Three Things We Learned From Colorado Buffaloes vs. Weber State Wildcats

The Colorado Buffaloes were a week removed from a miraculous win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Atlanta, Georgia. They returned home to take on the Weber State Wildcats of the Big Sky Conference in the FCS for their 2026 home opener.

According to ESPN Analytics, Colorado entered with a 97.9 percent chance of winning. However, new coach/offensive coordinator Eric Kjar and his underrated offense looked to play the ultimate spoiler in the face of a Folsom Field crowd. But the Buffs ended up handling the Wildcats at home en route to a 52-21 victory.

colorado buffaloes head coach deion sanders coach prime cu buffs football big 12 ncaa weber state wildcats week 2 home opener — Sep 3, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Three Things We Learned

The Buffaloes' win was impressive, but it revealed how high coach Deion Sanders has set the expectation for his team. In his postgame press conference, he was visibly and admittedly frustrated given the 13 penalties for 112 yards against his team, and its struggles in the secondary and on special teams. He made it clear that he has championship expectations, and won't settle for less.

“We're trying to win a championship. We're not just trying to win a game. You know, maybe you're comfortable with that. I'm not comfortable with that. I'm a I'm a bonafide winner. Like in my life, I'm a winner. I've always won, and I want to win. That don't sit well with me. I'm sorry. I'm happy and I'm enthusiastic about the win, and some players played well. I got to look at the film to make sure and make certain of that,” Sanders said.

Additionally, the Buffaloes showed that special teams is anything but special right now. While the blunders on special teams against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Week 1 could've been chalked up to early-season mishaps or mistakes in a tough road environment, the ones that occurred on Saturday revealed a pattern.

Colorado allowed several explosive returns to Weber State while having several disappointing returns of its own. Cornerback Boo Carter was unimpressive on special teams after a week that saw him take home Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors. He muffed a punt that was recovered by Weber State in Buffs territory and was subbed out at punt returner before the end of the game. The unit has a lot of work to do before it faces some of the Big 12's best.

Finally, Colorado fans learned that the 'Go-Go' offense is truly going to be revolutionary in Boulder. Despite Sanders' postgame concerns, Brennan Marion's scheme was dominant. Colorado was able to run or pass the ball at will, with two receivers (DeAndre Moore Jr. and Joseph Williams) having over 100 yards and a touchdown, and Micah Welch recording the first 100-yard rushing game of the Coach Prime era.

As Colorado gears up for a road trip to Chicago, Illinois, to face the Northwestern Wildcats, it has plenty to improve upon, but just as much to be confident about.

FINAL: COLORADO 52 - WEBER STATE 21

Fourth Quarter

0:00 - Titus Bautista did rush right for a 73-yard touchdown, but it was nullified by a penalty flag for holding on Zayne DeSouza. The Buffaloes kneel at their own 16-yard line. Game over.

1:01 - Weber State earns one first down on the drive but cannot march down the field for one last score. A 65-yard punt just about ends the afternoon.

2:44 - A Colorado field goal misses wide. The forced fumble put the Buffaloes in dangerous position but they failed to get a first down and Elliott Arnold's 47-yard field goal is no good.

4:29 - Weber State's Semisi Kinikini fumbles the football at the Wildcats' own 35-yard line. Jah Jah Boyd forces the fumble and Carson Crawford recovers the football to the 28-yard line.

6:13 - Colorado gets the first down after a Weber State penalty, but the Buffaloes are ultimately forced to punt the ball to the Wildacats' nine-yard line.

7:42 - TOUCHDOWN WILDCATS: With backups in the game for Colorado, the Wildcats march down the field before Dahle finds Kjar for his sixth receiving touchdown of the season. Colorado leads 52-21.

Touchdown Kaneal Sweetwyne 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/gSDhjzSf4s
— BuffBoy 🦬 (@skobuffss) September 12, 2026

11:35 - TOUCHDOWN COLORADO: Sweetwyne's second drive starts with a completion to Kam Perry for a first down, and after a fumble call that was overturned, Sweetwyne runs off a play-action fake to the left side of the end zone. Colorado leads 52-14.

Third Quarter

1:04 - Dahle features receiver Jesean Mayberry and running back Seth Rigtrup in the passing game to pick up one first down before turning the ball over on downs at Colorado's 43-yard line.

3:42 - Colorado brings in Kaneal Sweetwyne at quarterback, but with little room to work with in his own territory, Colorado punts after a three-and-out.

5:50 - In a drive that contained a penalty against each side, Weber State couldn't overcome a number of blitzes dialed up by CU defensive coordinator Chris Marve. However, a great punt from Way pins the Buffaloes back at their own 5-yard line.

8:09 - FIELD GOAL COLORADO: Colorado gets the run game going out of the half, as Welch and JaQuail Smith fuel the Buffs into the red zone. However, a holding call against guard Chauncey Gooden stalls the drive, sending kicker Elliot Arnold out to make a 52-yard field goal. Colorado leads 45-14.

Second Quarter

0:13 - Lamont Lester Jr.'s fourth sack of the season forces Weber State to punt on 4th and 17. However, Carter muffs the punt and the Wildcats recover at Colorado's 20-yard line. Edge rusher Toby Anene bails out the Black and Gold with a strip sack, allowing time to expire on the first half.

0:51 - TOUCHDOWN COLORADO: Lewis layers a pair of throws to Williams and tight end Zach Atkins to get Colorado to the Wildcats' 5-yard line. He then calls his own number to give the Buffs a score before halftime. Colorado leads 42-14.

1:52 - A sack by Colorado defensive lineman Santana Hopper kills Weber State's drive in its own territory. Henry Way's punt is fair caught at the Colorado 45-yard line.

2:28 - Colorado fails to convert a first down after Lewis is sacksed out of bounds at the Colorado 32-yard line. Punter Damon Greaves sends his first punt of the day to the Wildcats' 18-yard line.

3:24 - Weber State puts together a sustained drive, but stalls out at the Colorado 47-yard line. The Wildcats trot out kicker David Dellenbach for a 57-yard field goal attempt, but he misses it wide right.

7:38 - TOUCHDOWN COLORADO: Lewis involves four receivers in the drive, ending it by finding Williams in the center of the end zone for a contested-catch touchdown. Colorado leads 35-14.

12:11 - TOUCHDOWN WILDCATS: Dahle avoids pressure from linebacker Tyler Martinez and fires a 70-yard completion to Kjar over cornerback Makari Vickers. Kjar records his second touchdown of the game on a speed out route in the bottom left corner of the end zone. Colorado leads 28-14.

14:50 - TOUCHDOWN COLORADO: Running back Micah Welch finds a seam in the Wildcats' defense on the opening carry of the second quarter, bursting for a 55-yard touchdown. Colorado leads 28-7.

First Quarter

Randon Fontenette first interception of the season 👀🔥 #SkoBuffs

pic.twitter.com/WV5Mb31tQv
— We Coming 🦬 (@SkoBuffsGoBuffs) September 12, 2026

1:19 - An explosive run by Shah is called back on an offensive holding and Dahle throws an interception to Colorado safety Randon Fontenette. Colorado's offense takes back over at its own 29-yard line.

4:52 - TOUCHDOWN COLORADO: Colorado returner DeKalon Taylor sets the Buffs up well with a 32-yard kickoff return. Wide receiver Ernest Campbell burns the Wildcats' secondary for his first reception of the year and a 48-yard touchdown. Colorado leads 21-7.

7:07 - TOUCHDOWN WILDCATS: Dahle puts together an impressive drive, first by using his legs to set the Wildcats up at the Buffs' 13-yard line. He then finds wide receiver Noah Kjar in the back right corner of the end zone to cut Colorado's lead in half. Colorado leads 14-7.

8:44 - Lewis is sacked by defensive lineman Teni Worthen and loses the handle on the football. Weber State recovers at the Colorado 29-yard line.

10:25 - Dahle picks up a first down for Weber State with his legs, but three-straight incompletions result in another punt. Colorado takes over from its own 21-yard line.

11:54 - TOUCHDOWN COLORADO: The Buffs come out firing again as Lewis connects with receiver Joseph Williams for a 63-yard score. The Buffaloes have run three plays and scored two touchdowns. Colorado leads 14-0.

12:11 - Weber State is able to record a first down and come within a yard of converting on another. However, Wildcats running back Omar Shah is stuffed on fourth down by defensive lineman Dylan Manuel.

🔥 Julian Lewis on FIRE. 66 YD TD to DeAndee Moore 🎯🦬 pic.twitter.com/YykfUPtaLW https://t.co/F6U9ptPXRm
— JaKi 🇺🇸 (@JaKiTruth) September 12, 2026

14:25 - TOUCHDOWN COLORADO: Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis uncorks a 66-yard bomb to wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. for a touchdown on the drive's opening play. Colorado leads 7-0.

14:42 - Colorado starts off strong, forcing three-straight incompletions and a three-and out from Weber State quarterback Nate Dahle.

Pregame

The Colorado Buffaloes’ preparation

The Buffaloes have had a long week on their hands to prepare for the Wildcats after a Thursday win in Week 1. They’ve used that extra time wisely to improve, despite the pedigree of their opponent.

"We were able to work out some things. You know, you want to fix what was broken. You want to fix the things that you weren't necessarily successful at doing,” said Colorado coach Deion Sanders in his Tuesday press conference. “You want to call attention to some of the things that you need to really develop with some of the players as well, and it just gives you an extra couple of days to do so. And we took full advantage of it. Trust me, we really took full advantage of those days.”

The Buffaloes are treating the Wildcats as any other opponent, which may be more necessary than fans think.

The Weber State Wildcats’ underrated offense

colorado buffaloes weber state wildcats cu buffs football deion sanders coach prime eric kjar noah kjar spencer ferguson ncaa — Sep 6, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Weber State Wildcats player prays before the start of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

That’s primarily the case due to the underrated offense that the Wildcats possess. They’re led by freshman quarterback Nate Dahle, who took over for former five-star (per On3) recruit Devin Brown in Week 1. Dahle is off to an impressive start to his career, as he’s thrown for 336 yards and two touchdowns to one interception while completing 27 of his 52 passing attempts.

He hasn’t been able to do it without his star wide receiver, Noah Kjar. The head coach’s son has taken the FCS world by storm through the first two weeks. Kjar has the second-most receiving yards at the FCS level (264), only trailing Morehead State Eagles receiver Anthony Ice by 55 yards. He is also tied for the FCS lead in receiving touchdowns (4) with Robert Morris Colonials receiver Galen Combs.

And although the Wildcats haven’t utilized the run game heavily this season, running back Spencer Ferguson has been efficient when his number has been called. He’s racked up 165 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries, averaging an eye-catching 5.9 yards per carry.

A unique opportunity for the Colorado Buffaloes

colorado buffaloes head coach deion sanders coach prime cu buffs football georgia tech yellow jackets weber state wildcats hc — Sep 3, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders reacts in the second half at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

But as long as Colorado defensive coordinator Chris Marve can lead his defense to a similar performance to Week 1 and shut down the Wildcats' offense, CU will have a unique opportunity on its hands.

Every other opponent is at the Power Four level, so the Buffs will likely have a chance to experiment with their depth in this game, offering snaps to players who saw little to none against Georgia Tech.

The Buffaloes brought in 42 transfers and 62 total newcomers for the 2026 season, but had to stick with their core players in a tight battle last week. If Colorado can get out to a comfortable lead, it can see what it has in some of its newcomers in a game setting.

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