Deion Takes New Approach Before Husker Game, Praises Rhule

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders has tempered expectations for this week’s upcoming game against Nebraska, emphasizing that the match will not be defined as “personal.” Instead, he extended his admiration for Nebraska’s coach, Matt Rhule, highlighting the mutual respect shared among coaches in their field.

“I have a ton of respect for Matt Rhule,” Sanders remarked. “He’s in — I call it our class of coaches. We all took on a tremendous test last year along with [Arizona State] Coach [Kenny] Dillingham and several others. I feel like we’re a fraternity. So, I root for that class of head coaches that came in that year.”

This approach contrasts sharply with Sanders’ stance before last year’s Nebraska game, where he famously declared, “This is personal. That’s the message of the week: This is personal.”

In last season’s encounter, Colorado emerged victorious, overpowering Nebraska with a score of 36-14. Following the game, quarterback Shedeur Sanders voiced his discontent regarding the pregame antics of Rhule and certain Nebraska players, who were seen standing on the Buffalo logo at midfield.

Shedeur Sanders also expressed that he felt Rhule had been disrespectful during the offseason with comments regarding media attention, which he perceived as a slight against Colorado. “The coach said a lot of things about my pops, about the program, but now that he wants to act nice — I don’t respect that because you’re hating on another man, you shouldn’t do that,” he stated. “It was just, all respect was gone for them and their program.”

“I like playing against their DC, I like playing against them, but the respect level, it ain’t there ’cause you disrespected us first,” he added, reflecting on the tension from the previous season.

After both teams struggled through last season with losing records, the heated rivalry appears to have cooled. Coach Sanders praised Rhule’s efforts, stating, “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.”

Looking ahead, Colorado began their season on a positive note, defeating North Dakota State 31-26 in their opener last week. Nebraska also started strong with a decisive 40-7 victory against UTEP.

This year’s matchup, defined by a more sportsmanlike tone, may signal a shift in the rivalry. Both teams are eager to prove themselves, but they seem to be approaching the game with a newfound respect for one another. As the coaches prepare their teams, the focus will be on performance rather than the personal narratives of the past.

With both squads energized from their opening victories and looking to build momentum, fans anticipate a competitive showdown that goes beyond previous tensions.