Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders implored his kicker Alejandro Mata to dance after scoring the game-winning field goal that helped the team defeat Arizona State 27-24 on Saturday.
Coach Prime ensured that Mata fully embraced and celebrated his heroic game-winning performance by incorporating a dance that quickly gained viral attention. Initially, the kicker reveled in the moment among his teammates. But with Sanders urging him to celebrate in true "Prime Time" fashion, Mata shared his celebratory pose on his personal social media profile, in collaboration with the university's football page, for a broader audience to enjoy.
"I wanted him to do his thing," Sanders said postgame. "Mata is Mata. Guys, you didn't believe in Mata. I believed in Mata. Why do you think I brought him here? Mata, don't miss." Arizona State had scored and tied the game with only 50 seconds left. The Sun Devils managed to go 95 yards after Colorado punted with 3:26 left in the game. They tied the game on a Trenton Bourguet touchdown pass to Troy Omeire.
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Then, in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, Colorado reached field goal range for Mata after quarterback Shedeur Sanders took a single play to connect with wide receiver Javon Antonio for 43 yards. Despite being unable to march down the field any further, the ample space put Mata in position to split the uprights.
ASU tried to ice Mata by calling a timeout before his first field goal attempt of the drive. But Mata maintained his composure and with confidence made the 43-yard field goal. "You can call a timeout and freeze him all you want," Deion Sanders said. "That don't mean nothing to Mata. That's who he is.
"That's what he always says to me when I walk over to him and give him a hug. He says, 'I don't miss,' and I love it, so I told him to do your thing. Do your thing. Get your shine on. It's your moment, baby. Live it."
Mata also left Jackson State University when Deion Sanders took the Colorado job. Mata only had two field goals entering Saturday and began the current season as the backup to Jace Feely. Due to Feely's struggles, Mata became the team's primary kicker against Arizona State.
He made both his field goal attempts — the other a 42-yarder — and all three extra-point attempts. At Jackson State in 2022, Mata participated in all 13 games as a true freshman. Throughout the season, his kicking prowess was evident as he made 12 out of 13 field goal attempts and 50 out of 51 extra-point conversions, accumulating 86 points.
His performance earned him recognition as a third-team FCS Freshman All-American and a second-team All-SWAC honoree. Notably, the only two kicks he missed during the season were blocked, highlighting the Georgia native's proficiency as a kicker.