Colorado’s upset win at Georgia Tech didn’t just announce the 2026 season - it introduced a handful of Buffs who made a real statement in the opener.
Yes, Julian Lewis and Boo Carter were central to Colorado getting to 1-0. But the bigger story from Week 1 was how many other players stepped into the spotlight and turned in breakout performances on the road as 6.5-point underdogs.
The most eye-opening debut belonged to defensive end Lamont Lester Jr. The Monmouth transfer was a wrecking ball in his first game against Power 4 competition, piling up three sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss on only 12 pass-rush snaps.
He finished with five tackles, including four solo stops, and made his way onto NFL Draft boards almost immediately. Lester Jr. still has three years of eligibility remaining.
Colorado also got major production from its offensive line, starting with Chauncey Gooden. In his first career start, the sophomore right guard played 67 offensive snaps and was a force in the run game.
Pro Football Focus gave him an 84.7 pass-blocking grade, the second-best mark on the team. He also logged eight snaps on defense at nose tackle, part of Colorado’s effort to keep Georgia Tech to just 51 rushing yards.
After the game, Deion Sanders made it clear why Gooden was allowed to play both ways: “Chauncey (Gooden) is an unbelievable athlete,” Sanders said postgame. “He is a dog out there.
When you see some of his cut-ups from the game of what he did offensively to them, you’ll understand why I allow him to play defense.
“That was our deal. You’re not gonna play defense unless you’re whooping the guy in front of you on offense and he was. When he got in there on defense, he did his job.”
Jayvon McFadden made the same kind of first impression. The Ohio State transfer started for the first time in his Colorado career and was the Buffs’ top pass blocker in the game, earning an 87.1 grade from PFF.
He played a team-high 78 snaps and didn’t allow a pressure or a sack. Like Gooden, McFadden is a sophomore, and the two of them already look like a guard tandem with plenty of room to grow.
Micah Welch gave Colorado the kind of hard-running performance that can set a tone for an entire game. The junior back ran for 58 yards at 4.5 yards per carry, and four straight Welch runs ended with a five-yard touchdown that put the Buffs in front in the first quarter.
That sequence showed exactly how much Brennan Marion trusts him. Damian Henderson II also chipped in with 65 yards on 5.4 yards per carry, and the rest of the running backs added to the effort.
On defense, Randon Fontenette wasted no time making his presence felt in a Colorado uniform. Wearing No. 7, the Vanderbilt transfer led the Buffs with eight tackles, including three solo stops, and added a tackle for loss.
He was used as a blitzer and delivered contact that Georgia Tech felt repeatedly. Fontenette gave the defense the kind of physical edge Chris Marve has been looking for, and if he keeps playing at this level, the 2027 NFL Draft could be in his future.
In Other News...
Colorado Suddenly Faces A Very Different Test In Home Opener
Weber States trip to Colorado now comes with a different kind of uncertainty after starting quarterback Devin Brown was expected to miss the game with a dislocated right pinkie finger. Brown was injured in the season opener, and the Wildcats are likely to turn again to freshman Nate Dahle, who is in line to make his second straight start against a Buffaloes team that will have to adjust its preparation accordingly.
Eric Kjar said he had updates on Browns status and made clear he has confidence in Dahle to handle the assignment. For Colorado, the change only adds another layer to a home opener that was already drawing attention, since a young quarterback being asked to settle in on the road can alter the feel of a game before it even begins. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado's Upset Win Just Brought Immediate Big 12 Recognition
Colorados upset win over Georgia Tech didnt just change the mood around the program, it quickly put the Buffaloes in the league spotlight. The Big 12 handed out three weekly football honors from the performance, with Lamont Lester Jr. earning Co-Defensive Player of the Week, Boo Carter taking Co-Special Teams Player of the Week and Colorados defensive line getting Defensive Line of the Week recognition.
For a team looking to prove it belongs in bigger conversations, the timing matters as much as the hardware. Individual awards are nice, but the real value is what they suggest about how Colorado won: disruptive play up front, impact moments on special teams and enough across-the-board execution to get the leagues attention right after a statement victory. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado May Have Found A New Pass Rush Problem For Opponents
Lamont Lester Jr. gave Colorado a much-needed jolt off the edge in its recent 14-13 win over Georgia Tech, turning in a three-sack performance that stood out in a game decided by the slimmest of margins. The Buffaloes have spent plenty of time looking for defensive answers under Deion Sanders, and Lesters emergence offered one in a hurry, especially from a player who came to Boulder with a background at Monmouth and quickly fit the tone the staff wants.
For Colorado, the bigger question now is whether this was a one-game burst or the start of a real pass-rush problem for opponents. Lester talked about the defense playing fast, smart and with relentless effort under Sanders and defensive coordinator Chris Marve, and that mindset will be tested again as teams start planning for him. If the Buffaloes can keep getting that kind of pressure off the edge, they may have found a new way to make life uncomfortable for opposing quarterbacks. [Read more 🡒]