Deion Sanders addresses Cree Thomas' penalty problem in unique way

Colorado football coach Deion Sanders found a memorable way to address cornerback Cree Thomas and some of the penalty issues at practice this week.

Sanders mentioned that Thomas, who has struggled with penalties this season, wore mittens rather than gloves during Tuesday's workout as the Buffaloes work to reduce a penalty problem that has followed them through the season's first month.

"Today he had on mittens for gloves," Sanders said, referencing the series of penalties. "One more penalty, and I'm going to cut his darn hands off so he won't grab."

Colorado has been flagged 36 times for 329 yards through four games. The Buffaloes were penalized eight times for 82 yards in Saturday's 23-13 loss at Baylor, and Thomas was called for two defensive pass-interference penalties in Waco.

Thomas remains a key defender

Sanders made clear that the no-gloves rule at practice was a message for the penalty issues, not a punishment for removing Thomas from the field. Thomas has been Colorado's most physical cornerback and has limited completions when he presses receivers at the line of scrimmage.

"Cree doesn't get down on himself," Sanders said. "He gets more upset that he hurt us. But he's there. He hasn't given up many catches when he's bumping."

Thomas will see a major assignment Saturday when Colorado hosts No. 10 Texas Tech. The Red Raiders bring a deep passing game to Folsom Field, with experienced receivers Coy Eakin and Kenny Johnson providing targets for their quarterbacks.

A discipline test against Texas Tech

Colorado's defense needs Thomas to play aggressively but avoid the flags that extended Baylor's first touchdown drive. Texas Tech arrives at 4-0 and is favored by 13.5 points.

Sanders has already told the team that penalties will bring conditioning consequences. The mittens joke adds another layer to that message as the Buffaloes prepare for their toughest Big 12 home game.

Colorado hosts Texas Tech at 5:30 p.m. MT Saturday on Fox.

Follow James Carnes on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Deion Sanders addresses Cree Thomas' penalty problem in unique way