Quarterback Julian Lewis benched for Isaac Wilson in Colorado loss
It’s not every day that a five-star quarterback gets benched.
That was the case today, as redshirt freshman quarterback Julian Lewis was replaced by Isaac Wilson at halftime in the Colorado Buffaloes’ (2-2, 0-1 Big 12) 23-13 loss to the Baylor Bears (3-1, 1-0 Big 12).
Despite completing 69% of his passes with a 108.1 passer rating, Lewis and the offense struggled to consistently move the ball down the field in the first half.
The 19-year-old was virtually unable to throw the ball downfield, completing six of his 11 passes behind the line of scrimmage. Lewis did not complete his first pass downfield until halfway through the second quarter, on his seventh passing attempt.
Lewis did not look comfortable in the pocket. He was reluctant to use his legs when the play broke down, taking three sacks for a loss of 23 yards.
The Buffaloes’ biggest passing play with Lewis at the helm came from wide receiver Joseph Williams, who connected with wide receiver Quanell Farrakhan Jr. for a 49-yard gain on a double pass. The trick play set up a field goal, which accounted for Colorado’s only points of the first half. They entered halftime down 10-3, prompting Colorado head coach Deion Sanders to make a switch.
“It’s a decision that I made because I was trying to get us going,” Sanders said after the game. “That’s it. Just based on, we got to get going. We got to switch.”
Wilson, a transfer from the University of Utah, completed two passes in garbage time in his Colorado debut against the Weber State Wildcats. His first drive against the Bears ended in a punt, but the junior showed promise with a 20-yard completion on 3rd and 17 from the Buffaloes’ four yard line.
Colorado’s next two drives played out eerily similar, with the team gaining just one first down before punting the ball back to the Bears.
“Isaac came in a little shaky and nervous,” Sanders said. “He calmed down a bit and got us down the field.”
Wilson found a groove on his fourth drive of the game, leading the Buffaloes 63 yards down the field on a six-play drive, ending in a field goal. Wilson connected with Williams for back-to-back completions for 17 yards and 25 yards on the explosive drive.
On the next possession, Wilson and the offense put together the best drive by either team. The 12-play, 95-yard drive killed over four and a half minutes of clock and culminated with a Williams’ 17-yard receiving touchdown.
“When you go to Isaac [Wilson], Isaac is going to come in and clean it up,” Sanders said. “He’s going to do his job.”
Wilson finished the game with 156 passing yards and one passing touchdown, completing 12 of his 25 passing attempts (48%).
Neither quarterback dominated in the game, leaving Sanders and his staff to think things over heading into a three-game homestand, starting with the No. 11 Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday, Oct. 4.
One thing is for certain. Sanders still believes in his five-star quarterback.
“Don’t give up on Juju [Lewis],” coach Sanders said. “That kid plays with tremendous effort and tremendous heart. He’s not quitting, and he’s not abandoning anybody.”
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