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Colorado came away with a thrilling 27-24 win over Arizona State on Saturday thanks to a game-winning field goal from Alejandro Mata. After the kick, Deion Sanders pushed his kicker back onto the field to do a little celebration dance.
Mata subsequently hopped off the sidelines and performed his jig while players and coaches cheered him on.
It was the moment of the season for Mata thus far though it’s not the first close call the Buffs have had this year. Colorado beat Colorado State in overtime earlier this season, though that game-winning play came on a touchdown.
It was the special teams unit offering the heroics on Saturday with Mata leading the charge. As the final moments ticked from regulation, the kicker drilled a 43-yard field goal to put his team on top.
It was actually Mata’s second made kick of the fourth quarter as he scored the final six points in the Buffs’ win.
When that field goal sailed through the uprights, Colorado players erupted. After the result was final, Shedeur Sanders made his way to the ASU students’ section to flex his watch in their faces.
Shedeur went straight to the Arizona State student section after Colorado’s win to throw up his watch pic.twitter.com/WIiSrLB4cT
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) October 8, 2023
The patented move has been seen a number of times throughout the year, first going viral in a Week 2 meeting with Nebraska.
But viewers got to see a new celebration, too. This one, from the hero himself.
Mata turned to the sidelines in excitement after his made field goal, arms spread wide open towards his teammates. That wasn’t enough for his head coach. Deion Sanders pushed his kicker back onto the field, directing him to enjoy the moment even further.
Deion Sanders telling his kicker to dance got me crying pic.twitter.com/jDNc2A18sV
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) October 8, 2023
Fans were split on the reaction.
“Good vibes all around,” one follower said.
“This team is the biggest gimmick,” replied another.
Coach Prime and his players certainly enjoyed the win on the field, though he was quick to criticize his team’s play in his postgame press conference. Sanders said his team played “like hot garbage” while addressing the media.
Still, a win is a win, and Colorado is now 4-2 on the season.