Deion Sanders led his Colorado football program to a noteworthy milestone on Saturday.
The Buffaloes improved to 6-2 with a 34-23 victory over Cincinnati. The win secured Colorado’s first bowl game in four years, a significant feat for a team that went 1-11 in 2022 before Coach Prime took the reins.
Saturday’s triumph also unlocked some financial incentives for Sanders. According to USA Today‘s Steve Berkowitz, the head coach will earn $300,000 in bonuses because of the triumph.
Sanders will receive $150,000 for Colorado’s sixth victory, and he’ll get $150,000 more when the Buffaloes make the bowl or postseason appearance.
Coach Prime could earn more incentives during the second season of a five-year contract worth up to $29.5 million. He’ll receive another $100,000 for each ensuing win.
The Buffaloes trail the undefeated BYU and Iowa State in the Big 12 standings and are on the losing end of a head-to-head tiebreaker with Kansas State. However, Sanders would net $75,000 if Colorado plays in the conference championship game and an additional $150,000 if his team wins.
After going 4-8 in his inaugural season, Sanders led Colorado to its fourth Big 12 win on Saturday. Sheduer Sanders accrued 323 passing yards and two touchdowns, and Travis Hunter excelled on both sides with 153 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and four pass breakups.
Coach Prime called it “cute” that Colorado clinched a bowl game, but he’s setting his goals higher.
“We really want that, but that’s not all we’re after,” Sanders said after the game, per ESPN’s Max Olson. “That’s one of the hurdles that we’re jumping over and going over.
“That’s a tremendous hurdle that we’re happy, we’re excited, but that’s not the end goal for us. That’s the beginning, but we are thankful and appreciative that the hard work is going noticed.”
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