From sidelines to spotlight: analyzing Julian Lewis' first Colorado start

Freshman Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis proved he was worth the wait last Saturday, dicing up West Virginia and establishing himself as the future of the program. (Photo by Madison Kerest/Sko Buffs Sports)

Julian Lewis had to wait his turn.

Despite multiple inconsistent outings from quarterback Kaidon Salter, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders stuck with the experienced transfer, leaving the phenom recruit waiting in the wings. Post-bye-week woes eventually prompted the flickering spotlight on Lewis to turn bright.

Coach Prime said in his press conference leading up to last Saturday’s game that the decision to start Lewis was “common sense.”

The freshman would justify that trust. JuJu ended the game against West Virginia with a passer rating of 153.5, the highest of any Big 12 quarterback in Week 11. He threw for 299 yards, with two passing touchdowns and no interceptions. But the more impressive story is on tape. 

After the first couple of offensive series that included four punts, one resulting in a safety, and a turnover of downs, Lewis started to find his groove and settle into the game. 

Wide receiver Omarion Miller gelled well with him against Arizona, and that connection traveled to Morgantown. To start the second quarter, the Buffaloes picked up their first third-down conversion of the game via Lewis putting it in Miller’s picnic basket for a gain of 43; exactly the kind of deep-ball accuracy that Colorado fans have been yearning for all season.

Later on, the Buffs trailed 16-3 and desperately had to convert their drive into six points after settling for a field goal in the previous series. After finding Miller again to move into Mountaineer territory, a designed slant route to wide receiver Joseph Williams rewarded Lewis’ patience and willingness to let a play develop, finding the end zone.

Following the halftime break, the CU defense created an interception that set the offense up in prime territory. Two plays later, Lewis produced the biggest highlight with his arm yet, not panicking from blitz pressure and finding Miller again to cut the deficit to three. It was the kind of spark that got Buffaloes fans off their couches in excitement.

Did you say you wanted to see another deep ball from JuJu? Well then, gladly. Colorado needed to respond to a West Virginia score, and Lewis started the ensuing drive with a pass to Williams for 42 yards. Even two Mountaineer safeties couldn’t defend the freshman’s pinpoint ball.

Lewis’ first start wasn’t without growing pains, though. He was sacked seven times on the day, and while the offensive line did him no favors, there were moments when his youthfulness showed. Rather than throwing the ball away here, Juju took a sack in a precarious position on third and long. 

However, it would be unfair to end this film breakdown with a sour taste. So here’s another impressive play from the debutant. Lewis got out of the pocket and threw a dart to wide receiver Dre’lon Miller in stride to extend a drive. This moxy was what Colorado fans expected from the highly-touted five-star.

Lewis’ performance was a statement. With his playmaking ability, JuJu gave the Buffaloes a sneak peek into a positive future. Folsom Field now has a new face to step into its spotlights. The void has been filled, and Colorado has a quarterback it can rally behind.

All GIFs courtesy of TNT/YouTube