The Colorado Buffaloes fell short in their season opener against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, losing 27-20 on Friday. Without playmakers such as Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, the Buffaloes’ offense struggled to find its rhythm, raising questions about the effectiveness of offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur.
Despite a concerted effort to establish a ground game, featuring running backs Micah Welch and Simeon Price, the play-calling was criticized for its predictability during crucial moments. The Buffaloes’ offense managed only eight receptions from their wide receivers, and newly acquired tight end Zach Atkins was not utilized as anticipated. Following the game, DNVR’s Ryan Koenigsberg expressed his frustration, highlighting missed opportunities to engage talented players like wide receiver Omarion Miller, who recorded only one catch for 39 yards.
Shurmur Under Fire
The backlash against Shurmur’s play-calling raises concerns about his future with the team. While it may be premature to label him as being on the “hot seat” after just one game, the criticism is mounting. The lack of offensive production, particularly from the team’s wide receivers, has left fans and analysts questioning whether Shurmur can effectively lead this new group of players.
If head coach Deion Sanders decides to make a change, two other coaching staff members could step in. Tight ends coach Brett Bartolone, who previously served as Sanders’ offensive coordinator at Jackson State, and Byron Leftwich, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator, are considered potential options.
Room for Improvement
Left tackle Jordan Seaton emphasized the importance of keeping the offense simple. “We’re going to establish the run game,” Seaton stated. He believes that a straightforward approach could open up opportunities for the passing game, allowing dual-threat quarterback Kaidon Salter to utilize his legs more effectively. Salter had 13 rushing attempts for 43 yards and one touchdown but acknowledged there were moments where he could have better exploited his dual-threat capabilities.
“I feel like I had those opportunities, but with me being a dual-threat quarterback, I keep my eyes down the field,” Salter explained. “I feel like I had chances to throw the ball downfield and make some plays.” He added that he could have made more use of his ability to run, suggesting a need for improvement in both play-calling and execution.
As the Buffaloes regroup after this initial setback, the focus will be on how Shurmur adapts and whether the team can build on its ground game while finding ways to effectively utilize its offensive talent in future matchups.
