Julian Lewis looks to build on historic performance against Northwestern
Head Coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders has been clear that he and offensive coordinator Brennan Marion aren’t asking the world of their redshirt freshman quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis.
After a rocky third collegiate start, Lewis delivered where his coaches needed him. Lewis set 10 school records last Saturday against the Weber State Wildcats in a 366-yard, five-touchdown performance.
Despite all the records, Lewis isn’t satisfied with where his team is.
“We're definitely still not where we want to be in terms of pass game,” Lewis said after Saturday’s game. “There’s room to grow, but we're ready.”
As Colorado heads into Evanston, Illinois, to play the Northwestern Wildcats, the team around Lewis will need to be more consistent if they want to come out with a win.
“We didn't capitalize on offense,” Sanders said postgame. “There's no way that we're satisfied with the outcome.”
Lewis has shown big-time flashes over the past two seasons, including orchestrating a game-winning drive against Georgia Tech to open his 2026 campaign. Lewis also has not thrown an interception, going 144 consecutive passes without one. Still, he’s a raw and young prospect. The redshirt freshman has yet to turn 19 and still is among some of the best quarterbacks to wear black and gold.
Sanders and Marion have made sure that they aren’t placing too much pressure or too many expectations on the 18-year-old.
“The kid is still young, man. He's still growing,” Sanders said after his game-winning drive against Georgia Tech. “That's why I don't get up here and clap with my feet in my hands because I want you guys to give him time.”
So far, Lewis has done every job he’s been asked, and he’s done it well. Starting off week two against Weber State, he’s understanding that each week builds on itself, but not letting it get to his head.
“I wouldn't say that the last game had anything to do with today,” Lewis said after the Weber State win. “I think every week is a new week to prove yourself.”
That mentality will be important if he wants to prove himself as the cornerstone of the Buffs program. So far, he’s done a good job, largely due to the pieces around him.
The Buffs added two of last season’s nation’s top-25 receiving yards in the offseason: Kam Perry and Danny Scudero. Both of those two weapons have seen limited time due to injury, but knowing that they’re there in reserve when they’re ready to go is a big confidence booster.
In the interim, another transfer, Deandre Moore, and returner Joseph Williams have stepped up tremendously for the Buffs and Lewis. Both caught four passes for a combined 230 yards and three touchdowns last week against the Wildcats.
That eclectic room has also opened up the playbook for Marion and the Buffs.
“I mean it's a blessing and a curse having all the guys I have out wide,” Lewis said. “Those guys are always open, they always find a way to get open.”
Marion has also put Lewis in a position to succeed with his run-focused offense. Colorado had its first 100-yard rusher in the “Coach Prime” era with Micah Welch getting 106 yards and a touchdown against Weber State.
By establishing the run, the Buffs have made the pass game more free-flowing. By the end of the fourth drive against Weber State, Colorado saw six of its 11 plays go through the air after 10 of its first 16 plays against Georgia Tech were runs. Mixing up their game was a huge part of their success through the air last week.
“Football is definitely fun. Coach Marion brings a different factor to the game.” Lewis said. “He has high expectations for us. Him setting that bar high makes us set that bar high for ourselves.”
That style of play-calling will help set Lewis up for success in the weeks and years ahead and turn him into a bona fide program-leading quarterback.
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