Shedeur Sanders hasn’t been at Colorado very long, but he’s already made a significant impact on the program.
Statistically, the junior quarterback is breaking records. But he’s also impressed the fans with his toughness and grit, battling through injuries to continue to lead the team. For that, he is the recipient of the 2023 Buffalo Heart Award, created by CU fans Pat Grimes, Craig Augustin and Ashley and Thaddeus Cernac in 1998.
“Initially, I didn’t really know what it was but then when the gentleman explained it to me, it definitely fit the description,” Sanders said after Saturday’s 34-31 loss to No. 23 Arizona at Folsom Field in the home finale. “It definitely fit me, so I’m glad I was elected to receive that award. It means a lot that they understand what I’m going through day to day, what I’m pushing through mentally, physically, emotionally. So, I’m just very proud they were able to see that too.
“But they ain’t ever got to worry about me letting them down. I’m gonna always be there for them.”
Sanders is fifth quarterback to win the award, joining Mike Moschetti (1999), Joel Klatt (2005), Cody Hawkins (2010) and Sefo Liufau (2016).
Throughout the season, especially the second half of the year, Sanders has battled injuries. He’s the most sacked quarterback in the country, yet fought through it to throw for 262 yards and two touchdowns and run for another score on Saturday.
“I did the proper things during the week to make sure it wouldn’t be a factor,” he said of his pain. “Mentally when you’re going through injuries, you’ve got to mentally prepare yourself all week. No matter what, itap gonna hurt. So going into that knowing the worst of the worst pain, you felt that already, so now it is what it is.”
On Saturday, Sanders surpassed 3,000 yards for the season, just the third player in CU history to reach that milestone. He has 3,144 on the season, just behind Sefo Liufau (3,200 in 2014) and Koy Detmer (3,156 in 1996).
“Thatap expectation,” he said of reaching that number. “It don’t feel like nothing. I did it every year I was in college, 3,000 yards. So this proves you could come from anywhere and go to a different division, go play on a different level and a different stage and be able to do it. So thatap it.
“I really feel like it should be inspiration towards other FCS players knowing all it takes is you just having an opportunity to do it on a bigger stage. You’re gonna be able to keep doing the same thing you was doing at the FCS level.”
A transfer from Jackson State, Sanders also topped the 10,000-yard mark for his career. He now has 10,127 in his three collegiate seasons.
Buffalo Heart Award Winners
1998: Darrin Chiaverini, WR
1999: Mike Moschetti, QB
2000: Eric McCready, WR
2001: Cortlen Johnson, RB
2002: Tyler Brayton, DT
2003: Medford Moorer, FS
2004: Bobby Purify, RB
2005: Joel Klatt, QB
2006: Thaddaeus Washington, LB
2007: Jordon Dizon, LB
2008: Ryan Walters, FS
2009: Cha’pelle Brown, CB
2010: Cody Hawkins, QB
2011: Rodney Stewart, RB
2012: Will Pericak, DE
2013: Parker Orms, S
2014: Greg Henderson, CB
2015: Nelson Spruce, WR
2016: Sefo Liufau, QB
2017: Phillip Lindsay, RB
2018: Rick Gamboa, LB
2019: Tim Lynott Jr., OL
2020: Nate Landman, LB
2021: Nate Landman, LB
2022: Brady Russell, TE
2023: Shedeur Sanders, QB
