Lewis Earns Manning Star, Big 12 Freshman of the Week Honors
September 14, 2026 | Football
Redshirt freshman set or tied at least 10 school records in Colorado's 52-21 win over Weber State
BOULDER, Colo. — Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis was named a Manning Award Star of the Week and the Big 12 Freshman of the Week on Monday, collecting national and league honors after a record-setting afternoon in the Buffaloes' 52-21 win over Weber State.
Lewis completed 17 of 23 passes for 366 yards and four touchdowns without an interception, posting a 265.0 efficiency rating, and added a rushing touchdown for five scores responsible for. He was on the sideline for the fourth quarter with the game decided.
He is the third Colorado freshman to be named Big 12 Freshman of the Week since the Buffaloes returned to the conference. Shedeur Sanders was the last Buffalo named a Manning Award Star of the Week, earning the honor three times during the 2024 season.
Lewis set or tied at least 10 school records against Weber State, including:
Getting Lewis going early was by design. Asked afterward whether the staff had made a concerted effort to do so, Colorado coach Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders said, "Yes, it was, and we accomplished that goal."
"Statistically, what was it? 17 of 23, 366, four touchdowns and no picks. I'm happy. I'm happy," Coach Prime added.
Colorado piled up 578 yards of total offense, the most the program has gained in a game in the Coach Prime era, and scored 42 points in the first half, also an era high. The 52 points match the era high set in a 52-0 win over Oklahoma State in 2024.
Lewis was less interested in the numbers.
"That's cool — having a couple records. But we're just trying to win the game," Lewis said. "You saw, we're still in that game. Those guys were out there competing against us, so we still got a lot to grow on. Nobody cares about that 300 yards and whatever. That's just onto the next."
He credited the group in front of him for the day.
"I love my big guys," Lewis said. "As y'all can see, we're sitting back there comfortable. The running game's hitting crazy, and all you can ask for as a quarterback is time to throw the ball, and they've been providing that every week."
Through two games Lewis has completed 31 of 50 passes for 490 yards and five touchdowns without an interception. He has yet to throw an interception in seven career games.
Colorado (2-0) plays at Northwestern on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. MT on FOX.
Lewis completed 17 of 23 passes for 366 yards and four touchdowns without an interception, posting a 265.0 efficiency rating, and added a rushing touchdown for five scores responsible for. He was on the sideline for the fourth quarter with the game decided.
He is the third Colorado freshman to be named Big 12 Freshman of the Week since the Buffaloes returned to the conference. Shedeur Sanders was the last Buffalo named a Manning Award Star of the Week, earning the honor three times during the 2024 season.
Lewis set or tied at least 10 school records against Weber State, including:
- Most passing yards in a quarter (212, first quarter), surpassing Joel Klatt's 211 against Texas A&M in 2005
- Most passing touchdowns in a quarter (3, first quarter), tied with six others
- Most passing touchdowns in a half (4), tied with three others
- Most passing touchdowns in a first half (4), outright
- Most passing touchdowns in a game by a redshirt freshman (4), outright
- Most passing touchdowns in a game by any freshman (4), outright
- Highest pass efficiency in a half (311.1), outright
- Most touchdowns responsible for in a half (5), tied with one other
- Most touchdowns responsible for in a first half (5), outright
- Highest pass efficiency in a game, minimum 20 attempts (265.0), outright
Getting Lewis going early was by design. Asked afterward whether the staff had made a concerted effort to do so, Colorado coach Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders said, "Yes, it was, and we accomplished that goal."
"Statistically, what was it? 17 of 23, 366, four touchdowns and no picks. I'm happy. I'm happy," Coach Prime added.
Colorado piled up 578 yards of total offense, the most the program has gained in a game in the Coach Prime era, and scored 42 points in the first half, also an era high. The 52 points match the era high set in a 52-0 win over Oklahoma State in 2024.
Lewis was less interested in the numbers.
"That's cool — having a couple records. But we're just trying to win the game," Lewis said. "You saw, we're still in that game. Those guys were out there competing against us, so we still got a lot to grow on. Nobody cares about that 300 yards and whatever. That's just onto the next."
He credited the group in front of him for the day.
"I love my big guys," Lewis said. "As y'all can see, we're sitting back there comfortable. The running game's hitting crazy, and all you can ask for as a quarterback is time to throw the ball, and they've been providing that every week."
Through two games Lewis has completed 31 of 50 passes for 490 yards and five touchdowns without an interception. He has yet to throw an interception in seven career games.
Colorado (2-0) plays at Northwestern on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. MT on FOX.
Players Mentioned
Monday, September 14
Monday, September 14
Monday, September 14
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