Defensive back Randon Fontenette celebrates after taking the ball from Weber State at Folsom Field on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Tyler Phillips/CU Independent)
Colorado’s quarterback Julian Lewis connected with DeAndre Moore Jr. for a 66-yard touchdown on the University of Colorado’s first play of the game.
And not a lot changed since then.
The Buffaloes (2-0, 0-0 Big 12) beat up on the Weber State Wildcats (1-2, 1-0 Big Sky) 52-21 Saturday afternoon. Over 49,000 fans packed Folsom Field for the 2026 home opener, the second-highest attendance against an FCS opponent in stadium history.
Lewis broke CU history in the first quarter, throwing for 212 yards, the most by a quarterback in a single quarter. The freshman found Moore Jr. on a 66-yard strike, Joseph Williams for a 63-yard score and Ernest Campbell from 48, just in the first 15 minutes.
All game, Colorado flexed its speed and strength advantages over Weber State, posting 578 total yards, the most in head coach Deion Sanders’ tenure. Lewis ended with four touchdowns and 366 yards, both career highs.
Williams was his favorite target in a dispersed air attack that saw 11 different Buffs tally a catch. Williams and Moore Jr. combined for 230 yards and three scores, while sophomore Quentin Gibson led in receptions with five.
Wide receiver Joseph Williams scores a touchdown during the game against Weber State at Folsom Field on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Tyler Phillips/CU Independent)
“He’s truly a specimen out there,” Lewis said about Williams. “People really have to worry about that deep game [with Williams], and he makes people have to back up, and that’s all you can ask for.”
Offensive coordinator Brennan Marion ran an alternative scheme compared to the one against Georgia Tech a week prior, balancing more between pass and run. Junior back Micah Welch totaled 106 yards, the most in a single game by a rusher in the Coach Prime era.
“Micah’s my dog man,” Sanders said. “I love that young man, in the classroom, on the field, his practice habits, everything.”
Running back Micah Welch celebrates as he gets close to a touchdown during the game against Weber State at Folsom Field on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Tyler Phillips/CU Independent)
Through all of these accolades and records set, the attitude from the Buffs after the game was actually dissatisfaction.
“We didn’t capitalize on offense; we only scored 52 points,” Sanders said. “We didn’t get done what we wanted to get done. There’s no way we’re satisfied with the outcome.”
Colorado’s defensive unit that didn’t allow a touchdown to Georgia Tech last week surrendered three against the Wildcats on Saturday. Two came in the first half with both teams’ starters still in the game.
“We’re not happy about giving up 21 points,” senior linebacker Tyler Martinez, who got seven tackles, said. “We could have been better throughout the whole game. The standard is a standard. Tomorrow we’re going to come in, watch film, get everything fixed and turn the page on this game.”
Penalties were a glaring issue for Colorado as well, committing 13 for a free 112 yards for the Wildcats. On the final drive of the game, CU’s third-year backup running back Titus Bautista broke free for a 73-yard touchdown that was brought back from a holding penalty.
“When we’re trying to kick a field goal late, and the guy’s not even running on the darn field, that bothers me,” Sanders said. “The multiple penalties on special teams bother me. We got to do a better job.”
Although the Buffs still have work to do, CU’s started the season 2-0. There’s a night-and-day difference between last year’s squad and this year’s, with a fiery offense and capable defense.
Colorado has one more test before conference play begins. The Buffs will travel to downtown Chicago for a match-up with Northwestern (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten) next week. That games set to start at 5:30 p.m. MT and will stream on FOX.
Contact CU Independent Sports Editor Baylan Wysuph at baylan.wysuph@gmail.com
