Do you believe now?
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders asked reporters after the Buffaloes’ 45-42 win over then-No. 17 TCU on Saturday and reminded them that he has receipts from doubters.
The belief is strong in Boulder. The belief in college football is just as strong as nearly every team was in action to get the season underway.
Here are some noteworthy quotes as focus turns from Week 1 to Week 2.
Chip Kelly, UCLA
The new clock rules are taking some time to adjust for everybody.
UCLA head coach Chip Kelly had some thoughts on the new clock rules, which allow for the clock to continue running after first downs this season.
“This new rule is, it’s crazy,” Kelly said. “We had four drives in the first half. This game goes fast. Hope you guys are selling a lot of commercials.”
The Bruins totaled 238 yards on their only four drives of the first half. Coastal Carolina had as many drives through the first four quarters as well, and both teams had seven drives in the second half.
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan
Harbaugh spent his season-opener at the home of offensive line coach and offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore as he served the first of a self-imposed three-game suspension to start the season.
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy and the Wolverines got the job done and tipped their caps in ode to Harbaugh early in the game against East Carolina. McCarthy threw 280 yards and three touchdowns while Michigan had 402 yards of offense and held the Pirates to 235.
Harbaugh won’t return to the sidelines this week, and when asked about the responsibilities of a head coach during a game, he introduced a new version of both offense and defense.
“Be the guardian of victory is probably the No. 1 job you have,” Harbaugh said. “Making sure that the decisions you’re making are complimentary on all three phases. There’s no offense, there’s no defense. It’s a we-fense. And making sure that putting the players in the position to have their hard work achieved.”
Mike Norvell, Florida State
The Seminoles claimed the first top-10 victory of the season in a showdown against then-No. 5 LSU on Sunday night.
Head coach Mike Norvell and quarterback Jordan Travis made an early statement in their 45-24 win over the Tigers. Florida State won in its fourth top-10 season-opener and remained unbeaten in Orlando.
Norvell said Sunday’s game had “a championship-type feel to it,” and Travis was among the leading Seminoles. Travis threw for 342 yards and four touchdowns against fellow Heisman Trophy hopeful Jayden Daniels, who finished with 347 passing yards and two touchdowns.
“That was one game. That was our first step, and it was a big step, right?” Norvell said. “You get a chance to be on this stage, you want to go play well. And I don’t think we played our best game, but I thought that second half we were able to really finish the way that we wanted to, and I’m just, I’m proud of them for the way that they continued to battle the way, they showed their resilience, and just who they are.”
