Buffs show out at Black and Gold spring game
- Max Friedl
- 18 minutes ago
- 3 min read
The Colorado Buffaloes put multiple newcomers and returners on display on Saturday in their annual spring showcase, Black and Gold Day.
Before the game started, quarterback Shedeur Sanders and wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter were honored with jersey retirements. Their names and numbers now sit on the Folsom Field wall of honor.
The game’s format started with special teams, then moved into in-game scenario drives. Each team was led by potential starting quarterbacks Julian Lewis and Kaidon Salter.
Both quarterbacks looked comfortable on Saturday. Lewis was running with the starters, potentially foreshadowing his season with CU. Salter also got reps in with the first team, showing off his legs and ball placement.
“They've got a ways to go,” head coach Deion Sanders said of the quarterbacks. “You guys are so used to (Shedeur) that you've got to understand that these guys are different … We gotta make sure we maximize their potential.”
CU looks to be running a similar style to last year’s offense under offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur: screen-heavy.
“There’s gonna be a lot of the same stuff from last year, but we’ve developed a lot of fun stuff for this season,” Shurmur said after a practice a week ago.
The Buffs showcased their special teams unit before the offense took the field. Highlighted by a 60-yard field goal that cleared the goal post with distance to go by kicker Buck Buchanan, Colorado may employ a dual-kicker style on special teams. Alejandro Mata took the shorter kicks, while Buchanan took the deep attempts.
The special teams unit also drilled its first kick through the end zone on kickoff.
“Our special teams must be special,” Sanders said. “We should kick the ball in the endzone on kickoffs consistently now.”
On the defensive side of the ball, multiple Buffaloes performed well. Newcomer safety Tawfiq Byard put on an impressive showing in coverage.
CU also honored walk-on OB (Original Buff) safety Ben Finneseth with a scholarship before the game. “All glory to god,” Finneseth said when asked about the moment pre-game. “I almost started crying as soon as he (Sanders) said ‘Where's 28?’”
With Hunter and Shedeur headlining the Buffs last year, a clean slate for players to step up has opened.
“I’m not looking to get my jersey retired at the end of the season,” Salter said. “I’m more so looking to get us to a Big 12 Championship and get to the playoffs and control what we can control.”
The quarterback battle between Lewis and Salter has been interesting to watch, but an answer on who will be the Buffs’ starter next season hasn’t washed up yet.
From the looks of it, Salter has been a leading voice in the locker room, with Lewis even calling him “Big Bro.” Salter’s experience at the Division I level with the Liberty Flames showed today.
The Colorado receiver room has received a notable downgrade from last year, losing Hunter, Jimmy Horn Jr., Will Sheppard, LaJohntay Wester and more.
Omarion Miller didn’t suit up Saturday, meaning the Buffs who did had plenty to earn. Joseph Williams appeared to be a top target for Salter. Drelon Miller made an appearance alongside highly recruited freshmen Quanell Farrakhan Jr. and Quentin Gibson.
In the running back room, Dallan Hayden looked to be the main guy, with Brandon Hood and Titus Bautista getting considerable reps too.
With more recruits and transfers still yet to decide where they will be suiting up, Sanders mentioned what they will be targeting over the summer.“One tremendous defensive tackle, another linebacker or two, two safeties, probably three corners, one receiver that's a grown man and a dog, a couple running backs, a tight end, maybe a guard, tackle and two centers,” Sanders listed.
Overall, the Buffaloes are still at step one and have a big summer upcoming.
Colorado will host the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on August 29 to begin the regular season.