Five Interesting Stats From the Colorado Buffaloes' Spring Game

A closer look at the standout performances and key takeaways from the Buffs' annual spring scrimmage.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 1:08am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Colorado Buffaloes football game, with sharp, overlapping planes of gold, black, and silver colors representing the players and action on the field.The Colorado Buffaloes' spring game showcased the team's new talent and returning playmakers, providing a glimpse of the squad's potential for the upcoming season.Boulder Today

The Colorado Buffaloes held their annual Black and Gold spring game on Saturday, with the Gold team emerging victorious 7-6. Here are five key stats and storylines that stood out from the exhibition.

Why it matters

The spring game provides an early glimpse into the Buffaloes' roster and potential starting lineup ahead of the 2026 season. With new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion and a host of high-profile transfers, Colorado is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 campaign.

The details

Damian Henderson II led the Buffs' running backs with 38 rushing yards on five carries, showcasing his potential to be the lead back this fall. Defensive tackle Santana Hopper, a key transfer addition, made an impact with 1.5 tackles for loss. Receiver Quentin Gibson had a team-high four catches for 38 yards, though the quarterback competition between Julian Lewis and Isaac Wilson remains tight after Lewis went 6-of-11 for 60 yards and a touchdown, while Wilson threw an interception. The offensive line, bolstered by several new transfers, allowed just two sacks on 27 pass attempts, a positive sign after struggling to protect the QB last season.

  • The spring game took place on Saturday, April 11, 2026 in Boulder, Colorado.

The players

Damian Henderson II

A running back who followed new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion to Colorado and had 38 rushing yards in the spring game.

Santana Hopper

A defensive tackle transfer who recorded 1.5 tackles for loss in the spring game, a positive sign for Colorado's run defense.

Quentin Gibson

A wide receiver who led the team with four catches for 38 yards in the spring game.

Julian Lewis

The quarterback who went 6-of-11 for 60 yards and a touchdown, maintaining his status as the early favorite to start this fall.

Isaac Wilson

The quarterback who threw an interception in the spring game, putting him behind Lewis in the competition to be the Buffs' starting signal-caller.

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What’s next

The Buffaloes will continue to evaluate their quarterback competition between Lewis and Wilson throughout the summer and into fall camp, with the starter likely not being decided until right before the season opener.

The takeaway

Colorado's spring game provided encouraging signs for the Buffaloes' offense and defense, with standout performances from key transfers like Henderson and Hopper. However, the quarterback battle remains unsettled, setting up an intriguing competition to watch as the team prepares for the 2026 season.