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Live Updates for Deion Sanders' Fourth Spring Game With Colorado Buffaloes

The Colorado Buffaloes are ready for their annual Black and Gold spring game from Folsom Field, their fourth under coach Deion Sanders
Harrison Simeon|
Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field.
Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field. | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

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Colorado Buffaloes

BOULDER — 86. 41. 43. 59.

Those numbers represent how many players the Colorado Buffaloes have added each offseason since coach Deion Sanders arrived, largely through the transfer portal. He took over amid a time of sweeping change in college sports, and after a fourth straight roster overhaul that now feels normal, a season can begin.

Colorado has 59 newcomers entering Saturday's Black and Gold Day, or its annual spring game, after a 3-9 season. Ending a 14-practice spring, the scrimmage is set for 1 p.m. MT at Folsom Field.

This article will be updated with in-game developments and standout moments.

In-Game

Team Gold, orchestrated by quarterback Julian Lewis, started its first drive with a trick play before a few strong runs and screens. Wide receiver Danny Scudero had an 18-yard dash through space. Lewis also had a designed run and lined up alongside two running backs, a staple of the "Go-Go" offense. Defensive back Jah Jah Boyd flew in for a tackle for loss. On third down, Lewis floated a pass to Scudero for a 13-yard touchdown.

Defense stood tall on Team Black's first drive, ending it quickly. Santana Hopper and Balansama Kamara combined for a stop on fourth-and-one. Kicker Elliot Arnold misses a 49-yard field goal attempt several feet to the right on Team Gold's next drive.

Quarterback Isaac Wilson led a stronger second drive for Team Black, zipping a 23-yard pass to wide receiver Quentin Gibson on a corner route. Tight end Zach Atkins was injured near the end zone, favoring his knee.

Pregame

Ralphie VII, nicknamed "Ember," nailed her first run of the year, making it out past the opposing 25-yard line.

Eleven Buffs are inactive for the scrimmage, mostly due to spring injuries: running back JaQuail Smith, wide receivers DeAndre Moore Jr., Christian Ward, Joseph Williams and Hykeem Williams, offensive lineman Jayven Richardson, defensive lineman Josiah Manu, linebacker Colby Johnson, and defensive backs Ben Finneseth and Jaydan Hardy.

Colorado made attendance free and closed the west side of Folsom Field for the first time in the Sanders era, but a solid crowd took shape.

The Buffaloes slightly altered their jerseys this time around, emulating their once-worn gold jerseys for quarterbacks.

Super Bowl-winning cornerback Aquib Talib showed up to support Coach Prime and the Buffs. His nephew, defensive end Yamil Talib, transferred to Colorado last winter from Charlotte.

What To Know

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field.
Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field. | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Colorado's spring game will likely last around an hour, Sanders told reporters Tuesday. Ralphie VII will kick the festivities off with her first run of 2026. It would also be the first Ralphie run before a spring game since "Coach Prime" arrived at Colorado, since Boulder's weather is typically poor for the occasion.

This time, it should be full speed ahead. Climate change be damned, the forecast for Folsom is 75 degrees under mostly cloudy skies, but no rain is predicted.

Sanders said his priority for the scrimmage is keeping his team healthy, but while still seeing high intensity before a summer off the gridiron.

“I don’t want to see anybody get hurt. I want them to play hard, I don’t want to sustain any injuries,” Sanders said. “We have a whole Soul Train line of guys doing work. They need to practice. I need to see them. There are a bunch of them.”

Spring Game Format

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field.
Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field. | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

As usual, the scrimmage's format includes different players split up into teams. After, skill positions will play 7-on-7 while linemen compete in 1-on-1’s.

“We’re gonna do it like we’ve been doing it,” Sanders said. “Probably going to be out there an hour, we’re going ot do the best we can. We have picked teams and split teams up early in the spring, we may coincide with that so you can see.” 

It will be the first chance for fans to see new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion's "Go-Go" offense, though he said Thursday that the play-calling will be "vanilla." Still, it will be interesting to watch for any indications of what the Buffs' new scheme may look like this fall.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. MT and will be streaming on the University of Colorado's BuffsTV YouTube channel. 

Who To Watch

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis (10) during the spring game at Folsom Field.
Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis (10) during the spring game at Folsom Field. | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Julian Lewis: The quarterback's succession of Shedeur Sanders is truly underway, as while Sanders has mentioned competition at every position, Lewis riding the bench would go beyond the pale. The redshirt freshman flashed a vision of the future in 2025 and has the world in his hands with strong surrounding pieces and an innovative play-caller.

Danny Scudero: Lewis's potential top target was the nation's leader in receiving yards last season. Scudero, a wide receiver transfer from San Jose State, was an offensive engine and adds needed production to a core of pass-catchers that lost its biggest contributor in Omarion Miller.

Bo Hughley: Another needed replacement at tackle following the departure of star Jordan Seaton, Hughley arrives after a limited yet promising three years with the Georgia Bulldogs. The 6-7, 295-pound junior may start at left tackle, and players have seen him as a leader emerging early on.

Boo Carter: Perhaps the most talented all-around player on Colorado's roster, Carter is a playmaking safety, nickel cornerback, returner and possibly running back wrapped into one. He could test his luck at a variety of spots on Saturday after an up-and-down tenure at Tennessee, one that included an SEC All-Freshman selection but ended with a dismissal from the Vols. Still, his gifts are undeniable and could become the Buffs' biggest X-factor for a successful 2026.

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Harrison Simeon
HARRISON SIMEON

Harrison Simeon is a beat writer for Colorado Buffaloes On SI. Formerly, he wrote for Colorado Buffaloes Wire of the USA TODAY Sports network and has interned with the Daily Camera and Crescent City Sports. At the University of Colorado Boulder, he studies journalism and has passionately covered school athletics as President and Editor-In-Chief of its student sports media organization, Sko Buffs Sports. He is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana.

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