Colorado’s trenches powered the win against Georgia Tech

Colorado's offensive line is without any returners from a year ago. (Photo by Aspen Doust/Sko Buffs Sports)

A season ago, the Buffaloes lost in the trenches. Against Georgia Tech, they won because of them. 

The Colorado Buffaloes pulled off a miraculous win against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. But it wouldn’t have happened without the least miraculous positions on the field: the offensive and defensive line. 

The offensive line, filled with fresh faces, dominated the line of scrimmage. They paved the way for five backs to rush for 197 yards and 183 yards in total. The hogs also only allowed one sack, when quarterback Julian Lewis ran out of time during their game-winning touchdown drive. 

“We rushed for a buck 83? They rushed for 51. I thought we were small,” Colorado head coach Deion Sanders said after the game.

Colorado ran for a rushing touchdown in its 14-13 win over Georgia Tech. (Photo by Aspen Doust/Sko Buffs Sports)

The Buffaloes ran the ball at will because of what the GT defense gave them, generating movement not seen in the “Coach Prime” era. In fact, when Lewis was struggling, new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion decided to stick with the run. 

Colorado ran the ball 49 times and threw the ball just 27 times. Last season, Colorado’s most attempts on the ground came in its final game against Kansas State, where the snowy weather forced 47 rushing attempts. 

“When the passing game is not working, you got to go with what you know,” Sanders said. “We know we’re big up front, we know we can be physical, we know these guys can move bodies. So, that’s what we went with.”

Chauncey Gooden is in his second year with Colorado. (Photo by Aspen Doust/Sko Buffs Sports)

While the pass game and Lewis struggled mightily, the pass block didn’t. Lewis passed for just 64 yards before 60 on the final drive, while the Buffs earned an average pass blocking grade of 83.9 according to Pro Football Focus. Ohio State transfer Jayvon McFadden and former four-star Chauncey Gooden led the way with a grade of 88.1 apiece in their first career starts.

The depleted defensive interior, which was without transfers Ezra Christensen and Balansama Kamara, didn’t skip a beat. The Yellow Jackets buzzed for just 51 yards, while transfers Dylan Manuel and Santana Hopper plugged gaps that resulted in eight tackles for loss.

Gooden also played both ways, making him the fourth player in Colorado history to do so. 

“You’re talking about another team that’s also a physical team,” Sanders said. “So to go out there and do this when you guys talk about the run … you’re certainly happy with the result.” 

Colorado’s pass rush, or more specifically Monmouth transfer Lamont Lester Jr., took home three sacks, earning him Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week. Opposite side of Lester, Toby Anene hit Georgia Tech quarterback Alberto Mendoza twice alongside a TFL. 

The Buffaloes and their trench warfare face Weber State in their home opener on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+).