Analyzing the CU 'Go-Go' offense debut

Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis at the helm of Brennan Marion's 'Go-Go' offense (Photo by Kainoa Hiatt/Sko Buffs Sports)

In the Colorado Buffaloes’ spring game, CU fans got a first look at new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion’s ‘Go-Go’ offense. It debuted to great success and gave fans much to look forward to in the fall.

Here’s a breakdown of the Colorado debut of the ‘Go-Go’ offense.

The game started in the most fitting way possible, as quarterback Julian ‘JuJu’ Lewis flipped the ball to running back DeKalon Taylor, who tossed a 17-yard completion downfield to wide receiver Ernest Campbell. That type of trickery is something this offense features heavily, but this play’s inclusion came as a part of a limited version of the offense, as Marion described the spring game playcalling as “vanilla.”

It made great usage of its running backs, though, which is something that could determine the ceiling of this offensive scheme. Colorado stockpiled at the running back position, bringing in three transfers and one high school recruit in addition to two returners who saw meaningful playing time in 2025.

The concern was that the offense would struggle to utilize all of the backs effectively, but Saturday’s spring game proved otherwise. 

Damian Henderson II and Taylor stood out the most. Henderson recorded 39 yards on five carries, good for an average of 7.8 yards per carry as the Buffaloes’ powerful, bruising running back. As for Taylor, he was given just two rushing attempts, but showed the coaches what they needed to see from him in the small sample size. He averaged 10.5 yards per carry, displaying his speed in contrast to Henderson’s power.

The ‘Go-Go’ offense made great use of the triple-option as well, lining up in 12-personnel for a majority of the game and giving the quarterbacks control over the direction of the play based on their defensive reads.

But while the running backs impressed, the receivers stole the show. Led by San Jose State transfer senior Danny Scudero, the receivers displayed their speed that has been hyped up all offseason. Whether it was on screens or fade routes in man coverage, Colorado’s corners had a difficult time catching up to the wideouts. 

Scudero recorded 25 yards and a touchdown, but found himself open far more than the stat sheet indicates. Additionally, Marion schemed open Quentin Gibson a number of times, as he recorded a team-high four catches for 38 yards.

The offense doesn’t feature the pro-style, four-to-five wide receiver sets that fans are used to, and the flashiness that came with that style will likely be gone also. However, the ‘Go-Go’ offense produces something far more valuable: consistency. It no longer relies on receivers making go-up-and-get-it plays on the ball, nor quarterbacks making plays outside the pocket after routes take too long to develop. The spring game displayed an up-tempo scheme that chips away at defenses while playing to the skillsets of the players on the roster, rather than forcing them to produce above their pay grade to generate success.

With Marion at the helm, brighter days are ahead for the Buffs’ offense.