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Colorado Daily – Arizona State Week
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November 22nd – Game Day!
… CU in a few minutes …
Daily Camera Scouting Report: Arizona State
From the Daily Camera …
5 Sun Devils to Watch
CB Keith Abney II: Tied (with Hodge) for the Big 12 lead with 13 passes defended, with two interceptions and 11 breakups. He’s also recorded 36 tackles and two forced fumbles. A year ago, he had 52 tackles, three interceptions and nine pass breakups.
RB Raleek Brown: Enjoying a breakout season as a junior, ranking third in the Big 12 with 823 rushing yards, posting 5.5 yards per carry. He’s scored three rushing touchdowns. He’s also ASU’s third-leading receiving with 32 catches. Began his career at USC.
LB Keyshaun Elliott: Tied for third in the Big 12 with 11 tackles for loss. Also leads ASU with 82 tackles and five sacks. Earned second-team All-Big 12 last year, with 65 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception.
QB Jeff Sims: Former Georgia Tech and Nebraska quarterback is in his second season at ASU. Took over as the starter for injured Sam Leavitt two weeks ago. Had 405 total yards (228 rush, 177 passing) and three TDs in at win at Iowa State and then had 288 yards (81 rush, 207 passing) and three TDs in a win against West Virginia.
WR Jordyn Tyson: He’s missed the last three games with a hamstring injury, but is expected to return this week. The All-American candidate leads ASU in catches (57), receiving yards (628) and touchdowns (eight). A former CU Buffs’ star (in 2022), he was first-team All-Big 12 last year, hauling in 75 receptions for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns.
When Arizona State has the ball …
Like the Buffs, ASU’s offense has taken on a new look in recent weeks with a quarterback change. ASU’s QB change wasn’t by choice, though, as star Sam Leavitt is out for the season with an injury. Jeff Sims is not the passer that Leavitt is, but he’s a talented runner, with 309 yards on the ground in his two starts. “What they’re doing with him has been phenomenal over the last couple games,” Sanders said. “They’re using his skillset to make sure he’s successful, this offense is successful. They’re using him the best way they possibly can and trying to highlight his strengths, not his weaknesses, and they’re doing a great job of it.” In addition to Sims, Raleek Brown (823 yards) is a force in the ground game. “You gotta close space on (Sims) and just get him frustrated and penetration to stop that run,” CU linebacker Jeremiah Brown said. When ASU does throw the ball, the top two receivers are both former Buffs: receiver Jordyn Tyson (57 for 628) and tight end Chamon Metayer (35 for 370). Overall, though, ASU is just 13th in the Big 12 in scoring (24.7 points per game) and hasn’t scored more than 27 in a conference game.
… Continue reading story here …
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November 21st
… CU in a few minutes …
Bill McCartney statue unveiled
From the Daily Camera … A statue to honor legendary Colorado head football coach Bill McCartney was unveiled Friday night in a private ceremony.
The general public will get its first look at the 8 1/2-foot tall bronze statue Saturday when the Buffaloes host Arizona State at Folsom Field (6 p.m., ESPN2).
Designed by Brian Hanlon of Hanlon Sculpture Studios, the statue was erected in the northeast corner of Franklin Field, the Buffs’ outdoor practice surface next to Folsom Field. On game days, Franklin is used by fans for tailgating.
“Coach Mac,” as he was known, died Jan. 8 at the age of 84. During his 13 seasons as CU’s head coach, from 1982-94, he went 93-55-5, the most wins of any football coach in program history. McCartney led the Buffs to their only national title, in 1990, and three Big Eight Conference titles.
“I’m happy that we will have a statue about his accomplishments on the playing surface,” CU athletic director Rick George told BuffZone. “He’s the winningest coach that we’ve had in our history, and I think it’s well deserved.”
Roughly 400 people were on hand for Friday night’s unveiling, including McCartney family members and former players who were in attendance for CU’s hall of fame weekend.
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November 20th
… CU in a few minutes …
Offensive lineman Yahya Attia a surprise blessing: “He does the job we ask him to do”
From the Daily Camera … Yahya Attia came to Colorado with very little experience in football.
This season, he’s not only gaining experience, but showing off his versatility.
A redshirt freshman who was born in Egypt and learned football at the NFL Academy in Loughborough, England, Attia has become a valuable piece of the offensive line for the Buffs (3-7, 1-6 Big 12), who host Arizona State on Saturday.
“I’ve been comfortable since I’ve (been) here, it’s just the coaches giving me the opportunity to finally show what I can do,” the 6-foot-4, 340-pound Attia said this past week.
Attia came off the bench on Nov. 1 against Arizona to play a career-high 76 snaps, at left guard. On Nov. 8, at West Virginia, he got the start at left guard, playing 58 snaps.
This season, he has also lined up at right guard, center and as a tight end in jumbo packages.
“He’s nothing to be played with when he gets in there,” head coach Deion Sanders of Attia in September. “He does the job we ask him to do.”
Recent injuries to guard Xavier Hill (who missed one game) and left tackle Jordan Seaton (who didn’t play against West Virginia) allowed Attia to get on the field, and he’s made the most of it.
Hill is back in the lineup and the Buffs hope to have Seaton back soon. But Attia is ready to go in any spot where he’s needed.
“That’s what’s gonna get me quick on the field,” he said. “They told me, ‘Want to play tight end?’ I said, Yes. … I practice guard, center, whatever. Like, I’m just ready to play whatever. I played right guard in the game, I play left guard in the game, I play center in the game. So I don’t really care.”
… Continue reading story here …
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Initial Participation Report: Two starting offensive linemen (including Jordan Seaton) listed as being “Questionable”
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November 19th
… CU in a few minutes …
The Athletic: What went wrong with CU’s Recruiting?
From The Athletic … There are two games left on Colorado’s schedule, but for all intents and purposes, Deion Sanders’ third season in Boulder can be chalked up as a lost year.
The Buffaloes, at 3-7 overall and 1-6 in Big 12 play, have been among the worst Power 4 teams in the country this fall. They rank 108th nationally in scoring offense, 107th in scoring defense, 107th in yards per play and 108th in yards per play allowed.
This is a far cry from where most expected the program to be in Sanders’ third year.
“College rosters are a blank canvas where it’s not like you have to wait a few years to rebuild,” a Big 12 assistant coach said. “He’s had plenty enough time to build a program.”
To gain a better sense of the Buffaloes’ issues, The Athletic spoke to coaches and personnel staffers around the Big 12 to find out what went wrong with Colorado’s roster this season. They were granted anonymity so they could speak candidly.
It’s always difficult to replace a Heisman Trophy winner.
The Buffaloes figured to regress a bit after losing two-way star Travis Hunter, who made such an impact as a playmaker at receiver and as a cornerback in the secondary. They also lost quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who shouldered a heavy load for the offense, and two Day 3 NFL Draft picks at receiver in LaJohntay Wester and Jimmy Horn.
As he does every offseason, Sanders hit the transfer portal aggressively to bolster his roster. The headlining addition of the 33-man class was Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter, but Colorado also signed some others who created optimism among the fan base — defensive linemen Jehiem Oatis (Alabama) and Gavriel Lightfoot (Fresno State) and receivers Sincere Brown (FCS Campbell), Hykeem Williams (Florida State) and Joseph Williams (Tulsa). There were also transfers from SEC programs such as Auburn, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Ole Miss.
But this group has largely fizzled, and as a result, the program took a significant step back after the breakthrough 2024 season, when it went 9-4 and remained in Big 12 title contention late in the season.
“If you take a look at a lot of the guys that they brought in, there wasn’t a ton of production,” a Big 12 general manager said. “They took a bunch of Power 4 big names, big (recruiting) star guys, and they put them in with the expectation that they were going to have big jumps. And they just didn’t.”
Another Big 12 personnel staffer said: “We say it all the time at our place: If a player can’t develop at a place like Alabama or Georgia, where they have every resource, why are they going to come here and be any better or different?”
… Continue reading story here …
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November 18th
… CU in a few minutes …
*Coach Prime’s Weekly Press Conference*: “You’ve got the right man. I promise you you do. And I’m going to prove that to you”
… Highlights … “I love Rick to life. I don’t feel like I’m losing him, because he is still going to be part of the program. I wouldn’t be here without him, and we talked extensively about the decision he is making” … On preparing for the future as the season winds down: “Game Day is the future. The preparation for these games shouldn’t be any different … Our record is not indicative of who these young men are … It is what it is right now, but we’re going to make the best of it. We’re not going to have a pity party” … On his desire to keep going, despite the cancer and the losses: “This is what I do. This is who I am” … On what he wants out of the last two weeks: “Winning. Quarterback development. Offensive line doing their jobs. Defense staying stout … You want to win, but you’re evaluating … I haven’t forgotten how to coach in a year … We did some things we shouldn’t have done. That’s on us … I know what I want. I know what I should see. And next year I’m going to see it” … On losses through the Transfer Portal: “You have to assume/predict that you will lose 10-12 percent” of your lineup” … “If anybody is built for adversity, I am. If anybody is built for change. I am. You’ve got the right man. I promise you you do. And I’m going to prove that to you. Just give me the opportunity and a little more time, and I’m going to prove that to you” …
… Plus … Starting at the 27:45 mark (defensive back Ben Finneseth) and at the 41:30 mark (defensive lineman Arden Walker) …
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Rick George on stepping down: “It was time”; on Coach Prime: “He’s committed”
From the Daily Camera … From the start, it’s been an eventful and sometimes tumultuous ride for George as the Buffaloes’ AD, and it’s a ride that will come to an end when he steps down at the conclusion of the 2025-26 academic year.
George announced his decision last week and spoke Monday with BuffZone about his choice.
“It has everything to do with making this place better,” said George, 65, who will transition to a role as special advisor to the chancellor and director of athletics emeritus. “I think it’s time for new leadership, a new voice. I’m going to be there to support that person and support football and our revenue-generating areas and whatever Chancellor (Justin) Schwartz wants me to do.”
Among the first questions for many in Buff Nation was how George’s decision will impact the future of head football coach Deion Sanders, a Pro Football Hall of Famer who was hired by George in December of 2022.
Sanders is in the first year of a five-year, $54 million contract extension, but could retire at any time and not owe anything to CU (unless he leaves for an NFL or college coaching job).
“Look, Coach Prime’s committed here,” George said. “I think everybody looks for a reason to think that he’s going to leave. Coach and I have a really good relationship. We talked about this Wednesday night. He kind of knew it was coming, but he and I talked about it and my commitment to him was I want to help him get this thing back on track. And it’s not like it’s off track like a lot of people think.”
… Continue reading story here …
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November 17th
… CU in a few minutes …
Kickoff time for CU game at Kansas State put on six-day hold
Big 12 Football TV Schedule for Week 14:
Friday, November 28th
- Utah at Kansas – 10:00 a.m. MT, ESPN
- Arizona at Arizona State – 7:00 p.m., MT, FOX
Saturday, November 29th
- Iowa State at Oklahoma State – 10:00 a.m., MT, ESPNU
Six-day selections
- Cincinnati at TCU
- Colorado at Kansas State
- Houston at Baylor
- Texas Tech at West Virginia
- UCF at BYU
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November 16th
… CU in a few minutes …
Kickoff time set for CU’s home game against Arizona State
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November 13th
… CU in a few minutes …
**Rick George “Transitioning to AD Emeritus” next June**
Email from Rick George … Later today, I will be announcing that after 13 years as the University of Colorado’s Athletic Director, I will be transitioning at the end of the academic year to a new role as Special Advisor to the Chancellor and AD Emeritus. It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as Athletic Director for this great university thanks to your incredible, unwavering support.
Together, we have built CU Athletics into a global brand and a national standard for how to support student-athletes at the highest level. Your commitment to them has changed countless lives by setting student-athletes up for success long after they’ve left Boulder. For your support of them, of our department and of me, I am deeply grateful.
This was an extremely difficult decision for me and one that was made after discussions with my wife, Nancy, that began in April. In August, I approached Chancellor Schwartz with my decision, and we agreed that announcing it now is the best thing for CU Athletics because it gives the Chancellor plenty of time to find the best person to lead this department. I have told the Chancellor that I will ensure the transition to a new Athletic Director is as smooth as possible.
As you know, CU Athletics is a special place on an upward trajectory. I’m so excited about what we can accomplish together in my new role and for what the future will bring for this incredible department. It’s never been a better time to be a Buff.
Go Buffs!
Rick
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Lewis winning over the locker room: “It’s been good, seeing a young guy trying to take charge”
From the Daily Camera … Colorado fans had waited all season to see JuJu Lewis get a chance at quarterback.
The true freshman has seized his opportunity in the last two games and it has made an impression on his teammates.
After playing well off the bench in a 52-17 loss to Arizona on Nov. 1, Lewis got his first career start last week. He threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns in a 29-22 loss at West Virginia.
“It was good to see JuJu excel at a high level,” receiver Omarion Miller said. “Offensively the whole game, I feel like that was good for him. Not playing really the whole season, to come out and do that right there, I was happy for him.”
Lewis was named to the Pro Football Focus Big 12 team of the week for his performance, along with Miller, offensive lineman Yahya Attia and defensive lineman Brandon Davis-Swain.
“It was great,” Attia said of having Lewis play against West Virginia. “My first start, his first start, we both made the Big 12 team of the week, so it was great.”
At 3-7 (1-6 Big 12), the Buffs are ensured of a losing season and won’t participate in a bowl game. But with two games to play, the development of Lewis is important for him and the Buffs. CU is on a bye this week before hosting Arizona State on Nov. 22.
For most of the season, Lewis was on the bench as senior Kaidon Salter started and played the bulk of the snaps. Lewis is now in that starting role and striving to develop as a leader.
“It’s been good, seeing a young guy trying to take charge,” Miller said. “Being a freshman coming in, trying to take charge of the whole offense, man, I feel like he’s doing a good job at it and he’s getting better day by day.”
… Continue reading story here …
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November 12th
… CU in a few minutes …
Travis Hunter undergoes season-ending surgery
From the Daily Camera … Jacksonville Jaguars two-way star Travis Hunter had season-ending surgery Tuesday to repair the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee and is expected to return to the football field within six months.
The team said there was no additional damage to Hunter’s knee, which he injured during a non-contact drill in practice last month.
Hunter was coming off a career performance in London before his injury. The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner caught eight passes for 101 yards and a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams, and the Jaguars (5-4) were planning to use him as their No. 1 receiver moving forward partly because Brian Thomas Jr. leads the league with nine dropped passes.
The injury, though, surely will stunt his NFL growth. Hunter never really looked like a player worth what Jacksonville gave up to trade up three spots and select him second overall in April; he wasn’t the best cornerback on a rebuilding team and wasn’t the best receiver, either.
The Jags dealt a second-round pick in 2025 and a first-rounder in 2026 to swap first-round spots with Cleveland.
Hunter played a combined 486 snaps this season, with 324 of those coming on offense. He played 67% of the downs on that side of the ball. He played 162 snaps on defense, on the field 36% of the time on that side of the ball.
He finished with 28 receptions for 298 yards and a score. He also had 15 tackles and three pass defenses.
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November 11th
… CU in a few minutes …
Julian Lewis and Omarion Miller already forming a bond for the future
From the Daily Camera … Wide receiver Omarion Miller has seemingly developed a good connection with freshman quarterback JuJu Lewis, who made his first start at West Virginia.
Lewis is 33-of-56 for 428 yards this season, with Miller as his top target. Miller has nine catches for 208 yards and two touchdowns on 13 targets from Lewis.
No other receiver has more than five catches or eight targets from Lewis.
“Definitely,” Lewis said when asked if he’s developed a special rapport with Miller.
He then quickly added, “Same thing with Joseph (Williams) and Sincere (Brown) and all those guys out there. Just those extra reps after practice are so important. I was the third string (quarterback) last week, so I mean, I wasn’t getting as many reps with those guys, but after practice every day this week, just getting those extra reps we needed just so we can get that chemistry.”
Miller has averaged 23.1 yards per catch on passes from Lewis, up from 17.3 with Kaidon Salter and 16.3 with Ryan Staub. Miller averaged 22.6 yards per catch the previous two years with Shedeur Sanders at quarterback.
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November 10th
… CU in a few minutes …
CU final home game kickoff against Arizona State on six-day hold; to be announced on Sunday
- Game announced today:
- Oklahoma State at UCF … Saturday, 2:00pm MT on ESPN+ …
- Games to be held for six-day selections
- Baylor at Arizona
- BYU at Cincinnati
- Arizona State at Colorado
- TCU at Houston
- Kansas at Iowa State
- Kansas State at Utah
Texas Tech and West Virginia
With Buffs out of bowl contention, thoughts turn to roster management
From the Daily Camera … Of the 102 players on the CU roster, 33 are in their final year of eligibility. That leaves 69 players that could come back next year, with 23 of those being walk-ons.
Particularly with the 46 scholarship players who could come back, CU – as well as those players – have decisions to make. Under Sanders, the Buffs have been heavily active in the transfer portal.
CU had 57 out-going transfers prior to Sanders’ first season in Boulder, in 2023. A year later, in 2024, there were 41 out-going transfers. This past offseason, there were 33.
Based on that pattern, CU is likely to see perhaps half of those 69 players jump into the transfer portal.
Ultimately, CU could have close to 70 new players in 2026.
Sanders also has some decisions to make with his coaching staff. First and foremost would be a decision on offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, whose contract expires after this season. It was recently reported that Shurmur had offensive play-calling duties removed, in favor of tight ends coach Brett Bartolone.
Over the course of the next few weeks, the Buffs will try to pick up a pair of wins, but do so with an eye to the future.
“It’s really roster management, coach management, understanding what we’re doing going forward,” Sanders said. “But I promise you there’s going to be some changes.”
… Continue reading story here …
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5 Replies to “Colorado Daily – Arizona State Week”
If you don’t think this is a poorly coached football team. I can’t help you. If the head coach’s name was Fred Smith, the line on this thread or any thread would be around the block calling for his head. Frustrating.
There will be a ton of change from now to Feb/March (I’m unsure how long of the quality portal signing period will go). In hindsight, off last season we definitely struck out on guys compared to other years, but I also think there was probably too much to replace from last season. Add in the additional to necessary attempted changes to offensive scheme, which did not work, it has been rough. I still do not fault the staff for picking Salter since he was like 23-4 his last two years at Liberty with impressive numbers looking good on paper (a running threat) and film. In sum, I thought he was a “winner”/leader and his flop really hurt as we were in position to win some games early rather than 3-7.
The defense regressing is a disappointment, but we have had some younger guys stepping up in certain areas. Please get us some LBs. Looking back, I totally underestimated TH’s value on both sides of the ball, especially defense as he made life much easier on that side. I’m hoping we can reload defensively, plus our good younger players will stay and develop as they grow and get older.
Obviously, the coaching staff needs a shake up. With all the HCing turnover this season, I hope the AC/OC market might be much better than last season, and those hired may bring some needed portal guys with them. The portal may be wide open with all the HCing dominoes. Certain player retention will be huge for the Buffs, as will be player evaluation, having enough NIL to compete, and just executing on next round of guys coming in.
Hoping for some good jolts over these next three months. Still I feel the roster has a much better base when Prime inherited the 1-11 team. Hopefully, they go out and hit the AC/OC market, recruiting and portal hard again then we build around Juju with better results.
Let’s get a win on Sat, and play good at KSU.
Shurmur ruined Salter. Part of that is Salter’s fault for coming here in the first place. He should have realized the O scheme and the O line play were not designed for a running QB. Shurmur wasn’t smart enough or flexible enough to alter anything to fit Salter, or anything else, either. We have seen that for 2 years now.
Not another coach in history gets more excuses made for him than this one. Year three.
Finneseth is awesome. So is Walker. It continues to sound like there’s a core group of studs they’re going to keep building around this off season.
Looking forward to Saturday.
Go Buffs