Colorado Buffaloes quarterback questions grow after loss to Baylor

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Colorado football found itself back in a familiar position Saturday after a 23-13 loss to the Baylor Bears in their Big 12 Conference opener. The Buffaloes had more total yards than the Bears and enough defensive stops to stay in the game, but they still lost because the offense couldn't put points on the board or execute big plays.

Head coach Deion Sanders turned to Isaac Wilson to start the second half after Julian Lewis and the offense managed only three points before halftime. Wilson delivered Colorado's best drive of the day, leading a 12-play, 95-yard possession capped by a 17-yard touchdown pass to Joseph Williams that tied the game at 13 with 11:04 remaining.

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It did not last as Baylor quarterback DJ Lagway answered with a 33-yard touchdown pass to Jadon Porter, and the Bears added a 55-yard Rhett Armstrong field goal before JaQuail Smith's late fumble ended Colorado's final realistic chance.

Colorado now drops to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in Big 12 play. Baylor improved to 3-1 and 1-0.

Wilson gave the offense a spark

Wilson finished with 156 passing yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He took two sacks, and the many stalled drives remain the biggest issue, but the offense looked more willing to push the ball downfield once Wilson settled in.

Colorado had every reason to struggle through the air with Danny Scudero, Damian Henderson II and tight end Charlie Williams unavailable at kickoff. DeAndre Moore Jr. left in the first half after taking a hard hit, and tight end Zach Atkins also exited early, leaving Fisher Clements as the lone tight end.

Wilson worked with what remained and leaned on Joseph Williams and Quanell Farrakhan.

Williams caught 11 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown, then added a 49-yard pass on a trick play. He has four touchdowns through four games and has become Colorado's most dependable offensive weapon. Farrakhan stepped into a larger role with seven catches for 117 yards, including a 49-yard gain and a key reception during the drive that pulled Colorado even.

The most impressive play came when Wilson led Colorado on a 95-yard drive in the third quarter and found Joseph Williams for a 17-yard touchdown with 11:04 left in the fourth quarter. The pass fit between Baylor defenders, and the drive is the exact execution Colorado has been looking for over the last two weeks.

Short yardage and fourth downs remain a problem

Colorado's offense has not come close to converting short-yardage situations, which has become a big issue every week. The Buffs went 0-for-2 on fourth down against Baylor, including a fourth-and-1 near midfield that went nowhere. That was the second consecutive game in which Colorado failed to produce a needed yard in a moment that could have changed momentum.

Over the past two games, Colorado has run the ball six times on third- or fourth-and-short and gained only two yards. The Buffaloes totaled 83 rushing yards against Baylor, with Micah Welch leading the way with 35 yards on nine carries. JaQuail Smith had 33 yards on 10 carries before his late fumble gave Baylor the ball at the Colorado 45 with 3:57 left.

The offensive line allowed five sacks, and Colorado went 3-for-15 on third down. Marion deserves credit for building the 95-yard touchdown drive around a beat-up offense, but the short-yardage plan has not worked. Colorado needs more answers on early downs and better calls when they need a yard.

Colorado's defense did its part

Colorado's defense looked like a different group from the one that gave up 41 points at Northwestern, and they deserve credit for keeping them in the game.

Toby Anene had a sack and two tackles for loss, while Gideon Lampron and Liona Lefau recorded eight tackles apiece. Boo Carter had five solo tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup, bringing energy from the opening quarter. Jason Stokes Jr. secured the first interception of his Colorado career against Lagway. At the same time, Randon Fontenette had six tackles and disrupted a Baylor pass at the line of scrimmage while blitzing.

Special teams also continued to be a problem, as Colorado's offense started inside the 10-yard line multiple times. DeKalon Taylor began the game as Colorado's returner on both kickoffs and punts, but by the end, Quentin Gibson had replaced him in both roles. The one constant, however, was kicker Elliott Arnold. The sophomore made both field-goal attempts, connecting from 24 and 36 yards.

Texas Tech game needs a clear answer

Colorado returns to Boulder at 2-2 and 0-1 in Big 12 play, carrying way too many offensive problems that cannot be pushed aside for another week. The Buffaloes return to Folsom Field with likely their toughest matchup of the season against Texas Tech.

Lewis may no longer be the long-term answer, as Wilson showed that experience matters. A video clip from the Colorado sideline showed Brennan Marion telling Lewis, "Stop being scared," before the freshman was replaced to begin the second half. The clip offered an unusually public look at the frustration around Lewis's development (he turned 19 this week) and how he has struggled to play with confidence when the team needs him to step up.

Colorado can't keep waiting for Lewis to work through those issues. The Buffaloes need to name the quarterback who gives them the best chance to win in Big 12 play, and Wilson's performance in Waco gives him a strong claim to that job.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado Buffaloes quarterback questions grow after loss to Baylor

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