MANHATTAN, Kan. — A disappointing season ended the same way it started.

As Colorado trailed by three points with under 7 minutes to play on Saturday afternoon at Kansas State, Deion Sanders told his team this is where they usually let an opportunity slip away.

Just like they had multiple other times this season, that’s what the Buffaloes (3-9, 1-8 Big 12) did in a 24-14 loss to the Wildcats on Saturday afternoon at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

For the sixth time this season, CU lost a game that it was either leading or trailing by one score or less in the fourth quarter.

That, more than anything, defines Coach Prime’s third Buffs team, at least in his eyes.

“There’s a certain mentality you gotta have when that game is right there, and you could take it either way,” Sanders said. “When you take it this way all the time, that’s a problem, on both sides.”

As the worst season of his tenure officially concluded, Sanders vowed widespread changes during a long offseason that he says begins on Sunday in Boulder.

His message to his team after yet another defeat was simple: “We won’t be in this situation again, I promise you that.”

“This fan base, the school, Rick (George), everybody deserves much better than this and they expected much better than this,” Sanders added. “I expected much better than this and we’re gonna give them much better than this, starting (Sunday).”

There’s no one area worth pinpointing, either.

“I see everything being different, even me,” Coach Prime said. “Personnel, coaching, everything.”

To him, it starts with the football team’s mentality. It’s the biggest difference from last year’s team, which won nine games (many decided in the fourth quarter) and this year’s, which lost nine games (many decided late). He still won’t go so far as to directly blame the players, but Sanders got as close as he has all season.

“Personnel is mentality,” Sanders said. “I don’t want to give you guys that easy (a) go of it because you’ve gotta have someone to blame, so I’m blaming me. It’s us. We gotta do better.”

Coach Prime has hinted at it before, but that likely begins with overhauling a roster defined by a transfer portal class that didn’t contribute like in years past. 

It helps that there will be plenty of spots to fill with a few dozen veteran players out of eligibility, but it also goes beyond trying to find the most talented players available in what will likely be a hectic transfer portal window in early January.

“We need to make severe changes, and we’re gonna make ‘em,” Coach Prime said. “We gotta do a better job of getting these guys ready and preparing them and getting them knowledgeable to understand what’s happening and what’s coming and physically able to go get it. It helps with a bag, but it helps with having the right personnel on the sidelines, as well as playing the game.”

For the second time in three seasons, Sanders walked off the field following another loss on a frigid late November day and headed back to Boulder with no bowl game to look forward to. He’s aware of what the narrative is going to be after his first season without his sons, Shedeur and Shilo, as well as Travis Hunter, ended with his worst record as a college coach.

For now, he’s not throwing in the towel. He’s going back to work.

“You don’t have to go easy on me, I’m a big boy. I’ve been doing this for a long time. When I win, I don’t mind a clap. When I lose, I don’t mind a boo,” Sanders said. “I played this game and I know this game like the back of my hand and I love this game and all the ups and downs and ins and outs. 

“I’m built for every last bit of it, but if anybody’s built to reconcile and get this back on course, it’s me. I will do it if it’s the last thing I do on earth. Trust me when I tell you. This was the last supper.”