Deion Sanders Explains Emotional Reunion in Colorado's Loss vs. West Virginia

The Colorado Buffaloes fell to the West Virginia Mountaineers in a close 29-22 Big 12 matchup. This dropped Colorado’s record on the season to 3-7, making them ineligible for a bowl game.

Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders revealed to reporters after the game that he was emotional when he saw one of the coaches on the West Virginia staff.

Noel Divine, Deion Sanders Relationship

Deion Sanders Noel Divine Colorado Buffaloes West Virginia Mountaineers Big 12 Bowl Game Coach Prime Quarterback Julian Lewis — Nov 8, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders watches the big screen during a replay during the first quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images | Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Noel Divine is currently an offensive analyst and assistant running backs coach for West Virginia. Prior to this, Divine was a running back for the Mountaineers from 2007 through 2010. He totaled 4,315 rushing yards and 31 total touchdowns in his time there. He made first-team All-Big East in 2009 was inducted into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2021.

What made Divine being on the West Virginia sidelines against Colorado so emotional for “Coach Prime” was that the two have had a relationship since Divine was just a kid. He mentored Divine during this time and nearly adopted him.

Noel Devine and Deion Sanders reunited 🔥 pic.twitter.com/HncEhFnp3X
— The Voice of Morgantown (@voicemorgantown) November 9, 2025

“He brought tears to my eyes. I love him like a son,” Sanders said. “I’m so proud of him for where he is now from once he came. I knew him as a kid and now I know him as a father and a darn good father and a darn good coach.

“That shows that you can’t write a kid off, man,” Sanders said. “You got to love them, give them time, give them respect.”

WATCH: Colorado coach Deion Sanders talk about WVU great running back Noel Devine and seeing him today. Sanders helped develop Devine years ago.

Sanders: “He brought tears to my eyes. I love him like a son.” (🎥:@CUBuffs) pic.twitter.com/IKix0IyPKD
— Spencer Ripchik (@RipchikSpencer) November 9, 2025

After Divine’s college career wrapped up, he bounced around a few different professional teams across multiple leagues; the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad, Omaha Nighthawks, Montreal Alouettes, Edmonton Eskimos, and West Virginia Roughriders.

MORE: What Colorado Quarterback Julian Lewis Said After Impressing In First College Start

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MORE: What Deion Sanders Said After Colorado Buffaloes' Loss to West Virginia

Buffaloes Fall to 3-7, Miss Bowl Game

In the game itself, Colorado came up short. The Buffaloes fought back after going down 16-3 in the first half but it was not enough to pull out the road win in Morgantown. With the loss, Colorado is 3-7 overall and 1-6 in Big 12 play.

They will finish below .500 this season, meaning there will not be a bowl game for this team. It’s disappointing considering just last season the Buffaloes went 9-3 in the regular season and made an appearance in the Alamo Bowl.

A big reason for the drop off this season is clearly the changes at the quarterback position. In 2023 and 2024, Shedeur Sanders was Colorado’s starting quarterback. Sanders is now in the NFL.

The Buffaloes gave the starting nod to freshman for his first start as a Buffalo against West Virginia. Lewis went 22/35 passing for 299 yards and two touchdowns. It was a promising start for the highly recruited Lewis. Colorado's next game is on Nov. 22 against the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Despite not being bowl eligible, Colorado will try to end the season on a high note and finish 5-7.