MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Moments after the Colorado offensive line ran out of the locker room for pregame warmups, Jordan Seaton emerged.
The star left tackle was in all-black sweats, a black mask covering most of his face, and a walking boot on his right foot.
For the first time in his young career, the sophomore missed a game due to injury, and the Buffs certainly missed him. West Virginia racked up seven sacks in a 29-22 victory against the Buffs at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Freshman quarterback JuJu Lewis was already under some pressure making his first career start, but he also played behind a banged-up offensive line Saturday.
“I mean, we knew they were going to send pressure; freshman quarterback, all that stuff,” Lewis said.
Sounding like a veteran, however, Lewis didn’t point any fingers on the guys up front.
“I’ve got to get the ball out faster,” Lewis said. “The O-line did all they could, protected up front, gave me some time back there, and that’s why I had what, 299 (yards) or whatever I had. I mean, O-line did their thing. I just got to execute the throws.”
No question, not all of the sacks were on the line, but injuries didn’t help the Buffs.
In addition to Seaton, starting right tackle Larry Johnson III missed the game due to injury.
Seaton’s replacement, Aki Ogunbiyi, had played just five snaps all season and then played just three snaps Saturday. Ogunbiyi started at left tackle and Yahya Attia at left guard. But after the first series, both were replaced, with Kareem Harden going to left tackle and Xavier Hill to left guard (where he had started the first eight games).
Johnson’s replacement at right tackle, Andre Roye Jr., was benched early in the second quarter after back-to-back penalties. Hill then moved over to right tackle, where he played the rest of the game, and Attia came in at left guard.
With CU playing a freshman quarterback and shuffling its offensive line, West Virginia was aggressive, racking up 15 tackles for loss, including the seven sacks. Ben Bogle and Reid Carrico each had two sacks.
Despite that, Lewis felt the line did a solid job. CU finished with just 51 rushing yards, but that included the yards lost on sacks.
Running backs Dre’Lon Miller, Dallan Hayden and Kam Mikell combined for 88 yards on 22 carries. CU’s backs had minus-1 yard on their first six carries, but 89 on their last 19.
“Guys stepped up this week that didn’t expect to play,” Lewis said of the line. “I’m just grateful that they did their thing, and I’ve just got to do better next time.”
No redshirt plans
Saturday was Lewis’ third game of the season. He could play one more and still maintain a redshirt, but if he plays in each of the last two games, he’ll burn his redshirt year. Lewis isn’t worried about a redshirt, however.
“Oh yeah, I want to play football,” he said. “I’ve been sitting down all season. I mean, I’m ready to play. I’m excited. The guys are ready to work. If we on that, I’m on that.”
Rough start
Kicker Alejandro Mata is on pace to graduate as the most accurate field-goal kicker in CU history. And just a week ago, he set a program record with his 104th consecutive made extra point.
Mata made a 23-yard field goal in the second quarter but then pushed an extra point wide right after a Buffs’ touchdown late in the second quarter. That was his first missed extra point since Sept. 23, 2023, at Oregon.
Mata nearly missed his next extra point, too. He pushed that one, as well, and it hit the upright, but it still managed to cross the bar. Mata got on track with field goals of 35 and 38 yards in the second half.
It was just the fourth three-field goal game of Mata’s career and his first since Oct. 28, 2023, at UCLA.
Notable
CU receiver Omarion Miller caught six passes for 131 yards and a touchdown. It was his first 100-yard game of the season, and he surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for his career (1,102). … Joseph Williams also topped the 1,000-yard mark for receiving yards in his career (1,038). He had three catches for 64 yards and a touchdown Saturday. … With 10 points scored Saturday, Mata moved into 10th place on CU’s all-time scoring list, with 197 points. He is fifth among kickers. … Dating to last season, CU has lost six straight games away from Folsom Field. … Lewis’ 299 passing yards were the second-most ever for a CU true freshman in his debut. Only Koy Detmer had more, with 418 yards against Oklahoma in 1992. … CU defensive backs John Slaughter and Preston Hodge had their first interceptions of the season. CU had intercepted just three passes all season before Saturday.