From Colorado Buffaloes On SI · · 3m
Storm clouds follow Colorado to Evanston
A second weather delay in three weeks could turn Colorado vs. Northwestern into a slugfest on the ground.
In brief
A second weather delay in three weeks could turn Colorado vs. Northwestern into a slugfest on the ground. Rain in Evanston pushes both offenses toward the run, and Colorado's backfield is finally built to win that fight. Originally reported by Colorado Buffaloes On SI.
Calm skies, easy win
Colorado handled Weber State 52-21 at Folsom Field on Sept. 12, playing under clear conditions for once. The Buffs were the ones bringing the heat.
Next stop, Evanston
Colorado hits the road for a Sept. 19 date with Big Ten opponent Northwestern. The trip may come with its own complications.
Rain in the forecast
AccuWeather projects 79 degrees in Evanston with cloudy skies, rain and a chance of thunderstorms. Not ideal conditions for a passing game.
A second delay looms
If lightning shows up, Colorado would face its second weather-delayed game of the young 2026 season. Three weeks in, that is a strange pattern.
“That means Colorado could be facing its second delayed game of the early season.”
Atlanta set the template
In the Sept. 3 opener, thunder and lightning over Bobby Dodd Stadium kept Colorado in the visitor's locker room and pushed kickoff back.
Wet ball, won anyway
Both teams handled a slick football after the storm, and Colorado found another gear. Julian Lewis hit Charlie Williams for a 20-yard touchdown to go up 14-13.
Boo Carter's block
Cornerback Boo Carter blocked a field goal as time expired to finish the road upset. Colorado proved it can win ugly in bad weather.
Lewis struggled in the rain
He just threw for 300 yards for the first time this season, looking like the recruit Sanders flipped from USC. But the Atlanta rain gave him real trouble.
Lean on the run
Deion Sanders and coordinator Brennan Marion may open on the ground to keep Lewis from feeling slippery or antsy if the rain keeps falling.
Ground game is trending up
Colorado sits 11th in the Big 12 in rushing offense, yet its 181.5 yards per game already beats last season's 125.6. New territory under Coach Prime.
Welch leads the backfield
Micah Welch ran for 106 yards on 11 carries against Weber State, his first 100-yard game of the year, and leads the team with 164 rushing yards.
A deep rotation behind him
Sacramento State transfer Damian Henderson II hammers inside, while ex-Hornets JaQuail Smith and Dekalon Taylor supply the speed in Marion's Go-Go offense.
Chip Kelly runs it too
David Braun hired Chip Kelly, who won a national title with Ohio State in 2024. Northwestern put up 497 total yards on South Dakota State, 224 of them rushing.
A run-based collision
Kelly rotates Joseph Himon II, Caleb Komalafe and Gavin Sawchuk. With weather closing in, this one looks like it gets decided between the tackles.
“Especially with Mother Nature already playing an early role.”
The key point
Rain in Evanston pushes both offenses toward the run, and Colorado's backfield is finally built to win that fight.
