshman quarterback that had a pretty good day last week, but we got to do what we do. We got to go in there and do what we’re capable of doing.”

Raiola was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for his performance in his first collegiate start, the conference announced Monday. 

Raiola is the second Husker true freshman to start a season opener since World War II. He guided the Huskers to touchdowns on five of his eight series against the Miners, and played just one drive in the second half.  Raiola threw both of his touchdown passes in the second quarter; Nebraska’s 23 second-quarter points was its highest total since 2018. In all, Raiola threw for 192 yards in the first half. As a team, the Huskers threw for 284 yards, their highest single-game total since 2022.

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Colorado owns a three-game win streak against Nebraska. Kickoff inside Memorial Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. on NBC. 

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