While Colorado’s coordinators Brennan Marion and Chris Marve joined the school's Director of Athletics, Fernando Lovo, in receiving the game balls after beating Georgia Tech to open the season, plenty of players deserved the honor.
The Buffaloes’ defensive line kept opposing running back Justice Haynes and the Yellow Jackets’ rushing attack quiet, allowing just 51 yards on the ground. On the flip side, CU’s running backs ran for 183 yards and a touchdown, with Damian Henderson II, Micah Welch and JaQuail Smith posting over 40 yards each.
Sure, the passing game was quiet for most of the evening, and the special teams were the only reason Colorado trailed. Yet, quarterback Julian Lewis delivered a 20-yard touchdown to tight end Charlie Williams to give CU a one-point lead in the final minute before defensive back Boo Carter stuffed a 45-yard field goal attempt as time expired.
“We were resilient,” head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders said after the 14-13 win. “We didn't give up, and just how it all played out in the end. I mean, a couple special teams blunders, but then we come out strong on special teams to make it happen.”
Naturally, the Big 12 recognized multiple Buffs and the entire defensive line for their Week 1 performances.
Defensive lineman Lamont Lester Jr., fresh off a First-Team All-CAA season, posted five tackles (3.5 for loss) and three sacks against Georgia Tech, helping keep the Yellow Jackets out of the end zone. Lester was named Co-Defensive Big 12 Player of the Week alongside Iowa State defensive end Isaac Terrell (3.0 sacks, forced fumble, QB hurry).
Beyond Lester, DL Dylan Manuel (two tackles, one TFL), DE Toby Anene (five tackles, one TFL, two QBHs), DL Santana Hopper (one tackle, 0.5 TFL) and DL Samu Taumanupepe (one tackle) helped limit GT’s rushing attack and posted 11 QB pressures. The unit earned Big 12 Defensive Line of the Week honors.
“That's why we got [Lester],” Sanders said. “Just because a guy played at a school, you don't give him the credit that he deserves because he’s at a smaller school. But football is football to me. I don't give a darn who's out there on the other side. Football's football. You could watch film and say, ‘that guy can play.’ I don't care who he's playing against. I don't care if it's the SEC, ACC or what C.”
CU’s impressive rushing attack stood little chance against the performances of Arizona State QB Cutter Boley (21-of-27 passing for 387 passing yards and six TDs in a 70-7 win over Morgan State) and West Virginia RB Cam Cook (30 carries for 142 yards and two TDs in a 31-24 win over Coastal Carolina) for the conference’s Offensive Player of the Week honors. Cincinnati won Big 12 Offensive Line of the Week for allowing 254 Bearcats’ rushing yards on 46 attempts in a 34-15 win over Boston College.
Yet, Carter’s game-winning field goal block made up for the Black-and-Gold’s poor special teams play, earning him Co-Special Teams Big 12 Player of the Week. BYU DB Cannon DeVries also earned the honor, returning a kickoff 100 yards for a TD and adding 73 punt return yards in two returns.
“I timed it pretty good,” Carter said of the block. “We practiced on it. My coach gave me a little method on how to perfectly jump it, so I just get out fast and just do the rest – just dive.”
Colorado is set to play their home opener against 1-1 Weber State (1:30 p.m. MT on ESPN+) on Saturday.
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