MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Moments after the Colorado offensive line ran out of the locker room for pregame warmups, Jordan Seaton emerged.
The star left deal with was in all-black sweats, a black masks protecting most of his face, and a strolling boot on his proper foot.
For the primary time in his younger profession, the sophomore missed a sport attributable to damage, and the Buffs definitely missed him. West Virginia racked up seven sacks in a 29-22 victory towards the Buffs at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Freshman quarterback JuJu Lewis was already underneath some stress making his first profession begin, however he additionally performed behind a banged-up offensive line Saturday.
“I imply, we knew they have been going to ship stress; freshman quarterback, all that stuff,” Lewis stated.
Sounding like a veteran, nonetheless, Lewis didn’t level any fingers on the fellows up entrance.
“I’ve received to get the ball out sooner,” Lewis stated. “The O-line did all they might, protected up entrance, gave me a while again there, and that’s why I had what, 299 (yards) or no matter I had. I imply, O-line did their factor. I simply received to execute the throws.”
No query, not the entire sacks have been on the road, however accidents didn’t assist the Buffs.
Along with Seaton, beginning proper deal with Larry Johnson III missed the sport attributable to damage.
Seaton’s substitute, Aki Ogunbiyi, had performed simply 5 snaps all season after which performed simply three snaps Saturday. Ogunbiyi began at left deal with and Yahya Attia at left guard. However after the primary collection, each have been changed, with Kareem Harden going to left deal with and Xavier Hill to left guard (the place he had began the primary eight video games).
Johnson’s substitute at proper deal with, Andre Roye Jr., was benched early within the second quarter after back-to-back penalties. Hill then moved over to proper deal with, the place he performed the remainder of the sport, and Attia got here in at left guard.
With CU enjoying a freshman quarterback and shuffling its offensive line, West Virginia was aggressive, racking up 15 tackles for loss, together with the seven sacks. Ben Bogle and Reid Carrico every had two sacks.
Regardless of that, Lewis felt the road did a stable job. CU completed with simply 51 speeding yards, however that included the yards misplaced on sacks.
Working backs Dre’Lon Miller, Dallan Hayden and Kam Mikell mixed for 88 yards on 22 carries. CU’s backs had minus-1 yard on their first six carries, however 89 on their final 19.
“Guys stepped up this week that didn’t anticipate to play,” Lewis stated of the road. “I’m simply grateful that they did their factor, and I’ve simply received to do higher subsequent time.”
No redshirt plans
Saturday was Lewis’ third sport of the season. He may play yet one more and nonetheless preserve a redshirt, but when he performs in every of the final two video games, he’ll burn his redshirt 12 months. Lewis isn’t apprehensive a few redshirt, nonetheless.
“Oh yeah, I wish to play soccer,” he stated. “I’ve been sitting down all season. I imply, I’m able to play. I’m excited. The blokes are able to work. If we on that, I’m on that.”
Tough begin
Kicker Alejandro Mata is on tempo to graduate as probably the most correct field-goal kicker in CU historical past. And only a week in the past, he set a program report together with his 104th consecutive made further level.
Mata made a 23-yard discipline objective within the second quarter however then pushed an additional level extensive proper after a Buffs’ landing late within the second quarter. That was his first missed further level since Sept. 23, 2023, at Oregon.
Mata almost missed his subsequent further level, too. He pushed that one, as effectively, and it hit the upright, however it nonetheless managed to cross the bar. Mata received on monitor with discipline targets of 35 and 38 yards within the second half.
It was simply the fourth three-field objective sport of Mata’s profession and his first since Oct. 28, 2023, at UCLA.
Notable
CU receiver Omarion Miller caught six passes for 131 yards and a landing. It was his first 100-yard sport of the season, and he surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for his profession (1,102). … Joseph Williams additionally topped the 1,000-yard mark for receiving yards in his profession (1,038). He had three catches for 64 yards and a landing Saturday. … With 10 factors scored Saturday, Mata moved into tenth place on CU’s all-time scoring listing, with 197 factors. He’s fifth amongst kickers. … Courting to final season, CU has misplaced six straight video games away from Folsom Area. … Lewis’ 299 passing yards have been the second-most ever for a CU true freshman in his debut. Solely Koy Detmer had extra, with 418 yards towards Oklahoma in 1992. … CU defensive backs John Slaughter and Preston Hodge had their first interceptions of the season. CU had intercepted simply three passes all season earlier than Saturday.