DENVER (AP) — Colorado and coach Deion Sanders rewarded defensive coordinator Robert Livingston with a new two-year deal that makes him the highest-paid assistant in program history.

Livingston also ranks among the highest-paid assistant coaches in the Big 12 Conference. He will earn $1.5 million next season and $1.6 million in 2026. The deal was recently approved by the university's board of regents.

In Livingston's first season, and with Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter playing cornerback, the Buffaloes significantly shored up that side of the ball and held opponents to 23.1 points per game. It was a dramatic improvement from the season before when the Buffaloes, who were members of the Pac-12, surrendered 34.8 points a game.

“Robert Livingston is a top-caliber coach, and this new contract illustrates the investment Colorado athletics is making to ensure our program remains among the nation’s best,” athletic director Rick George said in a statement Friday. “I’m thrilled that Coach Livingston will continue to mentor our student-athletes for years to come.”

Livingston arrived in Boulder from the Cincinnati Bengals, where he spent eight seasons on the coaching staff. Last year, Livingston's defense ranked first in the league in sacks (39) and fumbles recovered (12). The Buffaloes were also tied for third in interceptions (15).

Sanders has been busy putting the finishing touches on his coaching staff. On Thursday night, he brought in fellow Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk to coach the running backs. Faulk will try to bolster a Colorado rushing attack that averaged 65.2 yards per game in 2024, which was among the lowest figures in the country.

“Coach Prime and I have worked extensively to build on the incredible momentum that has been created with our football program over the last two years,” said George, who saw the Buffaloes finish 9-4 last season and earn an invitation to the Alamo Bowl.

Necas scores tiebreaking goal in 3rd period as Avalanche beat Oilers 5-4

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Martin Necas scored the tiebreaking goal late in the third period, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 on Friday night.

Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and three assists, Cale Makar had two goals and an assist, and Artturi Lehkonen also scored to hel the Avalanche win for the fourth time in five games. Mackenzie Blackwood had 23 saves.

Leon Draisaitl and Corey Perry each had two goals for the Oilers, who snapped a two-game win streak. Stuart Skinner started and gave up three goals on 12 shots in the first period. Calvin Pickard came on to start the second period and had 17 saves the rest of the way.

The two teams combined for four goals in a 2:34 span midway through the first period. Lehkonen then gave the Avalanche the lead with 1:52 to go in the period.

Makar had a short-handed goal at 6:39 of the second for a 4-2 lead, but Perry got the Oilers back within one with a power-play goal 1:09 later and Draisaitl tied it with 4:01 left in the period.

Takeaways

Avalanche: Makar leads all NHL defensemen in goals (22) and points (63) and is on pace for career years in both.

Oilers: Perry has six goals in his last nine games. The 39-year-old veteran has 12 goals in 54 games this season, equaling the 12 goals in 54 games he had last season with Chicago and Edmonton.

Key moment

Colorado took a 5-4 lead with 4:22 left as Pickard made a big stop on MacKinnon, but he tracked down his own rebound and sent it across to Necas, who snapped home his 20th of the season.

Key stat

Draisaitl scored his league-leading 40th goal of the season, becoming the fourth active player in the NHL to have at least six seasons with 40 goals. He is third in Oilers franchise history with the six 40-goal campaigns, behind Wayne Gretzky (nine) and Jari Kurri (seven).

Up Next

Both teams are off for the 4 Nations Face-off break. Avalanche visit Nashville on Feb. 22, and Oilers play at Philadelphia.