Three Things We Learned From Colorado Buffaloes vs. Baylor Bears

The Colorado Buffaloes take on the Baylor Bears in an identity-proving road test.

Sep 26, 2026; Waco, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders watches warmups before the game against the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Colorado Buffaloes travel to Waco, Texas, to take on the Baylor Bears in their Big 12 opener. The Buffaloes are fresh off a blowout 41-7 loss to the Northwestern Wildcats in Week 3 and desperately need a rebound.

But the Wildcats took the No. 5 Indiana Hoosiers down to the wire on Friday, so the Buffs may have simply run into a tough customer. The Buffaloes will show what their identity truly is in this road test, as far tougher opponents await them just beyond the horizon.

Three things we learned:

Sep 26, 2026; Waco, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders reacts on the sideline during the first half against the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Buffaloes don't need to hit the panic button just yet, but this team has looked uninspired over the last two weeks. This loss was no different.

First of all, Colorado's penalty issues have now hit deeply concerning levels. The Buffaloes were penalized nine times for 82 yards, a week removed from being penalized nine times for 80 yards against the Wildcats. Even in their blowout win over the Weber State Wildcats in Week 2, Colorado was penalized 13 times for 107 yards. This trend has not improved an ounce, and if Colorado has any hope of turning its season around, it desperately needs more discipline.

The other negative takeaway is that the 'Go-Go' offense is a complete no-go thus far. While poor quarterback play hasn't helped matters, offensive coordinator Brennan Marion hasn't called a strong game against any of Colorado's Power Four opponents. This game was an example of that, as questionable calls generated a number of negative plays throughout the game.

But there was one major positive to take away from this game. The Buffaloes' receiver core is as legit as it gets, and it flexed its depth in this game. Leading receiver Joseph Williams had a career day, racking up 11 receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown. In addition, Quannel Farrakhan Jr. broke out in DeAndre Moore Jr.'s absence, catching seven passes for 117 yards.

The Buffaloes have a lot to work on in the coming week of practice. The Buffs will face the No. 11 Texas Tech Red Raiders, the No. 15 Utah Utes, the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Kansas State Wildcats in the next four weeks. All four of those teams are off to near-spotless starts to the season, so the Buffs won't be catching a break any time soon.

Fourth Quarter:

Sep 26, 2026; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback DJ Lagway (2) drops back to pass against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

0:00 - DJ Lagway takes a knee as the Bears defeat the Buffaloes 23-13.

0:41 - Colorado attempts to push the ball down the field with Isaac Wilson, but turns the ball over on downs in its first set.

1:28 - Baylor runs over two minutes off the clock successfully, but turns the ball over on downs at the Colorado 6-yard line.

3:57 - Despite a 22-yard completion to Quanell Farrakhan Jr. to open the drive, the Buffaloes elect to run the football with JaQuail Smith. He fumbles the ball, and Baylor recovers at the Colorado 45-yard line.

4:28 - FIELD GOAL BEARS: Baylor begins to find success with the run game, driving to the Colorado 44-yard line. Although Colorado stops the Bears there, kicker Rhett Armstrong hits a 54-yard field goal to give Baylor a 23-13 lead.

8:14 - Baylor stonewalls the Buffaloes in three plays; Buffs punt after a net loss of three yards.

9:02 - TOUCHDOWN BEARS: Colorado loses some momentum on another illegal kick out of bounds. Receiver Gavin Freeman makes a Herculean play on a screen pass, hurdling three defenders for a first down. Baylor then regains the lead on a touchdown pass to Jadon Porter, who burns Jason Stokes Jr. over the top. Baylor leads 21-13.

11:04 - TOUCHDOWN BUFFALOES: A combination of a spectacular catch from Quanell Farrakhan Jr. and a facemask penalty gives Colorado early momentum in the fourth quarter. An 11-yard completion to Quentin Gibson and an 11-yard run by Richard Young set Colorado up in the red zone, where Isaac Wilson finds Joseph Williams for a game-tying touchdown. Game tied 13-13.

Third Quarter:

0:47 - Colorado gets burned on a 33-yard completion to Jayden McGowan, but a false start penalty stalls the drive and forces a punt.

2:17 - FIELD GOAL BUFFALOES: Joseph Williams provides Colorado's offense with a much-needed spark, recording two catches for 42 yards. Colorado flames out in the red zone after a dropped first down by Kam Perry, settling for a field goal to cut the lead to 13-6.

4:39 - Colorado's defense steps up in a major spot, forcing a three-and-out after Baylor goes for -1 yard. Punt goes through the end zone for a touchback, giving Colorado some room to work with.

6:02 - An incomplete pass to Joseph Williams stalls out Colorado's drive, and the Buffs are forced to punt for the seventh time in the game.

7:14 - FIELD GOAL BEARS: A holding penalty and blown coverage by Cree Thomas allow Baylor to set up in the red zone, but the Buffaloes' defense is able to hold firm. Baylor knocks down a field goal to take a 13-3 lead.

Colorado offense is hard to watch pic.twitter.com/BBN1Zqw6pR

— BuffBoy 🦬 (@skobuffss) September 26, 2026

9:12 - Colorado's drive finds a spark off of a 12-yard run by JaQuail Smith, but poor blocking by the Buffs' offensive line gets Wilson drilled on the following set of downs. Buffs punt as the offense continues to sputter.

10:55 - Colorado's defense steps up in quick fashion, stuffing the Bears on three-straight plays after allowing an initial first-down run.

Juju benched 👀 pic.twitter.com/hO1cqqEc6k

— BuffBoy 🦬 (@skobuffss) September 26, 2026

12:42 - Colorado benches Julian Lewis in favor of Isaac Wilson to start the second half, but the Buffaloes' penalties continue. A holding call on the second play of the drive sets the Buffs back, but a first-down pass to Joseph Williams keeps the drive moving. However, Colorado is forced to punt on the next set of downs.

Second Quarter:

0:00 - Colorado plays from behind immediately on its final drive of the half as Julian Lewis is sacked on its opening play. After the Buffaloes call their final timeout, it runs out the clock on the half.

0:40 - Pass interference penalties from both teams begin the drive, but an interception from Colorado cornerback Jason Stokes Jr. gives it the ball back to end the half.

1:11 - The Buffaloes begin to put a drive together after a tough first-down catch from receiver Quanell Farrakhan Jr., but the Buffaloes are unable to generate another first down on the drive.

2:07 - Colorado safety Randon Fontenette makes one of the crucial plays of the game to this point, timing a blitz perfectly to bat down a screen pass and force a Baylor punt.

Joseph Williams helping DeAndre Moore off the field ❤️

pic.twitter.com/NAdISNq3ha

— We Coming 🦬 (@SkoBuffsGoBuffs) September 26, 2026

4:33 - Colorado receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. takes an ugly hit to the head on third down and is knocked unconscious. He walks off the field with help from the training staff, and the Buffs punt the ball away.

7:04 - TOUCHDOWN BEARS: Lagway begins to target Colorado cornerback Cree Thomas and finds immediate success. Thomas is flagged for pass interference on the first play of the drive before giving up a first down to receiver Gavin Freeman on the following play. An illegal hands-to-the-face penalty by Colorado defensive lineman Dylan Manuel sets Baylor up in the red zone, where it capitalizes with a touchdown pass to Freeman. Baylor leads 10-7.

8:24 - A penalty-riddled drive from both sides leads Colorado to a 4th-and-inches situation at the 50-yard line. The Buffaloes go for it on 4th and come up short, as running back JaQuail Smith is stopped in the backfield on an inside handoff.

11:16 - Baylor gets in its own way to start the drive, as Lagway airmails a deep shot and it records its third false start of the game. A sack by edge rusher Toby Anene ultimately shuts down the drive as Baylor is forced to punt.

💔💔 https://t.co/GvnmdRh1wp pic.twitter.com/YwtlSk9W8s

— BuffBoy 🦬 (@skobuffss) September 26, 2026

12:36 - A near-interception thrown by Julian Lewis forces Colorado to punt after a three-and-out.

So frustrating pic.twitter.com/I0oNxH4CSo

— BuffBoy 🦬 (@skobuffss) September 26, 2026

13:28 - FIELD GOAL: After a 3rd and 9 play that saw DJ Lagway evade pressure and find receiver Hawkins Polley for a miracle first-down, the Bears drive down to the Colorado 37-yard line. The Buffaloes are able to stop the Bears there, holding them to a field goal. Game tied 3-3.

First Quarter:

WR JOJO WILLIAMS ➡️ WR QUANELL X pic.twitter.com/QIH6LbwM92

— DNVR Buffs (@DNVR_Buffs) September 26, 2026

3:45 - FIELD GOAL: A trick play allows wide receiver Joseph Williams to complete a pass to fellow receiver Quanell Farrakhan Jr. for 49 yards. The spark created by that play fuels the Buffaloes into the red zone, but they are forced to settle for a field goal after a false start penalty on tackle Bo Hughley. Colorado leads 3-0.

6:11 - Lagway targets Colorado cornerback Boo Carter twice in Baylor's second drive and doesn't allow a completion on either. Punter Palmer Williams' punt sails through the end zone after a Bears three-and-out.

7:59 - Colorado combines for 35 rushing yards on its opening drive after starting at its own 1-yard line. However, quarterback Julian Lewis is sacked by defensive lineman Kamren Washington, and the Buffaloes are forced to punt.

12:45 - Colorado trots out kicker Cadel Ayala as its third kickoff specialist of the season, and he gets an illegal kick out of bounds penalty to start the game. Baylor finds some success with the run game, but is forced to punt after a pair of false starts by wide receiver Gavin Freeman.

Pregame:

Colorado Buffaloes seeking an offensive bounceback

Sep 12, 2026; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis (10) prepares to pass in the first half against the Weber State Wildcats at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Buffaloes are averaging just 10.5 points per game against Power Four opponents, as they have been sloppy offensively against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and Northwestern Wildcats. The weather conditions in those games weren’t ideal, as the Buffs battled humidity in Georgia and pouring rain in Evanston, Illinois. But that won’t be the case in Waco, so who needs to step up?

First of all, quarterback Julian Lewis needs to improve. He held Colorado’s offense back in both of those games, namely against Northwestern. He threw the first two interceptions of his college career against the Wildcats while completing just 19 of his 29 passing attempts. 

The Buffaloes also fumbled the ball twice out of the backfield and failed to convert on three fourth-down attempts, putting them in a hole far too steep to climb out of. If Colorado hopes to start Big 12 play 1-0, it will need to eliminate those game-killing mistakes.

Importance of the Colorado Buffaloes’ pass rush

Sep 3, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive lineman Lamont Lester Jr. (56) reacts against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the first half at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

If the offense can do its job, Colorado’s defense should have an easier time finding success, as it won’t have to spend as much time on the field. When it is on the field, though, watch for defensive coordinator Chris Marve to dial up the blitz with regularity.

Baylor quarterback DJ Lagway is coming back from an ankle injury that caused him to miss the last two games, and he likely isn’t 100 percent. His mobility should be decreased as a result, and Colorado can capitalize on that if edge rushers Lamont Lester Jr. and Toby Anene can replicate their Week 1 performances.

Key injuries to note

Jul 7, 2026; Frisco, TX, USA; Colorado wide receiver Danny Scudero speaks with reporters during Big 12 Conference Football Media Days at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Colorado’s key injuries come mostly on the offensive side of the ball. 

Colorado will be without 2025 FBS receiving yards leader Danny Scudero again this week, as he will miss his second-straight game after trying to come back from a leg injury too early this season. He appeared in both of Colorado’s first two games before injuries placed him back on the sideline against Northwestern. As a player who was viewed as one of Colorado’s top offensive weapons coming into the year, it’s been a disappointing start to his season.

The Buffaloes will also be without Demetrius Hunter once again. The rotational center was injured against Georgia Tech, and hasn’t appeared in a game since. This means that Lafayette Leopards transfer Sean Kinney will take all of the snaps at center once again on the road.

Finally, running back Damian Henderson II is doubtful for this game. He has been Colorado’s go-to option for short-yardage situations, as he provides unique thump with his 6-2, 205-pound frame not found in the rest of the room. If he’s unable to go, Colorado will need to scheme around not having much of a power run game, unless it plans to use Micah Welch in hopes of having the same results as with Henderson.

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