Coach Prime unleashing Colorado’s ground attack on Georgia Tech
Colorado running back Micah Welch runs over a Georgia Tech defender Friday August 29, 2025 at Folsom Field. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
BOULDER, Colo. — Deion Sanders is looking to start off his fourth season with the Buffaloes on a high note, but will have to go through a quality opponent on the road to accomplish that feat.
Coach Prime is no stranger to hostile road environments, so he’s preparing true sophomore quarterback Julian Lewis for what he may encounter at Bobby Dodd Stadium Thursday night. All eyes will be on the matchup between Colorado and Georgia Tech, and the venue packs 52,000-plus fans.
The plan is for Colorado to take the crowd out of the game early, similar to what it did against TCU a couple of years ago. Coach Prime knows a potent ground game can kill three birds with one stone by consistently moving the chains, controlling the clock and wearing down the defense.
However, the Buffaloes averaged a mere 125.8 rush yards per game in 2025, which ranked 104th nationally. Coach Prime could care less about last year’s stats, because he sees the potential in the offense, especially the ground attack. In his eyes running the ball is the recipe for success on the road.
“I want to see the explosiveness of some of the backs that we have, because we’ve been seeing it, and I want to see that once again,” Sanders said. “We got some guys that are really fast man, I mean they can go, they can change the dynamics of a game instantaneously, we just gotta get the ball to them.”
Micah Welch, Richard Young, Dekalon Taylor, Bryce Hicks and JaQuail Smith are just some of the rushers in the backfield, and Coach Prime believes depth at the position will be a strength for the offense. Everyone is hungry for carries against the YellowJackets, and bring different types of value to the position, and that’s what Coach Prime likes.
“You’re going to see four running backs I promise you, at least four, possibly five,” he said. “You’re going to see that number because a few of these guys are complete, but some of their skill sets are so high in this area, that they can catch the ball out of the backfield, or run off-tackle, and do outside and inside zones.”
Georgia Tech has a new Defensive Coordinator in Jason Semore, and his scheme centers around taking the ball away, and causing turnovers. Which is why Coach Prime is emphasizing ball security. Everything starts up front though, and the offensive line will have to execute.
The Buffaloes will have a slim margin for error on the road, so false starts, bad snaps, and holding penalties from the offensive line will not be tolerated. Coach Prime is confident that the big boys up front are mentally ready for the task at hand.
“The offensive line is doing a wonderful job in the run, as well as the pass game in making the quick decisions to get the ball to these playmakers,” the 59-year old said.
It’s no mystery that the Buffaloes are the underdogs in this matchup, and Coach Prime wants them to channel that doubt, and use it as motivation against the opposition. If Lewis can manage the game, and the offensive line take care of the trenches by opening up holes, Coach Prime feels the running backs will take advantage of the spotlight.
“We have to put it in their hands quickly, and let them do what they do.”
