Colorado is confronting internal challenges as it prepares for its Big 12 opener against Baylor on Saturday. After a 41-7 loss at Northwestern last weekend, head coach Deion Sanders took decisive action by dismissing multiple players, emphasizing that the moves were driven by behavior that harmed team unity rather than on‑field performance.
Coach Sanders explains the dismissals
Speaking to reporters, Sanders said, “I’m the most loving and giving and forgiving man you could ever meet, but when conduct becomes detrimental to the team, it sets us back. When players put themselves before the team, I have a problem with that.” He added that the dismissals were not a broad team decision but targeted at a few individuals he described as “knuckleheads” whose attitudes threatened to poison the locker‑room culture.
Safety Ben Finneseth apologizes for stadium comments
In a related incident, Colorado safety Ben Finneseth issued a public apology for his remarks about Northwestern’s temporary stadium on Lake Michigan. In a video that circulated, Finneseth called the venue “f—ing sucks” and said it “sounds like a library.” At a press conference alongside Coach Sanders, Finneseth called his comments “childish” and “stupid,” promising that such language would not be repeated and that he would conduct himself more maturely moving forward.
Team outlook heading into Big 12 play
The Buffaloes enter conference play with a 2‑1 record, having secured victories over Georgia Tech and Weber State before the heavy loss to Northwestern. The roster changes and disciplinary actions are intended to reinforce a culture of accountability and focus as the team faces a challenging schedule.
Colorado’s upcoming game against Baylor marks the first Big 12 matchup of the season. Fans and alumni will be watching closely to see how the team responds to the recent setbacks and whether the disciplinary measures translate into improved performance on the field.
Coach Sanders remains confident that the remaining players understand the expectations and are committed to the program’s values. “We’re moving forward with a group that believes in each other and the mission of this team,” he said. “We’ll see how we perform on Saturday, and we’re ready to compete.”
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
