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Colorado Buffaloes, Deion Sanders Hold Spring Football Game: Live Score Updates, Big Plays

The Colorado Buffaloes' third spring game under the leadership of coach Deion Sanders will feature an early look at the starting quarterback battle between Julian Lewis, Kaidon Salter and Ryan Staub. Stay here for live score updates and top moments from Folsom Field.
Jack Carlough|
Apr 27, 2024; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during a spring game event at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Apr 27, 2024; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during a spring game event at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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Colorado Buffaloes

BOULDER — From incoming freshmen and transfers taking Folsom Field for the first time to the starting quarterback battle, the Colorado Buffaloes' 2025 Black and Gold Day spring football game on Saturday features no shortage of intriguing storylines.

Perhaps most notably, fans will get their first in-person look at early enrollee Julian "JuJu" Lewis and Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter, who are fighting for Colorado's starting quarterback job along with returner Ryan Staub. All three should see significant playing time during the scrimmage.

"They're getting better and better," Colorado coach Deion Sanders said of Salter and Lewis. "They're starting to understand the system. It's tougher on (offensive coordinator) Pat (Shurmur) and our offensive coaches because you have two different types of quarterbacks. You're pretty much calling in two different offenses. When this guy's in, you call it this way. When this guy's in, you called it that way."

Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Liberty Flames quarterback Kaidon Salter (7) throws the ball under pressure from Oregon Ducks
Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Liberty Flames quarterback Kaidon Salter (7) throws the ball under pressure from Oregon Ducks linebacker Emar'rion Winston (32) during the second half in the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Other players to watch include wide receiver Kam Mikell, left tackle Jordan Seaton, defensive tackle Jehiem Oatis and defensive end Arden Walker.

Outside of the actual scrimmage, Colorado's decision to retire quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter's jersey numbers has drawn plenty of attention. Sanders' No. 2 and Hunter's No. 12 will be formally retired during a pregame ceremony.

MORE: Colorado Buffaloes' Chidozie Nwankwo Clears Up Transfer Portal Confusion

MORE: Deion Sanders Shares Latest Insight On Battling Colorado Quarterbacks Julian Lewis, Kaidon Salter

MORE: Colorado Buffaloes Spring Football Game Storylines: Deion Sanders Introduces New-Look Squad

The Buffs' third spring football game under the leadership of "Coach Prime" begins at 2:45 p.m. MT on ESPN2.

Follow along below for updates throughout the game.

Announced attendance

The announced attendance of 20,340 is the third-highest in Colorado spring game history.

Second half/7-on-7s

USF transfer safety broke up a pass from Lewis in the backfield and later had a nice tackle on a running back.

First-team running back Dallan Hayden erupted for a 25-yard gain.

Julian Lewis connected with Joseph Williams for a touchdown during the 7-on-7 portion of the spring game. Williams also caught a touchdown pass from Ryan Staub later in 7-on-7s.

Running back Brandon Hood had a 2-yard rushing touchdown late in the scrimmage.

True freshman safety TJ Branch intercepted a Kaidon Salter pass near the end of the scrimmage.

Statue announced for late coach Bill McCartney

Mid-game, Colorado announced it will erect a statue of the late coach Bill McCartney outside of Folsom Field. The statue is expected to be unveiled before a home game this fall.

McCartney led the Buffs to their lone national championship in 1990.

First half/Specialists

Placekicker Buck Buchanan, an incoming transfer from Louisiana Tech, nailed a 60-yard field goal.

Julian Lewis rolled with Colorado's first-team offense and couldn't move the chains. Defensive end Arden Walker recorded a sack on the game's opening series.

Kaidon Salter was Colorado's second-team quarterback and completed passes to Zach Atkins (22-yard gain), Charlie Williams, Joseph Williams, Isaiah Hardge and Quentin Gibson. Titus Bautista and Christian Sarem had carries at running back.

Pregame

Shedeur Sanders arrives ahead of his jersey retirement ceremony.

Julian Lewis warms up prior to his first college spring game.

Injury update: Cornerback Colton Hood, wide receivers Omarion Miller and Kaleb Mathis, defensive ends Samuel Okunlola and Keaten Wade, defensive back Preston Hodge, defensive tackles Taurean Carter and Amari McNeill, running backs Micah Welch and Charlier Offerdahl, and offensive linemen Kareem Harden, Jay Gardenhire and Aki Ogunbiyi were not in uniform when the Buffs took the field for pregame warmups.

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Jack Carlough
JACK CARLOUGH

Jack Carlough is lead reporter for Colorado Buffaloes on SI. Jack graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in journalism and minors in business and sports media. Born and raised in the Boulder area, Jack began covering Colorado athletics in 2018 and was the head sports editor of the CU Independent during his college career. More recently, he spent over three years as the managing editor of the USA Today Sports Network's Colorado Buffaloes Wire, where he covered Colorado's hiring of head football coach Deion Sanders. Other publications Jack has written for include the Boulder Daily Camera, Left Hand Valley Courier and SB Nation’s Ralphie Report. In 2022, the Colorado Press Association awarded Jack second place in its annual Class 5 Best Sports Column Writing category.

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