After suffering a sixth loss in the past seven games, Deion Sanders lamented "this is not how it's supposed to be" for his Colorado program but said he is not concerned that he is coaching for his job over the final three games of the season.
Arizona State raced out to a 17-0 halftime lead over Colorado on Saturday before hanging on for a 20-10 victory. The Buffaloes (3-6, 1-5 Big 12) are on the brink of a third losing season in Sanders' four years as coach.
Asked after the game if he felt like his job was on the line, Sanders told reporters: "I don't think about that, man. I'm not here for my job. I'm here for these young men. I'm not, I'm not built like that. Like, like, I'm really not. I'm really, really, really not.
"Like, I want these kids to graduate, to provoke change in their communities and their lives and their families. I ain't worried about me. I'm good, my brother."
Colorado athletic director Fernando Lovo was in attendance for the news conference.
The Buffaloes did little right in a stuck-in-the sand first half, managing 103 total yards, with 62 of those in the final 45 seconds. They didn't have a first down until the seven-minute mark of the second quarter, and that drive ended when Isaac Wilson took a 24-yard sack on fourth-and-6 from Arizona State's 34-yard line. Their one big play, a 74-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Ernest Campbell, was wiped out by an illegal man downfield penalty.
"This is not how it's supposed to be, and we could apologize a thousand times to the fanbase, to you all," Sanders said of the loss. "But unless we get it together, it's gonna be the same ol', same ol'. And that's pathetic because ... the fanbase deserves better."
The Buffaloes came to life after a lackluster first half, shutting down Arizona State while finding a rhythm on offense.
Colorado cut Arizona State's lead to 20-10 on a field goal and Wilson's 7-yard touchdown pass to Joseph Williams. The Buffaloes' hopes ended with a failed fourth-and-15 near midfield with 2:43 left.
"Didn't see quit, didn't see anybody being lethargic, didn't see them giving up by any means, but it was way too late," Sanders said. "I wish we had started off like that instead of end up like that."
During the win, Jake Fette became the first Arizona State quarterback in 30 years to throw and catch a touchdown pass in the same game.
Colorado faces No. 17 Houston on Friday needing to win its last three games to become bowl-eligible, though Sanders wasn't expressing much optimism for a late-season run.
"The season doesn't look good," Sanders said. "It doesn't look good. I'm not crazy. I can see clearly. You think I'm happy? I'm not happy with the outcomes. I'm not a loser by any means, and I hate the fact that we're coming up on the short end of these games."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.