Deion Sanders and Colorado had a tough day, losing 23-13 on Saturday. Early in the game, Sanders benched QB Julian Lewis after a poor performance.

After the game, Sanders explained his reasoning, per Scott Procter of DNVR Buffs. He said he did so to spark something when the team struggled to get going.

“It was a decision I made because I was trying to get us going” Sanders said. “That’s the one thing we have to understand with that position (QB), you don’t have to be the guy.”

Coach Prime on the decision to bench Julian Lewis: “It was a decision I made because I was trying to get us going.”

“That’s the one thing we have to understand with that position (QB), you don’t have to be the guy.” https://t.co/Vr6RQtcRgW pic.twitter.com/Hs1Us3A4L7

— Scott Procter (@ScottProcter_) September 26, 2026

Overall, Lewis finished 11 for 16, for 75 yards and no touchdowns. Isaac Wilson came in to replace him and garnered 156 passing yards and a touchdown. He also completed 12 out of 25 pass attempts. Also, Joseph Williams came in and completed one pass on one attempt for 49 yards.

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As a result, Colorado now falls to 2-2.

It's been a difficult time for the Buffaloes. After winning their first two games, they suffered a whopping 41-7 loss to Northwestern last weekend. Lewis struggled, going 19-for-29 for 168 yards and one touchdown.

Afterward, Sanders said he wants more from Lewis going forward, essentially saying the best is yet to come. Lewis, 19, is in his sophmore season at Colorado. He is a former five-star recruit out of Carrollton, Georgia. Going into this year, he was seen as the engine that could reignite Colorado's offense, especially in maintaining high pass accuracy.

Altogether, Lewis has a QB rating of 52.2 for 658 passing yards, 6 touchdowns, and two interceptions.

Colorado will play against No.11 Texas Tech on Saturday, Oct. 3.