Back
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders seemed to rule out Julian Lewis returning to the field unless something changes, as questions continued Tuesday about the Buffaloes' quarterback position.
Asked about another opportunity for Lewis, Sanders placed the responsibility on the redshirt freshman.
"That's on him," Sanders said. "Great question, but that's on him."
Lewis started Colorado's first four games before Isaac Wilson replaced him at halftime against Baylor on Sept. 26. He has not played since, and the Buffaloes have lost all three games Wilson has started.
Sanders defended how he handled Lewis when asked about fairness in the quarterback decision.
"I don't treat people unfairly," Sanders said. "I don't play games with young men and their careers or hate on folks. If anything, I'm too forgiving."
He said coaches have locker-room information that people outside the program don't have.
Asked whether Lewis was pushing Wilson in practice and working to regain the starting role, Sanders declined to elaborate.
"If I say that, you might think I'm taking a shot at the kid, and I'm not going down the rabbit hole," Sanders said.
Lewis completed 61 of 95 passes for 733 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions before he was benched. His strongest performance came against Weber State, when he threw for 366 yards and four touchdowns.
Wilson has passed for 979 yards with seven interceptions. He lost a fumble and threw two interceptions in Saturday's 57-24 defeat at Oklahoma State, and freshman Kaneal Sweetwyne eventually took over.
Colorado enters Saturday's home game against Kansas State at 2-5 overall and 0-4 in Big 12 play. Sanders' comments Tuesday offered no timetable for Lewis's return, but may allude to the possibility of him entering the transfer portal.