MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Moments after the Colorado offensive line ran out of the locker room for pregame warmups, Jordan Seaton emerged.
The star left sort out was in all-black sweats, a black masks masking most of his face, and a strolling boot on his proper foot.
For the primary time in his younger profession, the sophomore missed a sport on account of damage, and the Buffs definitely missed him. West Virginia racked up seven sacks in a 29-22 victory towards the Buffs at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Freshman quarterback JuJu Lewis was already below some stress making his first profession begin, however he additionally performed behind a banged-up offensive line Saturday.
“I imply, we knew they had been going to ship stress; freshman quarterback, all that stuff,” Lewis stated.
Sounding like a veteran, nonetheless, Lewis didn’t level any fingers on the blokes up entrance.
“I’ve obtained to get the ball out sooner,” Lewis stated. “The O-line did all they may, protected up entrance, gave me a while again there, and that’s why I had what, 299 (yards) or no matter I had. I imply, O-line did their factor. I simply obtained to execute the throws.”
No query, not the entire sacks had been on the road, however accidents didn’t assist the Buffs.
Along with Seaton, beginning proper sort out Larry Johnson III missed the sport on account of damage.
Seaton’s substitute, Aki Ogunbiyi, had performed simply 5 snaps all season after which performed simply three snaps Saturday. Ogunbiyi began at left sort out and Yahya Attia at left guard. However after the primary collection, each had been changed, with Kareem Harden going to left sort out and Xavier Hill to left guard (the place he had began the primary eight video games).
Johnson’s substitute at proper sort out, Andre Roye Jr., was benched early within the second quarter after back-to-back penalties. Hill then moved over to proper sort out, the place he performed the remainder of the sport, and Attia got here in at left guard.
With CU enjoying a freshman quarterback and shuffling its offensive line, West Virginia was aggressive, racking up 15 tackles for loss, together with the seven sacks. Ben Bogle and Reid Carrico every had two sacks.
Regardless of that, Lewis felt the road did a strong job. CU completed with simply 51 speeding yards, however that included the yards misplaced on sacks.
Operating backs Dre’Lon Miller, Dallan Hayden and Kam Mikell mixed for 88 yards on 22 carries. CU’s backs had minus-1 yard on their first six carries, however 89 on their final 19.
“Guys stepped up this week that didn’t count on to play,” Lewis stated of the road. “I’m simply grateful that they did their factor, and I’ve simply obtained to do higher subsequent time.”
No redshirt plans
Saturday was Lewis’ third sport of the season. He might play yet one more and nonetheless preserve a redshirt, but when he performs in every of the final two video games, he’ll burn his redshirt 12 months. Lewis isn’t apprehensive a couple of redshirt, nonetheless.
“Oh yeah, I wish to play soccer,” he stated. “I’ve been sitting down all season. I imply, I’m able to play. I’m excited. The blokes are able to work. If we on that, I’m on that.”
Tough begin
Kicker Alejandro Mata is on tempo to graduate as essentially the most correct field-goal kicker in CU historical past. And only a week in the past, he set a program document together with his 104th consecutive made additional level.
Mata made a 23-yard discipline purpose within the second quarter however then pushed an additional level extensive proper after a Buffs’ landing late within the second quarter. That was his first missed additional level since Sept. 23, 2023, at Oregon.
Mata almost missed his subsequent additional level, too. He pushed that one, as effectively, and it hit the upright, however it nonetheless managed to cross the bar. Mata obtained on observe with discipline objectives of 35 and 38 yards within the second half.
It was simply the fourth three-field purpose sport of Mata’s profession and his first since Oct. 28, 2023, at UCLA.
Notable
CU receiver Omarion Miller caught six passes for 131 yards and a landing. It was his first 100-yard sport of the season, and he surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for his profession (1,102). … Joseph Williams additionally topped the 1,000-yard mark for receiving yards in his profession (1,038). He had three catches for 64 yards and a landing Saturday. … With 10 factors scored Saturday, Mata moved into tenth place on CU’s all-time scoring record, with 197 factors. He’s fifth amongst kickers. … Relationship to final season, CU has misplaced six straight video games away from Folsom Subject. … Lewis’ 299 passing yards had been the second-most ever for a CU true freshman in his debut. Solely Koy Detmer had extra, with 418 yards towards Oklahoma in 1992. … CU defensive backs John Slaughter and Preston Hodge had their first interceptions of the season. CU had intercepted simply three passes all season earlier than Saturday.
