Defensive back Braylon Edwards runs with the ball past a CU defender during the CU Boulder spring game at Folsom Field on Saturday, April 11, 2026. (Rebecca Schima/CU Independent)
The Colorado Buffaloes welcomed fans back to Folsom Field on Saturday for Black and Gold Day. The spring game kicked off the 2026 season, the next edition of the Coach Prime era. This season has a different feel coming off the heels of a demoralizing 3-9 year. Saturday featured some new faces on the field and sidelines, looking to restore the Buffs as a threat in the Big 12 like they were in 2024.
Julian Lewis and Isaac Wilson led the game as quarterbacks for each team. The game adopted a new format from last year; teams were drafted with both offense and defense, making for a more “game-like” contest rather than a glorified practice. Lewis piloted Team Gold, with new talent Danny Scudero and Mojo Williams Jr., to a 7-6 win over Team Black.
New offensive coordinator Brennan Marion and new defensive coordinator Chris Marve led the Buffs for the first time in their respective coaching positions. They coached a plethora of transfers, finding their roles at Colorado.
Here are five takeaways from the spring game:
Julian Lewis and Danny Scudero team up for touchdown pass
Quarterback Julian Lewis looks to pass during the CU Boulder spring game at Folsom Field on Saturday, April 11, 2026. (Rebecca Schima/CU Independent)
The lone touchdown of the game was scored by senior wide receiver Danny Scudero on the first possession of the game for Team Gold. Redshirt freshman quarterback Julian Lewis found Scudero’s back shoulder in the corner of the endzone with an accurate pass. Scudero got two steps of separation on his defender with a nice corner route.
Scudero is a transfer from San Jose State, where he was named to the AP All-America second team last season. Scudero’s performance on Saturday showed promise for him to emerge as the No. 1 guy at receiver. He’s also integrating nicely with his new teammates.
“We jelled pretty fast,” Scudero said. “And that’s a testament to the coaches and everybody around; the guys that they brought in and the guys that stayed here because everybody has the same goal in mind and we want to win.”
Lewis also looked more comfortable in his second spring game. No longer in a QB battle, Lewis had poise and kept things simple. Another back-shoulder pass in the endzone was put on-target to returning receiver Kaleb Mathis, but was dropped.
“[Lewis] was a lot better today,” head coach Deion Sanders said after the game. “I think that’s very easy to obtain when you’ve got Danny Scudero on your side. He is a dawg.”
Good tackles for Santana Hopper
Senior defensive lineman Santana Hopper made two good tackles for Team Gold. Hopper collaborated with Balansama Kamara for a stop on a 4th-and-1 run. He followed it up on the next drive with another stop at the line of scrimmage to foil a third-down run.
Hopper transferred from Tulane where he finished with 10.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks last season. Before his time in New Orleans, he was named to the 2024 All-Sun Belt first team as a member of Appalachian State. He should bring some help to a defensive front in desperate need of new blood after allowing the second-most rushing yards per game in all of Division I football.
Mojo Williams finishes game with interception
True freshman defensive back Mojo Williams Jr. jumped a pass by backup quarterback Isaac Wilson for a diving interception on the final play of the game. The pass was well behind its intended target in Brady Kopetz as Williams saw the play from the snap into his arms.
“I told myself I had to get at least one before I left today,” Williams said. “I got it. It’s a blessing, understanding my situation, knowing where the ball is going, and just trusting myself.”
Williams signed to Colorado in December after decommitting from Liberty. He’s a part of a crowded cornerback room with an entirely new look from last year, and is looking to become a staple of the defense in his first year.
“He’s one of those guys where you gotta know where he’s at,” Sceduro said of Williams. “If you’re gonna line up against him, you gotta come with a plan. If you don’t, he’s gonna get hands on, he’s gonna disrupt your route.”
New coordinators off to a promising start
New coordinators Marion and Marve brought fans optimism of a renewed identity. Both sides of the ball executed smoothly. On offense, the first reads and hot routes often got open in space and made things easy for the quarterbacks. The game opened with a trick-play pass from running back DeKalon Taylor into the hands of receiver Ernest Campbell. The defense hardened up on short-yardage plays, and tackling was fundamentally sound, an issue that has plagued the Buffs in previous years.
Sanders expressed nothing but praise for his new coaches, including a story about Marion and Marve taking over while Sanders had a short stint in the hospital three weeks ago.
“The best gift that I believe that they have is not just X’s and O’s, but how they relate to the players,” Sanders said. “We have a situation now where these kids aren’t just coming and desiring to play for me, they want to please their coordinators as well.”
Sanders said Marion and Marve have exceeded all expectations, and looks forward to the season with them.
Ralphie’s still got it
Handlers guide Ralphie the Buffalo during the traditional pregame run at Folsom Field ahead of the CU Boulder spring game on Saturday, April 11, 2026. (Rebecca Schima/CU Independent)
Ralphie VII picked up right where she left off from last year. Brandy, as she’s affectionately named, made her debut last season and thrilled fans with her speed and inclination to run after replacing her rather reluctant predecessor.
Today, she ran all the way to the 22-yard line of the south end of the field before making the turn towards her stable.
Another thrilling year of Ralphie runs looks to be coming in the fall. Time will tell if the team behind her will have the same success.
Contact CU Independent staff writer Paxton Haines at paxton.haines@colorado.edu.
