Brennan Marion’s Colorado debut as offensive coordinator had the kind of grit he clearly wanted attached to it.
The Buffaloes came out of Sept. 3 with a win over Georgia Tech, and Marion didn’t spend much time dressing it up. He said the job was difficult, and he made the challenge plain: the Buffaloes were trying to survive on the road with an 18 year old quarterback [Julian 'JuJu' Lewis] against a “real program.”
"It’s hard to win on the road in CFB with an 18 year old quarterback [Julian 'JuJu' Lewis] versus a real program," Marion began in his post.
He also laid out the message he wants tied to Colorado’s identity, calling it the “V’s.”
"Our V’s to victory will always be value the ball with no turnovers, violence [to] run the ball, voice speak, victory in adversity, and victory to be one point better," Marion explained. "A 'W' is a W."
That mindset showed up in the way Colorado attacked Georgia Tech. Marion brought his Go-Go offense to Boulder, but this version of the Buffaloes leaned into a tougher, more downhill style than the pass-heavy look that had catered to Shedeur Sanders and later 2025 season opening starter Kaidon Salter.
Colorado ran the ball 49 times and finished with 183 total rushing yards, a clear sign that Marion wanted the Yellow Jackets worn down. Micah Welch led the group with 58 yards on a team-high 13 carries, while Damian Henderson II added 65 yards and JaQuail Smith chipped in 42.
The biggest moments came when Marion trusted the run to create something bigger. On the final drive, with under a minute left and facing third-and-three, Georgia Tech showed a two-high safety shell expecting Lewis to throw. Instead, Marion went back to the ground and DeKalon Taylor found space for 16 yards to the GT 20-yard line.
Brennan Marion, as expected, continuing to call a great game in his Colorado offensive coordinator debut. Great 3rd & 3 call by him. 🎥 @sluggahjells pic.twitter.com/29RN8ROwDx
That run set up Marion’s boldest call of the night. He dialed up tight end Charlie Williams on a double move and wheel route, and it ended with the go-ahead touchdown.
TOUCHDOWN COLORADOCHARLIE WILLIAMS#StingEm #SkoBuffs pic.twitter.com/jZuOoSAhp4
Colorado mixed inside zone and split zone to keep Georgia Tech’s front uneasy, especially against a defensive line that had three new starters. Lewis also settled in late after a rough start that included missed throws and ball handling issues. He began working the crosser routes and the short-to-intermediate game, then finished the final touchdown drive.
That march covered 75 yards in eight plays. After a 42-yard Alberto Mendoza got Georgia Tech into field goal range, cornerback Boo Carter ended it by blocking the kick.
Marion’s first night running the offense showed exactly what Colorado needed to win a game like this: physical runs, a few timely shots, and enough composure to finish in a hostile environment.
In Other News...
Colorado Needs To Figure Out Ernest Campbell Before This Becomes Bigger
Ernest Campbell barely factored into Colorados season opener against Georgia Tech, finishing with limited playing time and no catches as the Buffaloes worked through their first live look of the year. Even so, the receiver remains an intriguing piece of Colorados offense because of the speed he brought from Sacramento State and the familiarity he already has with the current offensive coordinator.
Colorado does not need to force Campbell into a starring role right away, but his skill set is the kind that can change how defenses line up if the staff finds the right spots for him. Whether that comes in situational packages or on special teams, his lack of involvement in the opener feels more like the start of a question than the end of one. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Tech Has One Defensive Problem It Must Fix Fast
Georgia Techs season-opening loss to Colorado left a sour finish in front of the home crowd, but the bigger concern came from how the game unfolded after halftime. The Yellow Jackets defense had trouble controlling the middle of the line, and the Buffaloes took advantage by turning to a physical ground approach that started to tilt the game in their favor.
Colorado finished with 183 rushing yards in the second half, with Damian Henderson leading the way as the Buffaloes kept attacking inside. Georgia Techs coach pointed to the interior play of the defensive line as a problem that has to get corrected quickly, because if that weakness lingers, opponents are likely to keep probing it until the Yellow Jackets prove they can stop it. [Read more 🡒]
Deion Sanders Had One More Georgia Tech Moment After Colorado's Upset Win
Colorados road win at Bobby Dodd Stadium had enough to remember on its own, with the Buffaloes defense holding Georgia Tech to 13 points and quarterback Julian Lewis delivering the game-winning touchdown. But Deion Sanders still managed to create one more moment after the final whistle, lingering in the kind of spotlight that tends to follow him wherever he goes.
As Sanders left the field with his son, a Georgia Tech fan shouted an expletive in his direction, and Sanders briefly turned back and appeared to respond before heading toward the locker room. It was a small flash in the aftermath of an upset, the sort of scene that fit the edge of a tight road win, and now Colorado turns to its home opener against Weber State. [Read more 🡒]