**Julian Lewis Shines in Morgantown Despite Buffaloes’ Loss to West Virginia**
MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — If Saturday’s game in Morgantown was an audition, true freshman quarterback Julian Lewis certainly passed. And passed. And passed again.
Lewis, affectionately known as Ju Ju, at times looked tentative—looking past open receivers and seeming ready to turtle up whenever West Virginia sent the blitz. But there were moments on the field where he resembled Shedeur Sanders, especially when dropping perfectly placed passes into the hands of Colorado wide receiver Omarion Miller.
The Buffaloes dropped their third consecutive game at Milan Puskar Stadium, falling 29-22 to the Mountaineers and slipping to 3-7 in a tough season. Yet, despite the loss, it was one of the most exciting outings the Buffs have had in what feels like a month.
For the first time in a while, fans got glimpses of last fall’s passing game—the deep ball and vertical passing attack that once intimidated the Big 12. If 2024 was about Shedeur to Travis Hunter, then 2025 looks to be Ju Ju to Omarion.
Earlier this week, Sanders shared that his decision to start Lewis was guided by “common sense.” Looking back at a season that has gone off the rails, one can only wonder—what took so long? While senior quarterback Kaidon Salter provided little spark or downfield threat, Lewis walked into hostile territory and delivered.
West Virginia’s defense blitzed from all angles—the left, the right—and even tried to get under Ju Ju’s skin by pulling on a piece of his hair. But he stood firm, completing 22 of 35 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns.
The Lewis-to-Miller duo was exactly the connection Colorado has been waiting for all year. Their chemistry was undeniable and nearly unguardable. Miller finished the game with six receptions, 131 yards, and a touchdown.
Ju Ju was especially effective when rolling and throwing to his left. Early in the game, he hit Miller for a stunning 43-yard rainbow, then found Sincere Brown for 19 yards and Joseph Williams for 13 yards during Colorado’s second drive of the second quarter.
That said, some context is warranted. West Virginia’s defense entered the weekend ranked last in the Big 12 in opponent passer rating (160.25) and 14th in the league in passing yards allowed per game (270.8). In many ways, it was like debuting a rookie hitter against the 2025 Rockies at Coors Field—a relatively soft landing and a chance to build confidence and stats.
Even so, fans could see Ju Ju’s confidence grow in real time. On the drive that ended the third quarter and opened the fourth, Lewis faced a second-and-7 from the West Virginia 20-yard line. With pressure closing in from both sides, he stepped up in the pocket and scrambled for a 3-yard gain, earning a third-and-4 at the home 17.
Colorado eventually converted the drive into a 35-yard field goal by Alejandro Mata, cutting the deficit to 22-19 with just under 15 minutes left in the game.
What made Lewis’s performance even more impressive was that he was working with two new blockers on the offensive line. Left tackle Jordan Seaton sat out the game with a walking boot, leaving notable gaps in protection.
The early stages of the game reflected this struggle—Lewis was sacked twice in the first quarter and four times in the first half. The opening 30 minutes had the disjointed, stop-and-start feel of two freshman quarterbacks trying to find their rhythm.
Yet, by the end, Lewis had passed his audition with flying colors.
After tough defeats against Utah and Arizona, Colorado fans have been searching for reasons to stay invested. Ju Ju Lewis was well worth the wait.
The only remaining question — how does Coach Prime and Colorado keep him?
https://www.denverpost.com/2025/11/08/julian-lewis-cu-west-virginia-football-score/
