Shedeur Sanders Goes Deep vs. No. 99 Oklahoma State

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders closed out his team’s regular season schedule against No. 99 ranked Oklahoma State (CBS Sports) going 34 of 41 for 438 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception.

That’s all fine and dandy from a fan’s perspective, but that’s not how I study the film. I watch these games through what I call, “NFL colored glasses.” In other words, how does what I’m watching translate to the NFL?

WATCH THE GAME HERE

The first quarter looked similar to other first quarters have looked like for Sanders this season.

Conservative.

Passes were short-range and thrown into safe established throwing widows with additional yardage sometimes being picked up after the catch (YAC). Running plays were sprinkled in here and there. Sanders also took what the defense would give him on the ground when nothing was open.

The Colorado quarterback added a 10-yard touchdown pass in the back corner of the end zone to an open receiver, LaJohntay Wester, after scrambling around and buying extra time.

On Colorado’s last drive of the opening fifteen minutes, Sanders held the ball waiting to throw until receiver Travis Hunter had made his break on the route for another 11-yard touchdown pass.

Colorado 21 Oklahoma State 0

Second quarter

The flood gates opened as Sanders launched four passes 20+ yards.

First, he threw a deep rope to Hunter, but he couldn’t hold on and that brought out the punt team. The thing I liked about that pass is it demonstrated Sanders’ raw arm strength as he put the ball where only Hunter had a chance to get it in a crowd of defenders.

Sanders came back on a later drive, and with pressure in his face, he delivered a shot down the right side of the field. This time he hit his receiver, Isaiah Hardge, who caught the pass in stride for a 39-yard gain. This set Colorado up at Oklahoma State’s nine-yard line.

Then what happened?

The defense got to Sanders the next three plays.

• Sack
• Sack
• Sack

This knocked the Buffaloes back to the 37-yard line. Sanders responded to the sacks by taking another deep shot to Hunter on fourth down, but his pass was slightly overthrown.

However, that didn’t deter him from tying again.

With pressure in his face, right before the half, Sanders completed a 27-yard pass to receiver Will Sheppard.

Second half

Sanders picked up where he left off by adding a 69-yard pass to Wester, which was mostly YAC. The pass literally traveled six yards and Wester did the rest.

Colorado 28 Oklahoma State 0

A couple runs and short passes later, Sanders rolled right from Oklahoma State’s eight-yard line throwing a zinger for a touchdown across his body into Hunter’s waiting arms. The defensive back covering Hunter slipped.

Colorado 35 Oklahoma State 0

The Buffaloes tackled on a field goal before Sanders found Wester again down the right sideline for 33-yards. However, that drive ended with a Sanders’ interception. Colorado then answered with a defensive touchdown.

Colorado 45 Oklahoma State 0

Sanders fired a 23-yard touchdown to Hunter with pressure closing on his right side as he released.

Colorado 52 Oklahoma State 0

NFL take away

This was the best I’ve seen Sanders look throwing deep passes during his two years at Colorado. I believe this was because the Buffaloes were in command of the game from start to finish and he felt more confident throwing the football.

Outside of that, Sanders was inconsistent going through his progressions, he held the ball too long at times and tended to pat the ball before delivery. He also failed to throw with anticipation in the short to intermediate route range (0-19 yards). He wanted the sure thing. One more pass breakup can be added to his total as well. His overall ball placement in this game was decent. Not great. Decent.

The other positives were Sanders’ toughness, poise, and arm strength he flashed. I also liked what I call his ‘behind the line of scrimmage mobility,’ despite absorbing a total of six sacks in this game.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.