SAN ANTONIO >> Colorado head coach Deion Sanders knew the question was coming on Friday when he and his counterpart at BYU, Kalani Sitake, held a news conference on the eve of the Valero Alamo Bowl.

Will there be a moment …

“Yes,” Sanders said, cutting off the question.

Yeah, it’s been an emotional time for Coach Prime, knowing Saturday’s Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome would be the last time he coaches his sons, senior quarterback Shedeur and senior safety Shilo.

“Yes, but don’t forget Travis (Hunter), and don’t forget the multitude of seniors that we have, because I love them all to life,” he said. “But yes, that will be … I’ve been trying to shy away from that moment because I know the last home game (on Nov. 29 against Oklahoma State), it was the last home game, it wasn’t the last game, but this is it.

“It’s going to be something to behold. I don’t know how I’m going to handle it. I know Travis is going to trigger me. I know he is because he always does, and he’s going to bring tears out my eyes. I don’t look forward to it, but I do, because that means they’re going to another level, another chapter of life, and they’re going to soar. I’m thankful that I feel as though we’ve equipped them with all the tools necessary to be successful.”

For Coach Prime and Sitake, the last game with the seniors is always emotional, but this one has some special meaning for both because of all they’ve been through with their groups.

CU’s seniors are led by Shedeur and Shilo, who Coach Prime has coached since their youth days. Hunter is a junior, but the Heisman Trophy winner is heading off to the NFL Draft and has been like a son to Coach Prime.

The group also includes safety Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig, who Prime has coached since high school; Jimmy Horn Jr., who has leaned on his coach on and off the field; defensive lineman Chidozie Nwankwo, and more.

Several of CU’s staff members have been along for the ride with Coach Prime since the days of youth football, and the Alamo Bowl is certainly the end of an era.

“We started this thing, ironically, in Texas, in the ‘hood, a multitude of years ago, and it has gone and gone and gone,” he said. “I mean, it’s a tremendous calling that God placed in my life to be around these kids and raise these kids to such a level as this. And when you think about your steps being ordered, I’m thankful. I’m thankful that (CU athletic director Rick George) gave me the opportunity, because we wouldn’t have had a Heisman Trophy winner, we wouldn’t have had a guy that’s (destined) to be in the first and second pick of the whole draft with several other guys definitely gonna get drafted. It wouldn’t happened here if I wouldn’t accepted that calling so I’m thankful for the opportunities afforded to me. I’m thankful just to be here, period.” While Coach Prime and the Buffs were focused on winning the game, he admitted, “This has been a journey that you can’t help but reflect on. Shoot, I was just (coaching) in high school a few years back. This is a blessing. So I don’t take any moment for granted.”

Sitake was reflective, too, with a group that helped BYU to three 10-win seasons in the past five years and through the transition to the Big 12 a year ago. “They’ve done a lot for our program; ushered us into the Big 12 from independence, you know,” he said. “So we’ve seen them do some historical things. I love them. I love this team and it’s interesting because we are fathers as coaches. We are fathers, and we are also fathers of this team. So the relationships and all that, it’s sad that it’s coming to an end. That’s why we want to perform our best and then see what happens.

“Regardless of the result, I know that it’s going to be a sad day anyways. For me and Coach Prime, we just want to live in the moment and enjoy it as much as much as we can.”