BOULDER, Colo. — Colorado quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis delivered another explosive performance Saturday, accounting for 435 total yards and four touchdown passes as the Buffaloes defeated Weber State in a game that featured big plays from both sides.
With temperatures hovering around 75 degrees under partly cloudy skies, conditions were ideal for football at Folsom Field.
Weber State received the opening kickoff, but its first possession ended in a three-and-out. Colorado needed only one play to make the Wildcats pay.
Lewis immediately went to work, connecting with DeAndre Moore Jr. on a 68-yard touchdown catch-and-run across the middle of the field. On Colorado’s third offensive play, Lewis struck again, finding Joseph Williams for a 63-yard touchdown after Williams broke a tackle.
Just like that, the Buffaloes had a 14-0 lead.
Weber State refused to fold.
Linebacker Teni Worthen forced a turnover with a sack and strip, giving the Wildcats a short field. Weber State converted the opportunity when quarterback Nate Dahle found Robert Young for a 13-yard touchdown pass.
Colorado quickly answered with two explosive scoring plays of its own.
Lewis connected with Ernest Campbell on a 48-yard touchdown pass before running back Micah Welch broke free for a 55-yard touchdown run, pushing the Buffaloes’ advantage to 28-7.
Weber State continued to generate big plays through the air. Noah Kajar came up with a 70-yard reception along the visiting sideline, setting up his own 6-yard touchdown catch to finish the drive.
But Lewis and the Colorado offense remained in control.
Williams caught another touchdown pass, this one covering 32 yards, giving Lewis his fourth touchdown pass of the first half. Lewis then finished the half himself, scoring on a 3-yard touchdown run.
Colorado entered halftime with a 42-14 advantage.
Lewis was nearly unstoppable through the air, completing 17 of 23 passes for 366 yards and four touchdowns. He also added 69 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground, giving him 435 total yards.
The Buffaloes’ offense produced the kind of explosive plays that allowed them to maintain control despite Weber State’s ability to create scoring opportunities.
Colorado Pulls Starters in Second Half
The pace slowed considerably after halftime as Colorado began rotating players and clearing the bench.
Kicker Elliot Arnold opened the second-half scoring with a 52-yard field goal, extending the Buffaloes’ lead.
Backup quarterback K. Sweetwyne then took over under center and led Colorado down the field before finishing the drive with a 9-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-1.
Weber State answered with one final scoring drive.
The Wildcats put together an eight-play possession that ended with Kajar finding the end zone for the second time. The touchdown was Kajar’s sixth of the season, giving him the FCS lead in that category.
Arnold had an opportunity to add another score for Colorado late in the game, but his 47-yard field-goal attempt missed.
That proved to be the final scoring play of the afternoon as Colorado secured the victory.
Sanders Wants More From Buffaloes
Despite the victory, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders was not satisfied with his team’s overall performance.
Sanders said the Buffaloes needed to be more productive and acknowledged that the team did not accomplish everything it set out to do.
Asked what Colorado needed to improve, Sanders offered a blunt assessment.
“Special teams, offense, defense, a little bit of everything.”
That sentiment carried into the postgame locker room, with linebacker Tyler Martinez and Lewis echoing their coach’s dissatisfaction with aspects of the performance despite the victory.
Key Performances
Colorado
Julian Lewis: 17-of-23 passing, 366 yards, four touchdowns.
Micah Welch: 11 carries, 106 yards, one touchdown.
Joseph Williams: Four receptions, 123 yards, two touchdowns.
Weber State
Nate Dahle: 20-of-48 passing, 244 yards, three touchdowns.
Omah Shah: 12 carries, 64 yards.
Noah Kajar: Seven receptions, 121 yards, two touchdowns.
What’s Next:
Colorado will look to remain unbeaten when the Buffaloes face Northwestern on Sept. 19.
Weber State will also return to action Sept. 19, looking to move to 2-2 when it takes on Northwestern State.
