Colorado Buffaloes Backfield Anticipating Major Changes in 'Go-Go' offense

Colorado Buffaloes running backs coach Johnnie Mack and running back JaQuail Smith broke down the ‘Go-Go’ offense during their Thursday pressers.

Sacramento State Hornets head coach Brennan Marion listens to one of the assistant coaches yell at players on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings, South Dakota. | Samantha Laurey / Argus Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Colorado Buffaloes’ backfield is eyeing a resurgence during the 2026 season, and the main reason for this is the new offensive scheme it finds itself in. Offensive coordinator Brennan Marion’s ‘Go-Go’ offense is built on the success of its running backs, and Colorado has the versatility and depth necessary to support it.

During Thursday’s media availability, running backs coach Johnnie Mack and running back JaQuail Smith shared their thoughts on the new system. Mack highlighted the importance of Colorado’s versatility in the backfield and Smith put into perspective how difficult the scheme is for defenses to get a read on.

The importance of versatility in the ‘Go-Go’ offense

Sep 30, 2023; Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; Colorado State Rams running back Damian Henderson II (34) carries up the middle with Utah Tech Trailblazers Brevin Hamblin closing at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

The ‘Go-Go’ offense has always had the most succes when Marion has running backs of different styles at his disposal. Mack attested to that, stating that the versatility Colorado’s backfield has will enable the scheme to function to its fullest capacity.

“Just in the ‘Go-Go’ offense, we do a variety of different things, which sometimes requires different types of backs,” Mack said. “With our running game, we pretty much run everything, and then we've got guys that can be physical. There are times when we need more of a scat-back type of guy. So having a multitude of guys with different types of styles is great for this offense because those guys can split out.”

The Buffaloes have no worries about depth at the running back position, either.

How the Colorado Buffaloes’ versatility will benefit them

Southeastern University wide receivers coach Johnnie Mack evaluates his players during the teamÕs first practice at Victory Field in Lakeland Saturday. Mack is a former Lakeland High School player and helped and was a member of the schoolÕs 1999 State Championship team. August 15, 2020. MICHAEL WILSON | LEDGER CORRESPONDENT | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Colorado possesses a mix of speed, power and agility in the backfield that has given Mack confidence in the success of his players and the system as a whole.

“We can bring them in. If we need a physical one-yard or two yards, we’ve got big guys like the Damian Hendersons and the Richard Youngs. And then we got the speedsters and the power guys like Micah Welch that can be both, and we got the Track Hawks that can make guys miss on the third level. He’s played receiver before, so he can catch well, as well as JaQuail Smith, who can do a multitude of things as well,” Mack said. 

The Buffaloes will be rotating backs heavily, but the players aren’t worried about taking hits to their individual stats. They’ve bought in and have team-first mentalities, wanting what’s best for the offense’s success.

Why JaQuail Smith believes in the ‘Go-Go’ Offense

Sacramento State Hornets head coach Brennan Marion listens to one of the assistant coaches yell at players on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings, South Dakota. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

A five-headed monster or so has been all but unanimously agreed upon as the best way to proceed for the Buffs’ backfield. As a player who has already spent time in the ‘Go-Go’ offense, Smith attested to what the offense can look like when all of its components are bought in.

“It’s just different,” Smith said. “It’s weird. When you’re on the field, and you’re looking at it, it’s weird. You don’t know what’s happening. There are exotic formations, two running backs, three receivers; you never know what’s coming. So it’s fun to play in."

The Buffaloes are still yet to name a primary back, and likely won’t until just before their Week 1 matchup against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. But given the depth of the room, it’ll be hard for the staff to go wrong.

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