Through 13 spring practices, the Colorado football team doesn’t have much clarity on its quarterback competition, but that’s just fine with offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur.

“I’d like to see them both be doing things where, at the end of it, it would be a flip of the coin who plays,” Shurmur, who also coaches quarterbacks, said Tuesday. “That’s what I’m looking for.”

CU will wrap up spring practices with its annual Black & Gold scrimmage at Folsom Field on Saturday (2:30 p.m., ESPN2). It’ll be the first opportunity for fans to get a live look at the players battling to replace star Shedeur Sanders, who is a little more than a week away from getting his named called during the NFL Draft.

Senior Kaidon Salter, who transferred to CU from Liberty, and true freshman Julian “JuJu” Lewis are the frontrunners for the job, although third-year sophomore Ryan Staub is battling also.

“I see them challenging each other,” Shurmur said. “It’s a super healthy quarterback room, too. They’re just all trying to do the best with the plays that I give them. I’m getting a feel for the ones that Kaidon can do that fit his skill set, and I certainly know the ones that JuJu can execute.

“That’s part of coaching, too. I mean, you got to play to the strengths of the guy that you have, so that allows our offense to kind of grow wide and deep.”

CU was one of the most prolific passing offenses in the country last year with Sanders, who shattered single-season school records for completion percentage (74.0), passing yards (4,134) and passing touchdowns (37).

How the Buffs look in 2025 will be different, but Shurmur said the basic goal remains the same.

“My only concern for our offense is when the ball goes down, we’ve got to go score touchdowns,” he said. “So we can run it across the goal line, we can throw it across, we can send it via text; I don’t care. We need to get the ball across the goal line. That’s the challenge. Last year we did it a certain way, and this year we may do it the same way, but my sense is it’s going to be a little bit different.”

Salter is the most experienced of the group, as he was a 29-game starter at Liberty, going 21-4 in his last two years with the Flames. He has thrown for 5,887 yards, 56 touchdowns and only 17 interceptions during his career, while adding 2,063 yards and 21 touchdowns as a runner. He was the Conference USA Most Valuable Player in 2023.

Lewis, meanwhile, is a five-star recruit who enrolled at CU a year-and-a-half early and is just getting his feet wet with college football. Staub is going into his third year with the Buffs.

“The three quarterbacks that are performing are doing a good job,” Shurmur said. “I see improvement every day. They’re all kind of on a different stage of their journey. Obviously, Kaidon’s got one year left, and he’s learning what we’re doing very well.

“JuJu is a young man with an amazing amount of talent that’s got a bright future, and he’s doing extremely well. And then Ryan Staub … we grade everything they do and Ryan is grading out very well each day. He’s making plays. And so we feel good about his progress, along with the other guys in the room, (walk-ons) Colton (Allen) and obviously (Dominiq Ponder), they do a good job as well.”

Shurmur added that he is “more and more impressed every day” with Lewis, adding he’s seen a lot of physical development, as well.

“He’s bigger and stronger, and every day he does something that shows you why he’s here and why we’re glad he is here,” Shurmur said. “Very, very, very talented young man. Really all the things you need to do as a quarterback, he can do. Now it’s just a matter of him growing in what we do and getting himself ready to play.”

On Saturday, former Memphis starter Xavier Hill announced that he has verbally committed to CU for his final season of college eligibility.

The 6-foot-4, 318-pound senior earned first-team All-American Athletic Conference honors this past season. He was second-team All-AAC in 2023.

Hill started all 26 games over the past two years for the Tigers, helping them go 21-5. Hill finished the 2024 season at right tackle, but played more snaps at left guard (490) than at right tackle (464). In 2023, he played at right tackle (491 snaps), left tackle (246) and left guard (182).

Pro Football Focus had Hill as the highest-rated offensive player for the Tigers in 2024, and he received a grade of 86.4 for his pass blocking. Nationally, only 27 linemen who played at least 100 snaps had a better pass blocking grade on PFF.

Per PFF, Hill allowed two sacks and 14 pressures this past season. He allowed just two sacks in 2023.

A three-star recruit coming out of Olive Branch (Miss.) High School in 2020, Hill began his career at LSU, appearing in six games during his three years there. He was ranked as a top-20 guard coming out of high school by Rivals.com.

Hill is the fifth transfer addition of the offseason for CU’s offensive line, with the other four already on campus this spring. The list includes 30-game starter Zy Crisler from Illinois and multi-year starting center Zarian McGill from Louisiana Tech. Aki Ogunbiyi from Texas A&M and Mana Taimani from Mississippi are also competing his spring.

“It wasn’t cool at all,” Phillips joked, “because he was in the backfield, and I don’t want to lose him early to the pros or to the backfield, so it wasn’t cool from that standpoint.”

It is pretty cool, though, that Miller was the only player showcasing his skills for scouts that will be back with the Buffaloes this year. The other 16 – headlined by star quarterback Shedeur Sanders and receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter – are preparing for the NFL draft.

That Miller was invited to participate as one of the receivers catching passes from Sanders is a testament to his talent and his rapport with one of the best quarterbacks in the country.

“What that was, it was basically Shedeur having trust in him,” Phillip said. “To see his maturation, how when he first got here as a freshman to where he is now, to where a guy that’s a potential first round draft pick (Sanders) believes in him enough to have him be a part of his workout, so that was pretty cool.”

It wasn’t long ago that Miller first arrived at CU as a true freshman last summer. But, in that time, the 5-foot-11, 205-pound receiver has shown flashes of being a star.

With the ability to run the ball, Miller actually made two starts at running back last year. He ran the ball four times for 10 yards, but became a reliable threat as a receiver. Despite playing behind four NFL-bound seniors, Miller finished with 32 catches for 277 yards and three touchdowns in 2024.

“Just growing as a player,” he said of earning a role in 2024. “It’s way different from high school, just in attention to detail. Just listen to your coaches, quarterbacks, my receiver room. I listened to everything they had to say to me. And I feel like I had to pay attention to everything, that I had to soak up everything like a sponge.”

Now, despite being just a sophomore, Miller is a potential leader in the receiver room. He has more career catches than anyone in the room.

“I’m just coming out there now and showing all the new freshmen, the new transfers, how to do things like that,” he said.

“I feel like I’m doing very well so far (as a leader). This is my first spring, actually, because I came late May (last year). So just learning all the knowledge from the seniors last year, and just learning from LaJohntay (Wester), his leadership, and just taking over that role. Just trying to be a leader in the receiver room.”

Miller has plenty of talent around him, including junior Omarion Miller (no relation) and Tulsa transfer Joseph Williams. But, Miller is expected to have a big role in the CU offense.

“I expect him to pick up where he left off (last year),” Phillips said. “It took about week three, four or five before you actually saw what he was capable of. … I just expect Drelon to pick up where he left off, be a leader for those guys too, because he’s walked that path.”

Miller said he hopes to get chances in the backfield as a runner, as he did last year, but simply wants the ball in his hands.

“Just put me back there, I’ll be happy,” he said. “As long as I got the ball in my hand, I’m gonna have a smile on my face. So put me anywhere on the field, I’ll make something happen.”

In fact, he’s even excited making an impact without the ball as he blocks for teammates.

“Hopefully I get a couple pancakes this year,” he said.

As for the pro day experience, Miller said it was a confidence boost, even though he’s not draft eligible until 2027.

“It boosted me a lot, honestly,” he said. “It was big, all the scouts out there, and just to experience all that. And, just to be there with those (graduating) guys, probably my last time on the field with them for a while. I had a blast with them.”

Scott Proctor of DNVR was first to report Wednesday that Augustave has moved on and BuffZone confirmed that report through sources. It’s unclear why the junior has left the team.

Safety Savion Riley and tight end Sam Hart are also no longer with the team.

Augustave had been with the Buffs throughout the offseason and the first few weeks of spring football. He participated in practice on April 1, but has not been seen in the videos posted by Well Off Media from the three practices since.

A transfer from Arkansas last year, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Augustave emerged as CU’s top running back. He led CU with 85 carries for 384 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 4.5 yards per carry.

Augustave was expected to be the front-runner for the starting job this year, but he is now the first of last year’s scholarship backs to leave the team. The other four scholarship backs from 2024 – Dallan Hayden, Brandon Hood, Charlie Offerdahl and Micah Welch – are all competing this spring.

Walk-ons Titus Bautista and Christian Sarem are also competing at running back.

Riley came to CU last year after playing two seasons at Vanderbilt and spending the 2024 spring at Miami. He recorded 12 tackles in nine games, mostly playing on special teams.

Hart transferred to CU from Ohio State last year. The Cherokee Trail High School graduate played in the first six games before suffering a season-ending injury. He caught one pass for a 1-yard loss.

The time between the end of the college football season and the draft is filled with pundits forming opinions and creating narratives about particular players. When that player is a quarterback and the son of an all-time great, the criticism is going to be a bit louder.

So it is for Sanders’ son, Shedeur, the now former Colorado Buffaloes star who is projected to be a first-round selection in the NFL Draft on April 24.

“You gotta understand, when that last name is on your back, you’re going to be attacked and ridiculed and naysayed,” said Deion Sanders, CU’s third-year head coach and a Pro Football Hall of Famer who was selected with the No. 5 pick in 1989. “We’re built for that. He was raised for this moment.”

Throughout his college career, Shedeur shined week after week. He became just the second player in Division I history to throw for over 14,000 yards (14,353) while completing at least 70% of his passes (70.6%).

Only 13 players in D-I history have thrown for more yards and only seven have thrown more touchdown passes (134). He also set a D-I record by throwing a touchdown pass in 49 consecutive games – each of his last 49 career games.

“But all of a sudden his arm is weak,” Coach Prime said, referring to one of the criticisms thrown at his son as the draft approaches.

Because he’s a quarterback and the son of Deion Sanders – who offends some people with his extreme confidence – and in part because he’s shown some of his own brashness at times, pundits are all over the board on where Shedeur will land in the draft.

It is widely believed that Sanders is one of the top two QB prospects, along with Miami’s Cam Ward, who is Shedeur’s good friend and training partner.

“I feel like I’m the No. 1 quarterback,” Shedeur said Friday after CU’s pro day in front of 70 NFL scouts. “At the end of the day, I’m not stuck on that, because it’s about the situation. Whatever situation, whatever franchise believes in me and gives me the opportunity, I’m excited to go. So wherever that falls, it don’t really matter.”

Most projections have the Tennessee Titans taking Ward with the No. 1 pick, but reports are that the Titans like Shedeur, as well.

On Thursday, Shedeur had dinner with front office personnel from the Cleveland Browns, who have the No. 2 pick. He’s also met with the New York Giants, who have the No. 3 pick but have recently signed two veteran quarterbacks (Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston).

The Las Vegas Raiders (No. 6) and New Orleans Saints (No. 9) have been common projections for Sanders, too. Other mock drafts have him slipping to late in the first round or even into the second round.

At this point, it’s mainly a waiting game over the next few weeks, now that pro day is complete.

“Now I’m able to go back in the zone and work on everything I need to work on and get better,” he said. “So I’m just excited that we got this (pro day), we done this, we got it out the way, and now I could get back in my rhythm of my off season.”

Shedeur has heard plenty of the criticism, not just during the pre-draft process, but throughout his life. He’s grown up in the spotlight as Deion Sanders’ son.

“The one thing I learned is just not really care about anybody’s opinion but those around,  those that matter, so none of that stuff really affects me,” said Shedeur, who starred for two years at Jackson State before his two stellar seasons at CU. “I don’t really care too much about what a lot of people have to say that’s not in my intimate group.”

Shedeur’s character has come into question by some, but those close to him – family, friends and teammates – have always spoke highly of him.

“Truthfully, whenever I talk to all these (NFL) coaches and the teams, they really don’t care about all this stuff people say on media,” he said. “That’s why I don’t respond. That’s why I don’t say anything anymore, because (the teams) truly don’t care, or they really don’t know. They care about ball. And I don’t have any character issues, so I don’t know. What’s the knock?”

There will be always be some knocks against the top prospects, but as the draft approaches, Shedeur remains confident in himself, even as he’s likely to go to a team that hasn’t won much in recent years and will look to him to turn it around.

“I don’t think Jackson State or Colorado had a winning history before I got there,” he said of his track record of turning around teams. “So it’s just another day in the office, another year in the office for me. It’s the same thing over and over and that’s what I enjoy about life, because I understand how to approach different situations and what to do different.

“I’m just thankful for the opportunity and whoever drafts me, whatever pick, it truly don’t matter to me, because I know in myself who I am. And I know what I bring to the table. So whoever sees the value or not will be very lucky to get me. … Wherever I go, it’s definitely going to be improvement (over) what it was before I got there.”

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On Friday, CU athletic director Rick George announced a new five-year, $54 million contract for Sanders that will make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the country. The contract was unanimously approved by CU’s board of regents on Friday morning.

“Coach Prime has revolutionized college football and in doing so, has restored CU football to our rightful place as a national power,” George said in a news release. “This extension not only recognizes coach’s incredible accomplishments transforming our program on and off the field, it keeps him in Boulder to compete for conference and national championships in the years to come.”

The deal, which runs through the 2029 season, will pay Sanders, who was already the highest-paid coach in CU history, $10 million in base salary in 2025 and 2026; $11 million in 2027 and 2028; and $12 million in 2029. There is also the potential to earn more through incentives.

Sanders, who is 13-12 in his two seasons at CU, joins an exclusive club of college football coaches making eight-figure salaries. His $10.8 million yearly average ties him with Texas’ Steve Sarkisian for the fifth-largest annual average, according to CBS Sports. Sanders is one of only nine coaches slated to make at least $10 million in 2025, led by Georgia’s Kirby Smart, who averages $13.2 million annually.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to continue building something special here at Colorado,” Sanders said in a press release. “We’ve just scratched the surface of what this program can be. It’s not just about football; it’s about developing young men who are ready to take on the world.

“I’m committed to bringing greatness to this university, on and off the field. We’ve got work to do, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but here, making history with these incredible players and this passionate fan base. Lastly, anybody got at least a five bedroom home with acreage for sale?”

Sanders had three years and $18.3 million left on the original five-year, $29.5 million deal he signed after he was hired in December of 2022. That contract made him, by far, the highest-paid coach in CU history. This new contract replaces the old deal.

A Pro Football Hall of Famer and arguably the best cornerback to ever play the game, Sanders is one of the most recognizable figures in sports, particularly in college football. In addition to restoring some success on the field, Sanders has brought unprecedented notoriety to a CU program that was listless before his arrival.

When Sanders was hired, CU had just completed a 1-11 season — with 10 losses by at least 23 points — and was considered the worst team among the Power Five conferences. Sanders was fresh off a three-year run with Jackson State, where he took the Tigers from a losing team to two consecutive SWAC titles.

At CU, Sanders immediately infused talent into the program, led by his son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and star cornerback/receiver Travis Hunter.

Although the Buffs were just 4-8 in Sanders’ first season, in 2023, they lost five games by one score.

In 2024, CU went 9-4 and competed for the Big 12 title until the final week of the regular season. The Buffs landed in the Alamo Bowl, just the third bowl appearance for the program in the last 17 years.

Hunter, who won the Heisman Trophy as the top player in college football, and Shedeur are both projected as top-five picks in next month’s NFL Draft. Several other Buffs are draft hopefuls, as well.

Under Coach Prime, the Buffs have become a must-see program, in person and on television.

In 25 games, CU has played in front of a sold-out stadium 21 times, including 10 out of 12 games at Folsom Field. During the 21 seasons before Sanders’ arrival, the Buffs sold out just 11 of 122 games. In 2023, CU sold out every game at home for the first time in program history.

CU has been on national network TV or ESPN for 21 of its 25 games the last two years and drew more than 54 million viewers during the 2024 season. That includes 8 million for the Alamo Bowl, the highest ratings in that event’s history and the most-watched non-playoff bowl game in five years.

In addition, CU’s 2023 spring game was the only one televised nationally on ESPN. This year’s spring game, slated for April 19, will be broadcast on ESPN2.

Under Coach Prime, CU has seen its social media brand skyrocket. The football team’s Instagram account has grown from 63,000 followers to about 1.1 million, and the program’s Twitter/X account has grown from 98,560 to 296,800.

The Buffs have also gained national exposure through two seasons of the “Coach Prime” documentary on Amazon Prime and through YouTube channels – most notably Well Off Media, run by Deion Sanders Jr. – that chronicle the daily life of the team and Sanders family.

In the past two years, CU football has had millions of dollars in economic impact to the city of Boulder, and there has been record numbers for the university’s enrollment and applications, merchandise sales, and the team’s academic performance.

CU saw an increase of 20% in applications, including 18% increase from out-of-state applicants. Applications from prospective students who identify as Black/African American increased 50.5%, and applications from prospective students who identify as non-white increased 29.3%.

In 2024, home football games brought a combined $93.9 million in direct economic impact to Boulder and $146.5 million in total regional economic impact.

The football team posted its best term GPA in program history last fall semester with a mark of 3.011, the first time in program history they’ve recorded above a GPA of 3.0.

“CU Boulder is one of the most innovative campuses in the country, so it’s only natural and appropriate that we have the most innovative coach as well,” chancellor Justin Schwartz said in a press release.

Inside Deion Sanders’ 5-year, $54 million contract extension with CU Buffs

“Coach Prime has done a masterful job transforming CU Boulder’s football program into the must-watch matchup nationwide, week after week, and I’m excited to see what the team will accomplish under his leadership in the next five years. He is also committed to a program with the highest level of integrity that emphasizes our student-athletes’ academic performance and helps them achieve their post-football career goals.”

If Sanders leaves the Buffs for a professional or college job before Dec. 31 of this year, he would owe CU $12 million in liquidated damages. That number drops to $10 million if he leaves before Dec. 31, 2026; $6 million before Dec. 31, 2027; $4 million before Dec. 31, 2028; and $3 million before Dec. 31, 2029.

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The University of Colorado is replacing its natural grass turf and going to an artificial surface at Folsom Field for the first time since 1998.

Installed by AstroTurf, CU’s new field will be similar to the artificial surfaces that are used around the country at all levels of athletics. The project will start shortly after the Bolder Boulder, which takes place May 26, and is expected to be completed before July 1 – weather permitting. Folsom Field is hosting three Phish concerts July 3-5.

“I think putting turf down there gives us flexibility, certainly with the change in the College Football Playoff,” CU athletic director Rick George told BuffZone. “Being a northern school, you don’t grow grass after October, and having a game in December (for the CFP) was a big part of that consideration. Plus, it gives us another field that we can practice on daily that will benefit our football program.”

Concerts played a role in the decision, as well, because now Folsom can host non-football events during the fall or other times of the year. With a grass field, concerts have been limited to summer months because of the process of keeping the field in good shape for football game days.

“It gives you flexibility on timing on when you could host an event, and it’ll give us an opportunity to potentially host an event in the fall that we wouldn’t ever be able to do because with grass,” George said. “And, look, we’re one of the few schools in the north that have had grass this long. So I think the timing is right for us to do that.”

Last year, 69.4% (93 of 134) of the schools in the Football Bowl Subdivision played on artificial surfaces. Of the 41 schools that used natural grass, 31 are located in the South, California or Arizona. (North Carolina has been using an artificial turf but announced in January it is going back to natural grass this year.)

CU played five of its seven away games on artificial surfaces last year. Folsom Field will become the 11th football stadium in the Big 12 with artificial turf.

The cost to make the switch will be about $1 million, but CU expects to save money on field maintenance over the life of the surface. CU is hoping to get 12-15 years out of the surface before replacing it.

Folsom will feature AstroTurf’s RootZone 3D3 system, which has a layer of fibers designed for better shock absorbency and to minimize rubber splash. According to the AstroTurf website, the RootZone 3D3 field also “improves safety, playability and durability.”

Underneath the AstroTurf will be a 20-millimeter thick shock pad manufactured by Brock, a Boulder-based company that started in 1998 to make artificial surfaces safer for athletes.

CU’s field will have the “Ralphie” logo at midfield, Big 12 logos, and the word “Buffaloes” across the end zones, which will be black.

The 101-year-old Folsom Field has had natural grass for most of its existence, but there was a 28-season period (1971-1998) in which the football team played on a now-outdated version AstroTurf. During those 28 seasons, CU had three different AstroTurf surfaces.

CU went back to natural grass in the spring of 1999, while also installing a bio-thermal heating, drainage and sub-air system.

Now, Folsom Field will become the latest venue to install a synthetic field, which is used in thousands of stadiums around the world. The Buffs practice on artificial turf frequently in their Indoor Practice Facility (IPF) at the Champions Center.

“I think AstroTurf has improved a lot over the last 15-20 years,” George said. “We think it’s a really good surface for us to play on, and particularly as we get into late November and potentially hosting (playoff games) in December. It just makes a lot of sense to do that.”

According to CU, the switch to the artificial surface will not impact the ability of Ralphie, the school’s live buffalo mascot, to make her traditional runs in pregame and halftime of home football games.

Following retirement from a 15-year NFL career, Domata Peko was content with enjoying time off in 2021.

“I took like a year off, where I didn’t do much football,” the former Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos defensive lineman said. “I thought that once I was done playing for 15 years, I was just going to sit at home, enjoy the family and all that.”

Instead, Peko has found a new passion, which has led him to Boulder as the defensive line coach for the Colorado Buffaloes.

“I felt like God has been pushing me in this direction, and just the love for the game, and I really love it,” said Peko, who was hired last month. “I’m a competitive guy, and just to get back out to coaching and helping these young guys on their journeys, that’s what really brings me here, man. Just trying to shine my light and get these guys to be the best version of themselves. That’s what makes my day. I really enjoy coaching.”

The 40-year-old Peko retired after playing the 2020 season with the Arizona Cardinals and he spent last year working as a defensive assistant with the Dallas Cowboys.

Peko landed in Boulder because of his connection with long-time NFL coach Mike Zimmer, his defensive coordinator for six seasons in Cincinnati. Zimmer, a long-time mentor of CU head coach Deion Sanders, brought Peko to Dallas last year and then recommended him to Sanders this winter.

Peko has also known CU defensive coordinator Robert Livingston for years, as Livingston spent the past 12 years with the Bengals – the first five of those with Peko on the team.

“It’s all through networking and through relationships,” Peko said. “I thank God for this opportunity. I’m truly blessed to be here and to be under some great coaches and the things that Colorado has done the past three years, I feel like the world has noticed it.

“Man, I remember being in Dallas and on Saturdays where we’re all eating dinner, we’re like we couldn’t wait to find where Colorado is playing. So the energy, this opportunity and a chance to go to the next level here is what brought me here.”

Peko, who starred at Michigan State before being selected in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Bengals, said coaching was not always on his radar. But, as he became an older player, those thoughts changed.

Peko spent 11 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals before playing two years (2017-18) with the Broncos, one with the Baltimore Ravens and one with the Cardinals. He started 194 of his 214 career games, including every game he played from 2007-2018, recording 616 tackles, 47 tackles for loss, 20 sacks and 50 quarterback hits.

“I felt like as I got older in my career, I became like a player-coach,” he said. “And once I got to, like, year 10, people just kept looking up to me, like, ‘Hey, Peko, what I do on this? Peko, what do I do on this block?’ And I just felt like I was a player-coach from when I was playing, my last five years of playing.”

When the opportunity at CU came up this winter, Peko said it was a blessing, but he had long talks and prayers with his wife and kids about the job.

“We had to make a decision,” he said. “We all live in California right now, my wife and my three boys, so we prayed about it, asked God about it and then we talked about it as a family. My kids, they’re all football players. They’re like, ‘Dad, you better go take that job.’ And they’re like, ‘Go do it.’ So my wife and my kids were pushing me to do it.”

He’s glad they did because it didn’t take long for Peko to feel the energy in the building at CU and starting adding his own flavor to the staff.

“I’m so happy that I’m here now,” he said. “Once I got into the door, man, I could see why this team has been so successful over the past couple years, because of the energy they have here, the great coaching staff they have. Not only that, the players. The players are hungry and they want to get better. I feel like that’s the name of the game in football.

“It’s what have you done for us now? And then also, what are we gonna do tomorrow? Let’s keep stacking great days and keep getting better and sharpen each other up. But definitely love being here and happy I got that call and happy to be the D-line coach here.”

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After three consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, including back-to-back Sweet 16s, the bar has been raised by head coach JR Payne and her staff. Coming up just short of the NCAA Tournament and falling at home to Gonzaga on Sunday in the second round of the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament didn’t meet the standard.

The 2024-25 campaign wasn’t easy, by any means, but was impressive when considering the challenges faced by the Buffs.

Despite a roster overhaul, a jump from the Pac-12 to the Big 12 and a plethora of injuries, Payne still managed to lead the Buffs to a 20-win season (21-13) and a fifth consecutive trip to the postseason. As a No. 1 seed in the WBIT, the Buffs were one of the first four teams to miss out in the 68-team NCAA Tournament field. Just one more win along the way might have landed them in March Madness.

“This year’s ball club has been through a lot, even before the season started, with 10 new players and only having a couple returners that had played significant minutes (in previous years),” Payne said. “We felt like this team had a ton of potential, but that it was going to take a take some time to get to where we could be, and we didn’t factor in all the injuries and stuff that we were going to have.

“So in spite of all of that, just unbelievably proud of our team for their resilience, cohesiveness, just everything that we’ve accomplished this year.”

In large part because of the injuries, this team never did reach its full potential.

It was clear a year ago, after the Buffs lost to Caitlin Clark and Iowa in the Sweet 16, that this year would be a much different challenge for Payne and her staff.

Stars Jaylyn Sherrod and Quay Miller graduated, Aaronette Vonleh was lured away by Baylor, Tameiya Sadler used her bonus COVID season at Mississippi and five youngsters who didn’t get much playing time transferred out.

To rebuild, the Buffs leaned on their three returning seniors – Frida Formann, Sara-Rose Smith and Kindyll Wetta – while adding six transfers and four freshmen.

Missouri State transfer Jade Masogayo (12.5 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game) posted the fifth-best single-season field goal percentage (.599) in program history and was perhaps CU’s most reliable performer each night.

Lior Garzon (Oklahoma State), Nyamer Diew (Iowa State) and Johanna Teder (Washington State) all provided some good moments. Redshirt freshman Kennedy Sanders and true freshmen Tabitha Betson and Grace Oliver – as well as Erin Powell on a few occasions – stepped up, as well.

Even with challenges of getting everyone on the same page – challenges that lasted all year – this was a team that, when fully healthy, could play with anyone, with victories over No. 14 West Virginia and No. 10 Kansas State as proof. They also nearly upset No. 6 TCU in the Big 12 tournament quarterfinals.

But, the Buffs were rarely fully healthy. The full rotation was available for just eight of 34 games, none of those after Jan. 4. Formann, the program’s all-time leader in 3-pointers (300) and the top scorer (12.5 points per game), missed 18 games, including the last 14.

“(Missing Formann) was really difficult, just because she was the most experienced player in the program,” Payne said. “So that was tough in and of itself, with 10 new players.”

Overall, the rotation missed 45 games due to injuries – almost as many as the previous five years combined (46). Teder was the only player who participated in all 34 games.

Injuries to Formann and others sometimes forced Buffs to play out of position. Other players, particularly Smith over the last month, didn’t practice much, if at all, to preserve some health for game nights.

“But, the great thing about our team is, everyone’s been very willing. We have a bunch of players that want to work, they want to play,” Payne said. “Having kids like that that are willing and able to say, ‘Yeah, I’m not sure exactly how to do it, but I’ll give it my best,’ has been very fortunate for us.”

In the new era of college sports, where the transfer portal and NIL payments dominate offseason talk, there will be challenges this offseason, too. Freshman Lova Lagerlid, who played in just three games, has already announced she will transfer, and she likely won’t be alone in jumping to the portal.

But, Payne and her staff will strive once again to meet the program standard in 2025-26.

“We’ve had a lot of success in recent years in the NCAA Tournament,” Payne said. “That’s the expectation is to be there every year and to make a deep run. Going back-to-back Sweet 16s was pretty big for this program. And so that’s our expectation every year.”

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Why the Buffs lost: Shots that normally fall didn’t, turnovers hit at bad times and the Buffs couldn’t get enough stops in the second half to make a run.

Three stars:

1. Gonzaga’s Yvonne Ejim: The All-American finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.

2. Gonzaga’s Allie Turner: Star freshman had 15 points, five assists, four rebounds and hit some dagger 3-pointers.

3. CU’s Lior Garzon: Scored a team-high 15 points, including three 3-pointers, and dished out two assists.

Up next: CU heads to the offseason, which is sure to include several roster changes.

From the start of the season to the end, there were plenty of positives and plenty of challenges for the Colorado women’s basketball team.

In a way, Sunday’s matchup against Gonzaga epitomized the entire campaign.

There was good effort and a strong start from the No. 1-seeded Buffaloes, but too many mistakes and not enough in the tank at the end, as they fell to fourth-seeded Gonzaga, 64-55, in the second round of the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament at the CU Events Center.

“For today, tremendous effort; two really good teams,” CU head coach JR Payne said. “Anyone that’s playing right now is really good and really experienced and all of that. So I thought both teams played really hard and I was proud of our effort.

“I don’t think anyone in (Gonzaga’s) 35 games they’ve played, no one’s tied them on the glass, so great execution there. But really, the game is kind of irrelevant at this point.”

Irrelevant in that CU (21-13) now turns its focus to the offseason after what was a difficult, yet successful, season. A roster overhaul brought in 10 new players and the injury bug bit the Buffs all season, as their main rotation missed 45 games due to injury – almost as many as the previous five years combined (46).

“It’s a very unconventional year and very different than the past three years that I’ve had here,” senior guard Kindyll Wetta said. “But with that also comes change and excitement, and there were some really good things that came out of this year too, but yes, definitely brought on different challenges.”

Still, the Buffs got to 21 wins and played in the postseason for a fifth consecutive season, and there were emotions that came with Sunday’s finish.

Wetta was one of five seniors who played in their last collegiate game. Nyamer Diew, Lior Garzon, Sara-Rose Smith and Johanna Teder also played in their final game. Another senior, all-time 3-point leader Frida Formann, saw her career officially come to a close, as well, although she hasn’t played since Jan. 29 because of a foot injury.

“You sort of feel like you’re ending your career sort of prematurely,” said Smith, who battled through a foot injury over the last month, but gave the Buffs a strong six minutes Sunday, with five points, a steal and a block. “It’s emotional, and it’s something that you know is coming down the pipeline your whole career. But I’m just grateful for the relationships that I’ve had and the experiences that I’ve had. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Wetta, who went to Valor Christian High School and played her entire collegiate career in front of family, posted four points and four assists in her finale.

“It’s sad, but I think I started to process this on senior night, and so I’ve known that it’s going to be coming to an end here soon,” she said. “I’m going to miss my teammates more than anything. It’s a great atmosphere, great people. Love them to death, but I know that those will be lifelong relationships that I will always have.”

As usual on Sunday, CU’s effort wasn’t a problem. Under Payne, the Buffs are almost surely going to give strong effort. Execution was an issue at times, though.

CU led 10-2 early after a pair of Garzon 3-pointers and held a 14-9 lead midway through the first quarter. At that point, the Buffs were 6-of-10 from the floor with no turnovers. During the last 35 minutes, though, they were 12-of-36 (33.3%) with 16 turnovers.

Gonzaga grabbed the lead for good on an Allie Turner 3-pointer with 5:06 to play in the third quarter. That sparked a 13-2 run and CU never recovered.

“I thought we got some good looks that didn’t fall like maybe they normally do,” Payne said. “I also think (the Bulldogs) are really, really long, and contest shots very well on the perimeter, and inside things were pretty contested.”

As Gonzaga (24-10) moves on to the quarterfinals to face Minnesota, the Buffs now head to the offseason, reflecting on a season that, despite challenges, produced a fourth consecutive 20-win record.

“I told the team I was really proud of the way everyone persevered throughout the season,” Payne said. “There were so many challenges and different things, and it wasn’t just one or two people that stepped up when they were needed.

“It was every single person, every staff member, every one that touched our program did more than they needed to at different times, and really proud of our players for sort of having that resilience throughout the season.”

Notable

Sunday’s second round was tough for No. 1 seeds in the WBIT, as Virginia Tech lost 69-59 at home to Texas Tech and St. Joseph’s lost at home to Villanova, 62-60. The other No. 1 seed, James Madison, needed a rally to beat Marquette, 80-76 in overtime. … Wetta topped the 700-point mark for her career (703) and finished with 480 career assists, ranking seventh in program history. … This was CU’s eighth all-time trip to the WNIT or WBIT and just the second time it failed to win at least two games. The only other time was the first trip to the WNIT in 1999. … CU fell to 24-8 all-time in postseason home games. … Sunday’s attendance (1,860) was third-largest in 16 home games in the Buffs’ WBIT/WNIT history.

Gonzaga 64, Colorado 55

GONZAGA (24-10)

O’Connor 2-9 0-0 5, Huijbens 4-9 0-0 9, Dalton 2-5 2-2 7, Turner 6-8 0-0 15, Ejim 7-14 1-2 15, Little 1-2 0-0 2, Bettencourt 1-5 0-0 3, Osarobo 0-0 0-0 0, Dalan 0-0 0-0 0, Salenbien 2-5 2-2 8. Totals 25-57 5-6 64.

COLORADO (21-13)

Garzon 4-11 4-4 15, Masogayo 4-6 3-6 11, Wetta 1-5 1-2 4, Betson 1-5 2-2 4, Teder 1-1 0-0 2, Johnson 1-1 0-0 2, Sanders 2-6 0-0 4, Smith 1-1 2-2 5, Diew 2-8 2-3 6, Oliver 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 18-46 14-19 55.

Gonzaga                      15        11        25        13        –           64

Colorado                     16        9          17        13        –           55

3-point goals – Gonzaga 9-21 (Turner 3-4, Salenbien 2-3, O’Connor 1-7, Huijbens 1-3, Bettencourt 1-2, Dalton 1-1, Ejim 0-1), Colorado 5-18 (Garzon 3-9, Wetta 1-2, Smith 1-1, Betson 0-4, Sanders 0-1, Diew 0-1). Rebounds – Gonzaga 31 (Ejim 10), Colorado 31 (Betson 6). Assists – Gonzaga 18 (Turner, Bettencourt 5), Colorado 14 (Wetta 4). Steals – Gonzaga 11 (Salenbien 3), Colorado 7 (Diew 2). Turnovers – Gonzaga 12, Colorado 16. Total fouls – Gonzaga 16, Colorado 11. Fouled out – None. Attendance – 1,860.

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