Colorado Buffaloes Show Fight But Fall In Julian Lewis' First College Start

True freshman quarterback Julian "JuJu" Lewis performed well in his first career start despite the Colorado Buffaloes falling to the West Virginia Mountaineers in Morgantown. The former five-star prospect threw for nearly 300 yards in a solid step forward.

Nov 8, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis (10) warms up prior to their game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images | Ben Queen-Imagn Images

A new, promising era of Colorado Buffaloes football began Saturday with true freshman phenom Julian "JuJu" Lewis making his first career start against the West Virginia Mountaineers.

After watching Lewis throw for 121 yards and one touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats last week, coach Deion Sanders announced Tuesday that the former five-star prospect would start over Kaidon Salter in the Buffs' first trip to West Virginia since 2009. Lewis, hindered by a shorthanded offensive line, performed well with 299 passing yards and two touchdowns, but the Buffs still suffered a 29-22 defeat in Morgantown.

This article will be updated with scoring plays and key moments from Lewis' first career start, which will kick off at 10 a.m. MT on TNT (simulcast on HBO Max):

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Colorado Drive Ends In Field Goal

Score Update: West Virginia 29, Colorado 22 (Q4, 1:16)

Alejandro Mata put Colorado within a touchdown with a 38-yard field goal.

West Virginia Scores Massive Touchdown

Score Update: West Virginia 29, Colorado 19 (Q4, 4:15)

West Virginia regained a two-score lead with just over four minutes left in the fourth quarter courtesy of a 4-yard Curtis Jones Jr. rushing touchdown.

Alejandro Mata Hits 35-Yard Field Goal

Score Update: West Virginia 22, Colorado 19 (Q3, 14:51)

A promising Colorado drive resulted in a 35-yard field goal from Alejandro Mata. The Buffs now trail by three early in the fourth quarter.

End Quarter 3 Score Update: West Virginia 22, Colorado 16

Defensive backs Preston Hodge and John Slaughter each recorded an interception and Julian Lewis threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Omarion Miller in a strong third quarter for Colorado.

West Virginia Tacks On Field Goal

Score Update: West Virginia 22, Colorado 16 (Q3, 1:47)

Colorado's defense held strong in the red zone with the help of an Arden Walker sack on third down, forcing West Virginia into a 37-yard field goal.

Omarion Miller Redeems Himself

Score Update: Colorado 19, West Virginia 16 (Q3, 7:19)

After fumbling on Colorado's first offensive drive of the second half, wide receiver Omarion Miller redeemed himself two drives later with a 23-yard touchdown on a perfect fade from Julian Lewis. Miller's touchdown was set up by an interception from John Slaughter on West Virginia's prior drive.

Halftime Score Update: West Virginia 19, Colorado 9

West Virginia entered the halftime break up 19-9 following a 41-yard field goal from Kade Hensley to close the second quarter.

At the half, West Virginia leads Colorado in total yards, 214-190.

Julian Lewis Hits Joseph Williams For Touchdown

Score Update: West Virginia 16, Colorado 9 (Q2, 0:45)

Late in the first half, Julian Lewis threw his first touchdown pass of the day on a 9-yard strike to wide receiver Joseph Williams. After a slow start, the freshman Lewis now owns 149 yards on 11-of-18 passing.

Unfortunately for the Buffs, Mata's streak of 105 consecutive made extra points came to a close.

Scotty Fox Jr., Ryan Ward Connect For Touchdown

Score Update: West Virginia 16, Colorado 3 (Q2, 3:29)

West Virginia regained a two-score lead late in the second quarter when freshman quarterback Scotty Fox Jr. hit tight end Ryan Ward for a 3-yard touchdown. The scoring drive also featured a 69-yard pass from Fox to running back Diore Hubbard.

Alejandro Mata Hits 23-Yard Field Goal

Score Update: West Virginia 9, Colorado 3 (Q2, 6:02)

Now looking more comfortable under center, Julian Lewis led Colorado to a 13-play, 70-yard drive that ultimately stalled in the red zone. Alejandro Mata then hit a 23-yard field goal to give Colorado its first points.

End Quarter 1 Score Update: West Virginia 2, Colorado 0

Neither offense was able to find much success in the first quarter, with the game's only points coming on a safety on a blocked punt. Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis completed 3-of-8 passes for 26 yards in the first quarter.

Curtis Jones Jr. Scores West Virginia's First Touchdown

Score Update: West Virginia 9, Colorado 0 (Q1, 0:19)

West Virginia's Curtis Jones Jr. capped off an 11-play, 75-yard drive with a 2-yard rushing touchdown on fourth down. The late-first quarter touchdown has the Mountaineers up two scores on their home turf.

West Virginia Tallies Safety On Blocked Punt

Score Update: West Virginia 2, Colorado 0 (Q1, 4:35)

West Virginia scored the game's first points after a blocked Damon Greaves punt rolled out of Colorado's own end zone, resulting in a safety.

Jordan Seaton Out With Injury

Colorado OT Jordan Seaton is OUT today vs. West Virginia

Julian Lewis will be without both of his starting tackles for his first career start

— Scott Procter (@ScottProcter_) November 8, 2025

For the first time in his young career, sophomore offensive tackle Jordan Seaton will miss a game due to injury. The former five-star prospect was a game-time decision but was spotted wearing a boot on the sidelines.

Scouting West Virginia

Nov 1, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Scotty Fox Jr. (15) takes a snap against the Houston Cougars in the first half at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Just like Colorado, West Virginia is rolling with a true freshman quarterback this weekend in Scotty Fox Jr., a former three-star prospect set to make his third college start. Fox led the Mountaineers to an upset win over the Houston Cougars last week, accounting for over 200 total yards and three touchdowns.

"They got a freshman that did some wonderful things a week ago," Sanders said of Fox earlier this week. "They shook up, not the world, but college football and the Big 12 with the win last week. I'm proud of them, but we got our work cut out ahead of us."

Defensively, the Mountaineers allow 406.4 yards per game, although Colorado is even worse at 426.4. Safety Fred Perry leads West Virginia with 63 total tackles, and linebacker Chase Wilson has also impressed with a team-high three sacks and two interceptions.

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Colorado's Keys To Victory

Oct 25, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders speaks with Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Isaiah Hardge (17) before the game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Once again, the Buffs must slow a dual-threat quarterback and a versatile run game. Improved tackling, particularly in the shorthanded secondary, will be a must for Colorado to secure its fourth win of the season and stay alive in the hunt for bowl eligibility.

Colorado's offense, which reportedly transferred play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur to tight ends coach Brett Bartolone, will likely play things safe with "Coach Prime" hoping to instill confidence in Lewis. Run calls and screen plays could be common early as Lewis gets his feet wet in his first college start.