Emotions Abound In Coach Prime’s Third Spring Game

Photo by: Andrew Marsh/University of Color

April 19, 2025 | Football

FB 2025 Spring Game Statistics

By: Curtis Snyder, Associate AD/Athletic Communications

BOULDER—In an emotional day at Folsom Field that saw the retirement of Shedeur Sanders No. 2 jersey, Travis Hunter's No. 12 jersey, the awarding of a scholarship to Ben Finneseth, and the announcement of a statue to honor former coach Bill McCartney, there was also a little football that was played in front of 20,430 fans at Folsom Field Saturday, televised by ESPN2.

Not counting a brief 7-on-7 session, the defense and offense tied 17-17 using the unique scoring system developed originally by ESPN's Chris Fowler in 2023. Counting the 7-on-7 session, during which Joseph Williams caught two touchdown passes, one from Julian Lewis and another from Ryan Staub, the offense come up with an additional 14 points which would've given the offense a 31-17 victory.

The biggest question on everybody's mind is the quarterback battle between Kaidon Salter, Lewis and Staub. Counting the 7-on-7 session, Lewis completed 10-of-18 passes for 63 yards and a touchdown while Kaidon Salter was 11-of-19 for 79 yards and an interception. Staub completed both of his passes for 28 yards and a touchdown, both in the 7-on-7 session.

"They got a ways to go, they got to improve, they got to do some things," Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders said. "We have to understand that these guys are different, they have different strengths and qualities about themselves, we have to make sure we maximize their potential."

The only spring game of the college football season televised by ESPN (not on ESPN+), the 20,430 in attendance is the third-highest Spring Game attendance in CU history, all coming in the past three seasons in the Coach Prime Era, the only three over 20,000 fans.

With 19 players out due to various injuries, the Buffs came away from the 15th practice of spring ball relatively unscathed, with Coach Prime awaiting an injury report on Sav'ell Smalls during his postgame press conference.

Williams led the receivers with 4 receptions for 42 yards and his two touchdowns, while Terrell Timmons Jr. also had four catches for 15 yards. Quentin Gibson also had three catches for 22 yards. CU's tight ends also caught 5 passes for 35 yards.

On the ground, Dallan Hayden led the way with 4 rushes for 29 yards and Brandon Hood ran six times for 17 yards while Kaiden Salter had 13 yards on four rushes.

The defense made enough big plays to earn the one point victory totaling three tackles for loss, including two sacks, four third down stops, three quarterback hurries, four pass breakups and an interception.

TJ Branch had the interceptions with Arden Walker and Kylan Salter getting credited for one sack apiece while Tawfiq Byard, Ben Bouzi, Kylan Salter and Tawfiq Thomas each had a pass breakup.

Finneseth became the second walk-on to be awarded a scholarship in the Coach Prime era, joining Charlie Offerdahl, who was awarded one last prior to last season.

"I almost started crying as soon as he said 'Where's 28?' and I did start crying when I put my head in his shoulder," Finneseth said. "I told Coach Prime 'Thank you for believing in me.' because he has believed in me since day one and I can't thank him or the coaching staff enough for giving me the opportunity to be here and work, it's an absolute blessing."

In 2024, the defense also edged the offense, 27-26, after the offense took a 39-27 win in 2023 in Coach Prime's first game.

Sanders and Hunter's jerseys were retired at the start of the game and the attention now returns to the dynamic duo and CU's 14 other NFL hopefuls with the NFL Draft next week. The first round, during which Sanders and Hunter are projected to be selected early, will take place Thursday on ESPN starting at 6 p.m. MT. Rounds 2-3 will take place Friday at 5 p.m. MT and rounds 4-7 on Saturday starting at 10 a.m. MT.