Colorado’s backfield could be in for a heavy lift Saturday when the Buffs open Big 12 play at Baylor.
The initial player availability report released Wednesday put Damian Henderson II at doubtful and JaQuail Smith at questionable, leaving Colorado with real uncertainty around two of its top three leading rushers. If both are unable to go for the 10 a.m. MT kickoff in Waco, the workload figures to shift toward Micah Welch, DeKalon Taylor and Richard Young.
Colorado still has bodies in the room beyond that trio. True freshman Cam Newton has been working with the Buffs’ scout team, while walk-ons Bryce Hicks and Titus Bautista got some late-game action in CU’s home opener against Weber State.
Even with some ball-security issues showing up at times, the run game has been one of Colorado’s biggest early-season positives. The Buffs are averaging 181 rushing yards per game, and three backs have already cleared 100 yards on the ground: Welch, Smith and Henderson.
“We got four or five backs that can really run,” head coach Deion Sanders said after Colorado’s loss at Northwestern. “So you miss your turn and you don't handle the ball properly, you got to wait your turn again.
That's pretty much how it goes. We got some guys that can really run the darn football.
I think JaQuail almost had 100 (rushing yards). DK (Taylor) got in there and got some big runs.”
There’s also some concern up front. Center Demetrius Hunter remains out, while Chauncey Gooden and Leon Bell are listed as probable as Colorado heads into its first conference game of the season.
In Other News...
Colorado Faces Immediate Lineup Uncertainty In Crucial Big 12 Opener
Colorado heads into its Big 12 opener against Baylor with the kind of injury report that can reshape a game plan before kickoff. The Buffaloes have already ruled out wide receiver Danny Scudero and offensive lineman Demetrius Hunter, two absences that thin out both the pass-catching group and the protection in front of the quarterback.
There are still more questions than answers around the rest of the roster, with tight end Charlie Williams and running back Damian Henderson among those listed as doubtful. The report leaves Colorado juggling lineup decisions at a time when the first conference game carries real early-season weight, and the final picture may not come into focus until much closer to game time. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Could Look Very Different For Its Big 12 Opener
Colorados first three games have already offered a little of everything, from a road upset at Georgia Tech to a reality check against Northwestern, and now the Buffaloes turn the page to their Big 12 opener against Baylor. The matchup comes with a different kind of challenge, too, because Baylor could look very different by then if several key players are back from injury, which would change the complexion of a game Colorado badly wants to steady after last week.
Julian Lewis was blunt about the need to clean things up after throwing two interceptions in the loss to Northwestern, and the Buffaloes will need that kind of response if they are going to reset the tone of their season. Baylors potential return of key pieces, including quarterback DJ Lagway, adds another layer to a conference opener that already feels like an early test of how quickly Colorado can recover from its first setback. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Needs One Transfer Receiver To Deliver Before Big 12 Play
Colorados passing game has spent the early part of the season searching for answers, especially against Power 4 opponents where the offense has not consistently found traction. Deion Sanders has made it clear the issues go beyond one game or one player, pointing to route running and consistency as areas where the receiving room has to clean things up, even as injuries have thinned the group and added more pressure to a young quarterback room led by Julian Lewis.
As Big 12 play approaches, the Buffs are still waiting on a transfer receiver to become the steady option the offense can lean on. Kam Perry is among the players Sanders has singled out as needing to sharpen the details, and Colorados hopes of getting the passing attack on track may depend on one of those newcomers turning promise into reliability before the schedule stiffens again. [Read more 🡒]