How the “Go-Go” offense fared against Georgia Tech

Brennan Marion looks from the sideline at Bobby Dodd Stadium during the Colorado Buffaloes game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Thursday, Sep. 3, 2026. (Photo via Aspen Doust/Sko Buffs Sports)

In a miracle win against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, the Colorado Buffaloes debuted their “Go-Go” offense; and it was as advertised.

Offensive coordinator Brennan Marion made lofty claims about the offensive playbook, calling it “basketball on grass.” After the first 60 minutes at the Power Four level, the “Go-Go” offense should excite Buff fans in weeks to come.

The offense is designed to be violent and encourage offensive linemen to maul defensive linemen while creating positive plays and preventing sacks. Last year, under former offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, the Buffs’ offensive line was a sore spot, allowing 38 sacks, the worst mark in the Big 12. Against Georgia Tech, the Buffs offensive line was much more physical, only allowing one sack.

Yards-wise, Colorado had over 300 yards of offense, with 183 coming on the run attack. The physical mindset, along with rolling through five different backs, gave the Buffs an offensive advantage, which they capitalized on. By insulating the run game from the pass game, Marion helped set redshirt freshman quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis up for success on the final drive.

Lewis struggled most of the game with the end of the first half being the worst. He was stripped-sacked for a called back fumble return touchdown that, then a muffed snap followed. Lewis also had five straight incompletions during that span. 

Marion took the ball out of his hands and called 15 run plays on the next two drives for the Buffs. That shouldn’t be discouraging about Lewis but rather an encouraging about the leadership under Marion, having to put Lewis aside. 

Still, Marion didn’t always call the right play. During the third quarter, the Buffs had a 17 play drive that took over nine minutes off the clock and had nothing to show for it. Marion dialed up a designed inside slant on third-and-nine that didn’t result in any additional yardage.

Calling a pass play at the line of scrimmage after taking off nine minutes and being outside field goal range killed the drive and could have cost the Buffs the game and was the wrong call. Fortunately, Boo Carter played hero on the last-second field goal block, but the Buffs shouldn’t have to rely on Carter getting off the edge to save their team.

Similarly, the Buffs struggled mightily in the red zone and in the pass game. Outside the final drive where Lewis went four-for-six for 60 yards, the quarterback threw for just 64 yards on less than 50% completion.

But Marion and Lewis figured it out when the game was on the line.

Most importantly, Marion was poised enough to call a run play with under a minute left in the game while the Buffs still had 36 yards to go, and down six points. Taking what the defense was giving him helped put Colorado in the red zone and eventually led to the go-ahead touchdown from Charlie Williams.

That drive is a microcosm of the play caller that Marion can be. He took what the defense gave them and didn’t go for the big play. The “Go-Go” offense was much more grit than glory, and it only had six plays of 15 or more yards, with four coming on the final drive. The more patient and methodical play calling allowed the offense to be free-flowing in crunch time.

Still, it’s week one for the Buffs, and there’s plenty of football left to be played, but the “Go-Go” offense can work in Colorado. The Buffs will also have a tune-up week in Boulder, Colorado when they host FCS Weber State next Saturday.