Juju Lewis slated to make Colorado debut: Delaware Preview
- Leo Rivera IV
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Trying to get its train back on track, the Colorado Buffaloes (0-1) welcome the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens (1-0) to Folsom Field for Week 2.
Wasting no time with the announcement, head coach Deion Sanders shared true-freshman Julian “Juju” Lewis will be making his debut, receiving game time for the Buffs. He did not comment on how much or in what capacity the freshman would play.
Colorado had a night to forget last Friday, losing 27-20 to the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets. Defensively, they gave up 463 total yards of offense and were gashed for 320 on the ground.
Offensively, the Buffs showed flashes of the run game but couldn't sustain long drives. Quarterback Kaidon Salter struggled to connect with his receivers, while running back Dakalon Taylor led the team with three receptions and a touchdown.
Delaware is hitting the road fresh off a 35-17 victory over its rival, the Delaware State Hornets.
After an injury to starter Zach Marker, quarterback Nick Minicucci stepped in during the first quarter, and the Blue Hens started rolling offensively. He completed 28 of his passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns, and also carried the ball nine times for 44 yards and a score.
“For a kid to come off the bench and do what he did was phenomenal,” Sanders said. “I love the opportunity that he seized…This kid is a baller.”
The Buffs will have to be on the lookout for Jake Thaw and Kyre Duplessis, receivers who each racked up seven catches and touchdowns last Thursday. Minicucci, with a full week of practice, will have plenty of chemistry with his receivers.
A weakness was exposed in the defensive trenches, where Delaware gave up 200 rushing yards. Upfront, the Blue Hens pose a significantly less physical threat than Georgia Tech did last week, and will be a favorable front to run against if Colorado chooses to.
With Delweare willing to play man coverage and test Colorado’s receivers, it will be the perfect opportunity for Salter to get into a rhythm and for Lewis to get his feet wet. The most essential component of a Colorado victory will be the ability to run the ball with its trio of backs, who showed promise.
Defensively, the Buffs can get back on track by stopping the run against a more pass-heavy team. There will be opportunities for their ball-hawking secondary to make plays and capitalize on mistakes if the line keeps containing Minucucci.
The Fitghin’ Blue Hens could look to mimic Georgia Tech’s recipe by using the legs of Minicucci and fire shots to the corner opposite of DJ McKinney. Colorado holds the size and speed advantage at the skill positions and should dominate in the trenches. Fueled by a loss, the Fightin' Blue Hens will have their hands full for another sold-out crowd in Boulder.
“I love what they’re doing, I really do,” Sanders said. “On film, they do some nice things; they've got some people that can make things happen offensively, as well as defensively.”
The game will kick off at 1:30 p.m. MT on Fox.