Deion Sanders says Colorado's season is not what it should be, but insists he is not worried about his job

Deion Sanders made clear Saturday night that Colorado's season has fallen far short of his expectations, but the Buffaloes coach said he is not worried that he is coaching for his job over the final three games of the year.

Arizona State built a 17-0 halftime lead and held on for a 20-10 victory over Colorado, handing the Buffaloes their sixth loss in the past seven games. At 3-6 overall and 1-5 in Big 12 play, Colorado is on the brink of a third losing season in Sanders' four years as coach.

Asked after the game whether he felt 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 built like that. Like, I'm 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," Sanders added. Colorado athletic director Fernando Lovo was in attendance for the news conference.

The Buffaloes did little right in a stagnant first half, managing 103 total yards, 62 of which came in the final 45 seconds. Colorado did not record a first down until the seven-minute mark of the second quarter, and that possession ended when quarterback Isaac Wilson took a 24-yard sack on fourth-and-6 from Arizona State's 34-yard line. The Buffaloes' lone big play, a 74-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Ernest Campbell, was erased 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."

Colorado came to life after halftime, shutting down the Sun Devils while finding a rhythm on offense. The Buffaloes trimmed the deficit to 20-10 on a field goal and Wilson's 7-yard touchdown pass to Joseph Williams, but their comeback hopes ended on a failed fourth-and-15 near midfield with 2:43 remaining.

"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."

For Arizona State, quarterback Jake Fette became the program's first quarterback in 30 years to throw and catch a touchdown pass in the same game.

Colorado hosts No. 17 Houston on Friday and must win its final three games to become bowl eligible, though Sanders expressed little optimism about a late-season run. "The season doesn't look good," he said. "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."