BOULDER — Weather was the theme for Colorado State football's spring game for the second year in a row.
Instead of last season's snow forecast, Saturday's 2024 Black & Gold Spring Game was played against a backdrop of heavy rain. A total of 28,424 tickets were sold for the Buffs' showcase (second-most in history), a far cry from the sell-out crowd in Deion Sanders' first year as head coach.
Colorado quarterback Shedule Sanders completed 10 of 14 pass attempts for 166 yards and one touchdown (one sack), saying, “Well, the weather isn't great for what I want to do.'' There wasn't any, so it was definitely tough outside.” After the match. “Overall, it was a good performance. I think there are still some things I need to clear up, but I feel like I'm in better shape mentally and physically than last year.”
Star players Shedur Sanders and Travis Hunter appeared in games, but only against reserves and in a few series. Fans got a first look at several new transfers expected to help Deion Sanders fulfill his promise to the Buffs' 99-year-old superfan Peggy Coppom.
“We're taking you (Peggy) to the bowl game,” Deion Sanders told the Folsom Field crowd before the game.
Here are three key points from this day.
Receiver Rajontay Wester shows early trust with Shedur Sanders
Despite consistent heavy rain limiting fireworks in the passing game, FAU transfer wide receiver Rajontay Wester showed off his playmaking skills Saturday.
After Wester caught a career-high 108 passes (2nd in FBS), 1,168 yards (11th in FBS), and 8 touchdowns last season, Shedur announced on social media that the 5-foot-11, 167-pound WR was scouted in Boulder. Wester (3 catches, 66 yards, 1 touchdown), who started as a WR in a 10-man system (4 WRs on the field) alongside Jimmy Horn Jr., Omarion Miller, and Hunter, was a Chunk Gain's appeared to be Shedule's main target.
The first score of the day came from a 19-yard touchdown pass from Shedeur down the seam to Wester.
A few series later, Schedeur escaped from the left pocket and found Wester for a gain of over 20 yards.
“Wester was the guy. Someday it could be Jimmy. It could be Travis, you never know,” Deion Sanders said after the game. “We have a lot of receivers, four more on the way, and I can't wait to see them work together this summer. It's going to be refreshing and a blessing. ”
“I believe Shedul will be the happiest person in this building.”
Colorado should have one of the best receiving corps in the Big 12 (perhaps even in the entire country), and Wester could prove to be the head of the snake.
In addition to being an impact on offense, Wester also starred as the Buffs' first-team punt returner on Saturday after being named the 2023 AAC Special Teams Player of the Year. His 278 punt return yards last season ranked fifth in the FBS.
Charlie Offerdahl earns scholarship to Colorado in fourth season
Walk-on running back Charlie Offerdahl has been one of the highlights this spring.
In his fourth season with the Buffs, the Littleton native has improved through depth and become a favorite of Deion Sanders' coaching staff. Just before Colorado played Saturday, Deion Sanders told Offerdahl in front of the entire team and his parents that he was no longer a walk-on.
Offerdahl is currently a scholarship player.
Deion Sanders said after the game, “Wow, I was teary-eyed. I was up there saying 'boo-boo' like I was part of his family. I felt like I was part of the family too. I will,” he said. “A 4.0 student, an honor roll student, Charlie is the archetype of a human being. He's a man. I love what he stands for. I love who he is. And I love what he is.
“It was a tremendous moment. But it wasn't something we gave him, he took it. He took it once and for all, he earned it and he deserved it. ”
Oferdahl was unable to play Saturday due to a minor abdominal injury, but the redshirt junior running back was recently promoted to the second team. True freshman Micah Welch was also out with an injury, and three Colorado running backs entered the transfer portal last week, but freshman cornerback Isaiah Hardge served as the Buffs' first-team running back and had another 40-yard touchdown run. Recorded.
Darran Hayden, a transfer from Ohio State, and Rashad Amos, a transfer from Miami (Ohio), will compete with Offerdahl and Welch for playing time this fall.
Colorado Spring Game Set Against the Background of Massive Recruiting Weekend
The spring game gave Colorado an opportunity to host several transfers and visitors.
Good news started rolling in on Friday as Miami (Ohio) transfer Rashad Amos committed from Mississippi State to Colorado State. The 6-foot-2, 234-pound running back rushed for 1,075 yards (5.1 yards per attempt) and 13 touchdowns last season.
Also on Friday, Villanova transfer Wyatt Hummel committed to Colorado after playing 402 snaps and allowing just three pressures with the Wildcats last season. The 6-foot-6, 315-pound OL played in more than 30 games in college and can play center, guard and tackle.
The biggest addition this weekend was Charlotte transfer Nikai Hill-Green, who committed to Colorado during Saturday's spring game. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound LB led the 49ers with 48 solo tackles (nine for loss) last season and was named to the All-AAC third team.
Hillgreen began his career at the University of Michigan, appearing in 17 games (six starting at LB) and plans to be the Buffs' starter in 2024.
Follow Colorado Buffaloes Sports Writer Scott Proctor X.
