2018 Colorado Buffaloes football team

2018 Colorado Buffaloes football
2018 Colorado Buffaloes football
Conference	Pac-12 Conference
	South Division
Record	5–7 (2–7 Pac-12)
Head coach	Mike MacIntyre (6th season; first 11 games); Kurt Roper (interim; game 12);
Co-offensive coordinator	Klayton Adams (6th season)
Co-offensive coordinator	Darrin Chiaverini (3rd season)
Offensive scheme	Pro-style
Defensive coordinator	D. J. Eliot (2nd season)
Base defense	3–4
Home stadium	Folsom Field
Uniform
	Seasons ← 2017 2019 →

2018 Pac-12 Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
North Division
No. 13 Washington xy$	7	–	2	10	–	4
No. 10 Washington State x	7	–	2	11	–	2
Stanford	6	–	3	9	–	4
Oregon	5	–	4	9	–	4
California	4	–	5	7	–	6
Oregon State	1	–	8	2	–	10
South Division
Utah xy	6	–	3	9	–	5
Arizona State	5	–	4	7	–	6
USC	4	–	5	5	–	7
Arizona	4	–	5	5	–	7
UCLA	3	–	6	3	–	9
Colorado	2	–	7	5	–	7
Championship: Washington 10, Utah 3
$ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant Rankings from AP Poll

The 2018 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado in the Pac-12 Conference during the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by sixth-year head coach Mike MacIntyre, the Buffaloes played their home games on campus at Folsom Field in Boulder and finished at 5–7 (2–7 in Pac-12, last in South Division).

Despite a promising 5–0 start and a top twenty ranking, the Buffaloes lost their final seven games. The low point came during homecoming on October 27, when Colorado blew a 31–3 third-quarter lead to struggling Oregon State and lost by seven in overtime. MacIntyre was fired on November 18, the day after the sixth consecutive setback, a 30–7 home loss to rival Utah.^[1]

Mel Tucker, the defensive coordinator at Georgia, was hired as head coach in early December.^[2]

Recruiting

Position Key

Back	B	Center	C	Cornerback	CB	Defensive back	DB
Defensive end	DE	Defensive lineman	DL	Defensive tackle	DT	End	E
Fullback	FB	Guard	G	Halfback	HB	Kicker	K
Kickoff returner	KR	Offensive tackle	OT	Offensive lineman	OL	Linebacker	LB
Long snapper	LS	Punter	P	Punt returner	PR	Quarterback	QB
Running back	RB	Safety	S	Tight end	TE	Wide receiver	WR

Recruits

The Buffaloes signed a total of 21 recruits.

College recruiting information (2018)
Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
Davion Taylor #3 OLB	Clarksdale, MS	Coahoma Community College	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	Jun 22, 2017
Davion Taylor #3 OLB	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Dylan Thomas #73 WR	Santa Fe Springs, CA	Santa Fe High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	Jul 23, 2017
Dylan Thomas #73 WR	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Blake Stenstrom #30 QB	Highlands Ranch, CO	Valor Christian High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	199 lb (90 kg)	Dec 17, 2016
Blake Stenstrom #30 QB	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Delrick Abrams #5 CB	Angie, LA	Independence Community College	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	Jul 15, 2017
Delrick Abrams #5 CB	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Israel Antwine #41 DT	Oklahoma City, OK	Millwood High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	286 lb (130 kg)	Dec 19, 2017
Israel Antwine #41 DT	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Dimitri Stanley #108 WR	Englewood, CO	Cherry Creek High School	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	Jul 15, 2017
Dimitri Stanley #108 WR	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Aaron Maddox #6 S	North Augusta, SC	Pima Community College	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	Dec 11, 2017
Aaron Maddox #6 S	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Joshka Gustav #67 DE	San Bernardino, CA	Aquinas High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	223 lb (101 kg)	Mar 24, 2017
Joshka Gustav #67 DE	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Daniel Arias #156 WR	Mill Creek, WA	Henry M. Jackson High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	Jul 3, 2017
Daniel Arias #156 WR	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Darrion Jones #3 TE	Wilmington, CA	Los Angeles Harbor College	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	245 lb (111 kg)	Dec 11, 2017
Darrion Jones #3 TE	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Jarek Broussard #165 WR	Dallas, TX	Bishop Lynch High School	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)	174 lb (79 kg)	Jun 23, 2017
Jarek Broussard #165 WR	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Lavon Wallace #55 S	Atwater, CA	Buhach High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	Jul 29, 2017
Lavon Wallace #55 S	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Clyde Moore #32 ILB	Newport Beach, CA	Corona Del Mar High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	Jun 17, 2017
Clyde Moore #32 ILB	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Deion Smith #56 RB	Houston, TX	Second Baptist School	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	169 lb (77 kg)	Jun 25, 2017
Deion Smith #56 RB	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Tava Finau #101 DE	Burbank, CA	Burbank High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	250 lb (110 kg)	Sep 20, 2017
Tava Finau #101 DE	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Frank Fillip #98 OT	Houston, TX	Clear Lake High School	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)	263 lb (119 kg)	Jun 9, 2017
Frank Fillip #98 OT	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Mustafa Johnson #23 DT	Modesto, CA	Modesto Junior College	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	285 lb (129 kg)	Dec 20, 2017
Mustafa Johnson #23 DT	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Alex Tchangam #14 DE	Alpharetta, GA	De Anza College	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	250 lb (110 kg)	Feb 2, 2018
Alex Tchangam #14 DE	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Hasaan Hypolite #82 S	Missouri City, TX	Hightower High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	Feb 2, 2018
Hasaan Hypolite #82 S	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Josh Jynes #94 OG	DeSoto, TX	DeSoto High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	312 lb (142 kg)	Apr 18, 2017
Josh Jynes #94 OG	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Ray Robinson #89 S	Highlands Ranch, CO	Highlands Ranch High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	Oct 23, 2016
Ray Robinson #89 S	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Overall recruiting rankings:
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Colorado Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved May 21, 2018. "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved May 21, 2018.

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released

Award	Player	Position	Year
Maxwell Award^[3]	Steven Montez	QB	JR
Lou Groza Award^[4]	James Stefanou	K	SO
Ray Guy Award^[5]	Alex Kinney	P	SR
Wuerffel Trophy^[6]	Nick Fisher	DB	SR
Walter Camp Award^[7]	Steven Montez	QB	JR
Ted Hendricks Award^[8]	Chris Mulumba	DE	SR
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award^[9]	Steven Montez	QB	JR
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award^[10]	Steven Montez	QB	JR

Pac-12 Media Days

The 2018 Pac-12 media days are set for July 25, 2018 in Hollywood, California. Mike MacIntyre (HC), Rick Gamboa (LB) & Steven Montez (QB) at Pac-12 Media Days. The Pac-12 media poll was released with the Buffaloes predicted to finish in fifth place at Pac-12 South division.^[11]

Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
Media poll (South)
1	USC	225 (22)
2	Utah	209 (14)
3	Arizona	178 (3)
4	UCLA	116 (2)
5	Colorado	80 (1)
6	Arizona State	72

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 31	7:30 p.m.	vs. Colorado State*		Broncos Stadium at Mile High Denver, CO (Rocky Mountain Showdown)	CBSSN	W 45–13	70,158
September 8	1:30 p.m.	at Nebraska*		Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE (rivalry)	ABC	W 33–28	89,853
September 15	3:00 p.m.	New Hampshire*		Folsom Field Boulder, CO	P12N	W 45–14	42,360
September 28	7:00 p.m.	UCLA		Folsom Field Boulder, CO	FS1	W 38–16	46,814
October 6	2:00 p.m.	Arizona State	No. 21	Folsom Field Boulder, CO	P12N	W 28–21	52,681
October 13	8:30 p.m.	at USC	No. 19	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA	FS1	L 20–31	57,615
October 20	1:30 p.m.	at No. 15 Washington		Husky Stadium Seattle, WA	FOX	L 13–27	68,798
October 27	1:00 p.m.	Oregon State		Folsom Field Boulder, CO	P12N	L 34–41 ^OT	48,050
November 2	8:30 p.m.	at Arizona		Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ	FS1	L 34–42	43,080
November 10	1:30 p.m.	No. 10 Washington State		Folsom Field Boulder, CO	ESPN	L 7–31	45,587
November 17	11:30 a.m.	No. 21 Utah		Folsom Field Boulder, CO (Rumble in the Rockies)	P12N	L 7–30	39,360
November 24	5:00 p.m.	at California		California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA	P12N	L 21–33	34,457
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Mountain time

Source:^[12]

Personnel

Coaching staff

Name	Title
Mike MacIntyre	Head coach
Darrin Chiaverini	Co-offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach/recruiting coordinator
D. J. Eliot	Defensive coordinator/outside linebackers Coach
Kurt Roper	Quarterbacks coach
Klayton Adams	Co-offensive coordinator/offensive line coach
Gary Bernardi	Tight ends & H-Backs coach
Shadon Brown	Secondary coach & Defensive Passing Game Coordinator
Ashley Ambrose	Cornerbacks coach
Ross Els	Inside linebackers/special teams coach
Darian Hagan	Running backs coach
Kwahn Drake	Defensive line coach
Chidera Uzo-Diribe	Graduate assistant

Roster

2018 Colorado Buffaloes football roster

Quarterback

4 Sam Noyer – sophomore (6'4, 215)
7 Tyler Lytle – freshman (6'5, 205)
12 Steven Montez – junior (6'5, 230)
16 Blake Stenstrom – freshman (6'4, 220)

Tailback

1 Dovonan Lee – senior (5'9, 185)
8 Alex Fontenot – freshman (6'0, 195)
20 Deion Smith – freshman (6'0, 180)
21 Kyle Evans – senior (5'7, 175)
30 Andrew Wilk – sophomore (6'0, 205)
31 Noa Lukela – freshman (5'11, 200)
33 Chase Sanders – sophomore (6'0, 185)
34 Noa Lukela – freshman (5'11, 200)
34 Travon McMillian – senior (6'0, 210)
35 Beau Bisharat – junior (6'2, 220)

Wide receiver

2 Laviska Shenault – sophomore (6'1, 220)
3 K. D. Nixon – sophomore (5'8, 185)
5 Daniel Arias – freshman (6'4, 200)
6 Curtis Chiaverini – freshman (6'1, 195)
9 Juwann Winfree – senior (6'3, 210)
10 Jaylon Jackson – freshman (5'10, 180)
14 Jay MacIntyre – senior (5'10, 185)
15 Dimitri Stanley – freshman (5'11, 170)
18 Tony Brown – junior (6'1, 190)
23 Jarek Broussard – freshman (5'9, 180)
27 Dylan Thomas – freshman (6'2, 185)
83 Erik Lawson – junior (6'4, 205)

Tight end

38 Brady Russell – freshman (6'3, 250)
44 Chris Bounds – junior (6'4, 240)
80 Derek Coleman – junior (6'5, 235)
85 Jared Poplawski – sophomore (6'4, 230)
88 Darrion Jones – junior (6'6, 250)

Offensive line

52 Joshua Jynes – freshman (6'2, 310)
54 Kanan Ray – freshman (6'4, 280)
55 Brett Tonz – junior (6'3, 295)
56 Tim Lynott – junior (6'3, 300)
58 Kary Kutsch – sophomore (6'4, 300)
59 Jacob Isen – freshman (6'2, 245)
60 Dillon Middlemiss – junior (6'5, 295)
61 Kolter Smith – sophomore (6'2, 285)
62 Justin Eggers – junior (6'5, 305)
64 Aaron Haigler – junior (6'7, 295)
65 Colby Pursell – freshman (6'4, 280)
66 Grant Polley – freshman (6'4, 250)
68 Casey Roddick – freshman (6'4, 340)
70 Jacob Moretti – freshman (6'4, 280)
71 Jack Shutack – junior (6'6, 285)
73 Isaac Miller – junior (6'7, 280)
74 Chance Lytle – freshman (6'7, 310)
75 Josh Kaiser – senior (6'5, 300)
77 Frank Fillip – freshman (6'7, 280)
77 Hunter Vaughn – sophomore (6'7, 300)
78 Will Sherman – freshman (6'3, 280)
79 Heston Paige – freshman (6'5, 175)

Defensive line

16 Chris Mulumba – senior (6'4, 275)
33 Javier Edwards – senior (6'3, 345)
34 Mustafa Johnson – freshman (6'2, 285)
56 Jase Franke – senior (6'3, 280)
72 Lyle Tuiloma – junior (6'3, 310)
90 Terriek Roberts - Sophomore (6'6, 265)
95 Israel Antwine – freshman (6'4, 315)
96 Tava Finau – freshman (6'3, 260)
97 Mo Bandi – junior (6'5, 270)
98 Nico Magri – freshman (6'3, 270)
99 Jalen Sami – freshman (6'6, 320)
00 Joshka Gustav – freshman (6'3, 223)
00 Alex Tchangam – freshman (6'3, 250)

Long snapper

45 James Townsend – freshman (6'0, 220)
63 J. T. Bale – junior (6'2, 205)

Placekicker

48 James Stefanou – sophomore (6'1, 195)
49 Davis Price – junior (6'2, 195)

Punter

89 Alex Kinney – senior (6'1, 205)
92 Bailey Landwehr – senior (5'10, 170)
95 Sam Loy – junior (6'1, 190)

Inside linebacker

30 Clyde Moore – freshman (6'1, 230)
31 Jonathan Van Diest – freshman (6'1, 230)
32 Rick Gamboa – senior (6'0, 240)
36 Akil Jones – sophomore (6'0, 220)
41 Devin Lynch – freshman (6'1, 210)
45 Jacob Stoltenberg – sophomore (6'0, 240)
50 Jake Yurachek – freshman (6'1, 235)
53 Nate Landman – sophomore (6'3, 220)
59 Colby Rieter – freshman (6'1, 225)

Outside linebacker

5 Davion Taylor – junior (6'3, 220)
13 Shamar Hamilton – junior (6'5, 220)
20 Drew Lewis – senior (6'2, 225)
40 Carson Wells – freshman (6'4, 240)
42 Nu'umotu Falo Jr. – junior (6'2 240)
44 Jacob Callier – sophomore (6'2 240)
46 Chase Newman – freshman (6'2 210)
47 Nick Edridge – freshman (6'3 215)
57 Sam Bennion – sophomore (6'5, 235)

Defensive back

1 Delrick Abrams – junior (6'3, 180)
2 Ronnie Blackman – sophomore (5'10, 180)
3 Derrion Rakestraw – sophomore (6'2, 190)
4 Dante Wigley – junior (6'1, 192)
6 Evan Washington – senior (6'2, 205)
7 Nick Fisher – senior (6'0, 190)
8 Trey Udoffia – sophomore (6'0, 185)
9 Aaron Maddox – sophomore (6'1, 175)
12 Hasaan Hypolite – freshman (5'11, 200)
14 Chris Miller – freshman (5'11, 185)
15 Darrell Hubbard – junior (6'1, 195)
21 Kyle Trego – senior (6'0, 195)
22 Lavon Wallace – freshman (6'4, 200)
23 Isaiah Lewis – freshman (6'0, 195)
25 Ray Robinson – freshman (6'1, 200)
26 Dustin Johnson – freshman (6'1, 195)
27 Kevin George – sophomore (6'3, 180)
28 Daniel Talley – senior (6'2, 215)
29 Uryan Hudson – sophomore (5'10, 175)
38 Brock Miller – freshman (6'0, 200)
39 Jaisen Sanchez – senior (6'1, 200)
49 Griffin Foulk – junior (6'1, 200)
54 Terrance Lang – freshman (6'7, 275)

Source:^[13]

Game summaries

Vs. Colorado State

	1	2	3	4	Total
Buffaloes	21	7	17	0	45
Rams	7	3	0	3	13

At Nebraska

	1	2	3	4	Total
Buffaloes	14	3	10	6	33
Cornhuskers	7	14	7	0	28

New Hampshire

	1	2	3	4	Total
Wildcats	0	0	14	0	14
Buffaloes	7	21	10	7	45

UCLA

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bruins	10	3	3	0	16
Buffaloes	7	7	14	10	38

Arizona State

	1	2	3	4	Total
Sun Devils	7	7	7	0	21
No. 21 Buffaloes	7	7	14	0	28

At USC

	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 19 Buffaloes	0	7	0	13	20
Trojans	0	21	7	3	31

At Washington

	1	2	3	4	Total
Buffaloes	7	6	0	0	13
No. 15 Huskies	0	14	3	10	27

Oregon State

	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Beavers	0	3	7	24	7	41
Buffaloes	7	17	7	3	0	34

At Arizona

	1	2	3	4	Total
Buffaloes	10	14	10	0	34
Wildcats	0	26	9	7	42

Washington State

	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 10 Cougars	0	10	7	14	31
Buffaloes	7	0	0	0	7

Utah

	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 21 Utes	0	7	17	6	30
Buffaloes	7	0	0	0	7

At California

	1	2	3	4	Total
Buffaloes	0	7	14	0	21
Golden Bears	21	3	3	6	33

Rankings

Ranking movements
**Legend:** ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Final
AP	—	—	RV	RV	RV	21	19	RV	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Coaches	—	—	RV	RV	RV	22	18	25	RV	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
CFP	Not released									—	—	—	—	—	—	Not released

Players drafted into the NFL

Round	Pick	Player	Position	NFL Club
6	187	Juwann Winfree	WR	Denver Broncos

References

^ "Colorado fires football coach Mike MacIntyre after six-game losing streak". Retrieved November 19, 2018.
^ Howell, Brian (December 5, 2018). "Done deal: CU Buffs to hire Mel Tucker as head coach". Boulder Daily Camera. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
^ "2018 Maxwell Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
^ "Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Announces 2018 Preseason Watch List". July 25, 2018. Archived from the original on August 17, 2009. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
^ "Ray Guy Award preseason watch list unveiled". July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
^ "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
^ Carbone, Al (July 27, 2018). "Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces 2018 Player of the Year Preseason "Watch List"". Retrieved July 30, 2018.
^ "Preseason Watch List - 2018 edition of the Ted Hendricks Award" (PDF). August 14, 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
^ "2018 Nominations The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award" (PDF). August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
^ "Watch List for 2018 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award ® Presented by A. O. Smith Announced". August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
^ "Washington picked as Pac-12 favorite in preseason media poll". July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018.^{[dead link‍]}
^ 2018 Coloroado Buffaloes Football Schedule
^ 2018 Coloroado Buffaloes Football Roster

[1] "Colorado fires football coach Mike MacIntyre after six-game losing streak". Retrieved November 19, 2018.

[2] Howell, Brian (December 5, 2018). "Done deal: CU Buffs to hire Mel Tucker as head coach". Boulder Daily Camera. Retrieved December 5, 2018.

[3] "2018 Maxwell Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.

[4] "Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Announces 2018 Preseason Watch List". July 25, 2018. Archived from the original on August 17, 2009. Retrieved July 25, 2018.

[5] "Ray Guy Award preseason watch list unveiled". July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018.

[6] "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.

[7] Carbone, Al (July 27, 2018). "Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces 2018 Player of the Year Preseason "Watch List"". Retrieved July 30, 2018.

[8] "Preseason Watch List - 2018 edition of the Ted Hendricks Award" (PDF). August 14, 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2018.

[9] "2018 Nominations The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award" (PDF). August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.

[10] "Watch List for 2018 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award ® Presented by A. O. Smith Announced". August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.

[11] "Washington picked as Pac-12 favorite in preseason media poll". July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018.^{[dead link‍]}

[12] 2018 Coloroado Buffaloes Football Schedule

[13] 2018 Coloroado Buffaloes Football Roster

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