BOULDER — As the seconds ticked off the clock in the third quarter, the majority of the 49,363 in attendance at Folsom Field were already heading out to enjoy the rest of a gorgeous Saturday in the shadow of the Flatirons.

Deion Sanders and Colorado kicked off the 2026 home slate with a 52-21 win over FCS Weber State.

The Buffaloes are 2-0 for the first time since 2023, using a big first half to pull away from the Wildcats with a trip to Northwestern on tap next week to close out the nonconference schedule.

Here are three takeaways from the win:

A first for the Coach Prime era

It’s been somewhat of a running joke that — over three years into Sanders’ tenure — the Buffs still had not had a 100-yard rusher since Alex Fontenot at USC during the dismal 1-11 season in 2022.

Junior running back Micah Welch changed that Saturday, using a 55-yard touchdown run to help him finish with 106 yards on a team-high 11 carries.

CU had 180 rushing yards, building off the season opener at Georgia Tech in which the rushing attack carried the way in the 14-13 win in Atlanta.

Sweetwyne’s debut

After a big day, quarterback Julian Lewis was done in the third quarter as Kaneal Sweetwyne made his collegiate debut with a good chunk of the first-team offense.

It’s not surprising given how fall camp unfolded, but it is interesting that it was the true freshman from Lehi, Utah, that beat out Utah transfer Isaac Wilson for the backup job, especially since coaches praised Wilson’s efforts in the spring.

Sweetwyne scored his first career touchdown on a 9-yard carry on fourth-and-short, putting the Buffs over the 50-point mark in the process. 

Special teams still not special

There still is work to do for the Buffs, particularly on special teams.

Some of that can be chalked up to overeager returners like DeKalon Taylor and Boo Carter trying to make something out of nothing against an inferior opponent. But that will need to be cleaned up as the Buffs prepare for a second road game against a Power 4 opponent, Northwestern.

Kicker Elliott Arnold was a positive. Arnold got his first real shot in a game and delivered, converting a 52-yard field goal on his first attempt and making all seven extra points. He later missed a 47-yard field goal late in the game.