Colorado finally has a little momentum to protect, and Deion Sanders is betting on a new face in the backfield to help carry it.
After the Buffaloes snapped a five-game skid with a 27-24 overtime win over Kansas State, Sanders said Tuesday that Richard Young will start Saturday at Arizona State. The Buffs head to Tempe with a 5:30 p.m. MT kickoff on ESPN2, trying to build on a result that also ended a nine-game slide in Big 12 play.
The timing matters. Colorado’s last four games include three opponents sitting at 2-3 in the conference - Arizona State, Cincinnati and UCF - and Sanders made clear he thinks his team is ready to make a run through November.
“I wish it would’ve been easier. But they did it,” Sanders said regarding the win against K-State.
“They played good, sound football. We were penalized a bit, quite a bit, and we’ve been discussing that since game time.
But these kids did it and they will never give up. I love what I see.
(Tuesday) was one of our best practices I feel of the season. We changed it up a little bit and they responded well.”
Tuesday’s media session was noticeably quieter than the one a week earlier. Sanders gave only a brief update on quarterback Julian Lewis, who was hospitalized last week after a medical incident at practice.
“He’s doing well,” Sanders said. “I spoke to his dad (Tuesday).”
The bigger spotlight fell on Young, whose breakout against Kansas State changed the look of Colorado’s ground game. The Alabama transfer had logged just 23 carries all of last season for the Crimson Tide and had only 16 carries in four of his first seven games with the Buffs. Against K-State, though, he delivered 120 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries, averaging 5.0 yards per attempt.
Micah Welch’s injury helped open the door for that workload, and Sanders said the Buffs are hopeful Welch can return this week. Even so, Young will get the first crack at Arizona State.
Sanders did not go so far as to say Young has taken over the backfield for good. JaQuail Smith still leads Colorado with 361 rushing yards and a 5.0-yard average, while Welch has 220 yards at 4.9 per carry.
Young’s big night pushed him to third on the team with 169 rushing yards at 4.2 per carry. Damian Henderson II has added 144 yards at 4.6 per carry, and DeKalon Taylor has 115 yards at 6.4 per carry.
“Richard runs hard, works hard, prepares, study. Does not miss anything,” Sanders said.
“He hasn’t had a pity party. He could’ve.
And he should’ve. Because he hadn’t gotten his true opportunity.
And he got it. That’s the most touches he’s ever in a college football game.
He proved he’s more than worthy. And I’m happy that he didn’t erupt.
He didn’t implode. He just kept working.
He got what he deserved.”
In Other News...
Deion Sanders History Suddenly Hangs Over Florida State Opening
Florida States decision to move on from Mike Norvell after a 3-5 start and a loss to Clemson has reopened one of college footballs more familiar coaching conversations, especially for anyone who remembers how quickly the Seminoles have gone from patience to urgency before. Rick Stockstill, a former Florida State quarterback, will serve as interim coach for the rest of the season while the school sorts through a broader reset that includes finding both a new head coach and athletic director.
President Richard McCullough framed the move as a response to the programs trajectory and called it a fresh start, which is exactly the kind of opening that tends to stir up old names around a high-profile job. For Colorado fans, Deion Sanders history in Tallahassee adds another layer to watch, even as the search itself remains in its early stages and the next step is still to be determined. [Read more 🡒]
Buffs Young Core Just Gave Fans A Reason To Believe
Colorado opened its season with a 94-59 win over Abilene Christian, and the most encouraging part for Tad Boyles group may have been the way its second-year players looked right away. Jalin Holland, Ian Inman and Josiah Sanders all showed clear growth, giving the Buffaloes a young foundation that looked more polished than it did a year ago. Holland led the way in scoring, while the overall performance suggested this roster may have more internal development than many expected heading into November.
The backdrop was a quiet one at the arena, with 4,420 on hand for Colorados season opener, the lowest turnout for a first game in Boyles 17 seasons. Even so, the Buffaloes had enough energy on the floor to make the crowd part of the story only in passing, not as the main event. If the early signs from Holland, Inman and Sanders hold, Colorado may have something worth building on beyond a single lopsided win. [Read more 🡒]
Deion Sanders Just Raised A Bigger Colorado Question Before Arizona State
Deion Sanders spent part of his pregame availability ahead of Arizona State giving Colorado a fairly routine update, at least on the surface. He said Tuesdays practice was one of the teams best of the season, noted that he stays in regular contact with recruits in the 2027 class, and offered a positive read on the general direction of the Buffaloes as they get ready for another Big 12 test.
The bigger concern, though, is the health of Julian Lewis after a recent medical emergency, and Sanders did not leave much doubt that the freshman quarterback is trending in the right direction. Colorado also appears set to keep riding Richard Young after his strong showing, a sign that the Buffaloes are trying to settle key spots as the schedule tightens and the margin for error gets smaller. [Read more 🡒]