Julian Lewis’ time has arrived and Kaidon Salter might’ve played his final snap for the Colorado football team.
Salter struggled mightily for the second straight week and was benched by Deion Sanders just before halftime. Colorado was missing a few starters due to injury, but there’s no excuse for what transpired on Saturday night at Folsom Field.
At least Julian Lewis gave fans a glimpse of hope for the future.
Here are three takeaways from Colorado’s 52-17 loss to Arizona:
Julian Lewis shows promise, Kaidon Salter falters again
The Kaidon Salter experience appears to be over. After his worst game as a Buff last week vs. Utah, he wasn’t much better on Saturday night vs. the Wildcats.
Colorado went 3-and-out on its opening possession and on the next drive, Salter fumbled as he was being sacked. Arizona turned it into a touchdown just one play later. Salter did throw an eight-yard TD pass to Omarion Miller on the next drive, but his interception in the second quarter was the final straw. He finished the game with just 49 passing yards, 27 rushing yards and two turnovers.
Ryan Staub replaced Salter just before halftime and started the second half but threw two INTs on his first two pass attempts of the night. That’s when the true freshman entered the game early in the third quarter.
Julian Lewis scrambled for 15 yards on 3rd and 11 and two plays later, he delivered a dot to Omarion Miller for a 59-yard TD.
It’s a small sample size, but Julian Lewis appears ready for the spotlight. A good argument can be made that Julian Lewis should have been playing with Salter struggling and the season being a lost one.
Shedeur Sanders was even in the building for Julian Lewis’ first career TD. That could represent a symbolic passing of the torch.
Colorado’s defense unable to stop big plays
Colorado has allowed 50-plus points in back-to-back games. The Buffs have allowed five TDs of 50-plus yards over the last two weeks. Enough said.
Defensive coordinator Robert Livingston’s unit has been inconsistent all season, but the Buffs reached a new low on Saturday night.
Arizona QB Noah Fifita threw for 213 yards and four TDs in just two-and-a-half quarters of work. On the third play from scrimmage, Fifita threw a screen pass to Tre Spivey who broke at least five tackles on his way to a 57-yard TD.
Colorado entered Week 10 with the worst rushing defense in the Big 12. That will be the case again next week after the Buffs allowed Arizona to rush for 150-plus yards.
Coaching, execution and effort have plagued Colorado’s defense all season. Something must change.
Penalties a reflection of coaching, discipline
Penalties have plagued Colorado throughout the Coach Prime era and Saturday was no different.
A 75-yard TD pass from Salter to Sincere Brown and an interception by Ivan Yates were nullified by penalties. The Buffs finished the game with 11 penalties for 75 yards. It’s been a consistent theme and something that falls on both players and coaches.
The lack of discipline in all three phases (among other things) has prevented this team from reaching its potential. It came back to bite them again vs. Arizona.
Colorado (3-6) now needs to win each of its final three games to earn bowl eligibility. The Buffs will travel to West Virginia next week before their second bye of the season. Arizona State comes to Folsom Field the week after that and Colorado closes the regular season at Kansas State.
Follow Colorado Buffaloes beat reporter Scott Procter on X.
