Colorado football’s third season with Deion Sanders at the helm has been met with considerable headwinds. The Buffaloes have dropped four of their last five games and enter a Week 11 matchup with West Virginia with a 3-6 record.

Nevertheless, Sanders continues to have the support of one of the university’s key athletic decision-makers. Rick George, Colorado’s athletic director, expressed confidence in the job Coach Prime is doing. George’s only preference would be for the team to pick up more wins.

“I’m proud of Coach Prime. It’s been a tough year what he’s been through. He’s been a trooper, been working hard, motivating. He’s doing the things I want him to do as coach. We just gotta win more FB games,” George told reporters.

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George appeared to be referencing Sanders’ health battles, a closely followed topic leading up to the regular season. In July, Sanders announced doctors had removed his bladder after the discovery of a tumor. Sanders said there has been no evidence of cancer since the surgery.

DEION SANDERS REVEALS BIGGEST SURPRISE AT COLORADO’S HOME GAMES: ‘IT NEVER FAILS’

Doctors said a section of Sanders’ intestine was reconstructed to function as a bladder. Sanders faced questions about whether he’d be up for coaching after his health scare, but he remains steadfast in his commitment to Colorado.

Sanders was named head coach of the Colorado football program in December 2022. He took over a program that won just one game the previous season. Sanders, a charismatic NFL legend, immediately brought a spotlight to a program that had long been an afterthought.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders calls for a timeout in the first half of a game against TCU  Oct. 4, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

This season, Sanders has routinely faced opposing teams with a sizable talent advantage. Coach Prime hasn’t been as successful in recruiting lately. Last year, Colorado made the leap to the Big 12 Conference. The Buffaloes won nine games in 2024 but have struggled to find replacements for two-way player Travis Hunter or quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

Hunter was the second overall selection in April’s NFL Draft, while Shedeur was drafted in the fifth round.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders watches his players warm up before a game against Utah Oct. 25, 2025, in Salt Lake City, Utah.  (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)

Kaidon Salter transferred from Liberty to Colorado in the offseason, but his uneven performances have opened the door for fellow quarterback Julian Lewis and others to see playing time.

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Sanders barred players from speaking to the media after the Buffaloes’ 52-17 loss to Arizona last week. Saturday’s Colorado–West Virginia game is scheduled to kick off at noon ET at Milan Puskar Stadium.

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Kareem Kerai Academy (KKA), a professional football academy founded in 2022 to develop young talent, has achieved a historic milestone by securing the bronze medal in the competitive Under-16 category at the 15th annual Singa Cup 2025 in Singapore.

KKA, one of two teams representing Pakistan for the first time, stood out among top youth squads from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, India, Singapore and Hong Kong. 

Their impressive run finished with a thrilling 3rd-place playoff victory, where they defeated Indonesia’s Tapteng Sibolga Student Football Team 4-3 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.

Competing in Group A, KKA quickly bounced back from an early loss to the professional side Semen Padang FC (Indonesia). They dominated their group stage opponents with key results, including a massive 12-0 win over Bhaichung Bhutia Football School (India) and a crucial 2-1 victory against Ocean Reef (Australia).

KKA’s knockout journey saw them beat Jurongville Secondary (Singapore) 2-0 in the Quarter-Finals, ultimately losing a tough Semi-Final to the eventual champions, Benjamarachanusorn (Thailand).

Further underscoring the team’s quality, star striker Muhammad Abdullah Iram earned the distinction of being the Joint Top Scorer of the U16 tournament with an impressive 7 goals.

The tournament was a major triumph for Pakistani youth football, as the other representative, Lyari Football Academy, finished as the Runners-Up in the U16 final, narrowly losing 1-2 to Benjamarachanusorn. The combined second and third-place finishes cemented Pakistan’s strong presence on the international youth stage.

“This bronze medal is a testament to the dedication of our players and the academy’s commitment to providing international exposure and developing young talent in Karachi,” said Kareem, Founder of Kareem Kerai Academy. “

KKA’s achievement is an inspiring story for local young athletes, highlighting the vital role private academies play in developing footballers in the region.

Mia Hamant, a goalkeeper for Washington’s women’s soccer team who helped the Huskies reach the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament as a junior, has died. She was 21.

Hamant died Thursday from kidney cancer, the university said.

Hamant was one of the Big Ten’s best goalkeepers in 2024. She posted the third-lowest single-season goals against average in program history at 0.66. Hamant sat out her senior season due to her cancer diagnosis.

“Mia was the heart of our program — someone who lifted up everyone around her with her joy, courage, and kindness,” women’s soccer coach Nicole Van Dyke said in a statement.

“Even in the most difficult moments, she showed an unshakable spirit that inspired her teammates and coaches every single day. Mia made us all better people, and her impact will be felt in this program and in all of our lives forever.”

In April, Hamant was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer, and stepped away from the team to begin chemotherapy treatment. She received support across the Washington athletic department, including from Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston after their 42-25 victory over No. 23 Illinois on Oct. 25.

Hamant attended the game, and sounded the siren at Husky Stadium two weeks before her death.

We are heartbroken by the passing of Mia Hamant after her courageous battle with cancer. Mia inspired everyone around her with her strength and spirit. Our love is with her family, teammates, and all who knew her. Her legacy will forever live in Husky Athletics. 💜🐾 pic.twitter.com/cIwVQL27o3

— Washington Athletics (@UWAthletics) November 7, 2025

“Mia Hamant on our soccer team is going through tough, tough struggles with cancer,” Boston said after the game. “We’re just trying to be there to support her.”

The Big Ten honored Hamant with the 2025 Sportsmanship Award earlier this week.

“The University of Washington grieves the heartbreaking loss of Mia Hamant, whose strength, kindness, and spirit touched everyone around her,” athletic director Pat Chun said in a statement.

“Mia embodied everything we hope for in a Husky student-athlete — perseverance, grace, and an unwavering commitment to her teammates and community. Her remarkable courage through adversity and the legacy she leaves behind will forever inspire the UW family.”

Hamant is survived by her parents.