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It was something of a rough week for most of the 13 Colorado Buffaloes alumni in the NFL, but there were still standout performances.
The most impressive single play was from Chidobe Awuzie, Dallas Cowboys cornerback and still one of the most beloved Buffs. Awuzie isn’t known for his speed, but apparently he’s as fast as anyone in the NFL.
Holy fast. Check out Cowboys CB Chidobe Awuzie track down Saquon Barkley on this play. Barkley couldn't believe it. Awuzie hit 22.81 mph, per Next Gen Stats. That's the fastest a player has been recorded since 2017.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) September 10, 2019
Barkley's 21.76 mph on play was fastest ball carrier this week pic.twitter.com/O6sUSi2eYF
Ahkello Witherspoon, the guy who started opposite Awuzie in 2016, was superb in his first start with the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners had three interceptions, including pick-6s by both Richard Sherman and Witherspoon. Spoon’s pick was the game-sealing play, although it was less about his skill than it was Jameis Winston throwing own of the worst passes I have ever seen attempted. That doesn’t take away from Witherspoon’s outstanding game, in which he posted an above-average 80.8 grade on Pro Football Focus.
Elsewhere in the NFL, the forever Buffs struggled quite a bit. Phillip Lindsay was locked up not by the Raiders, but by the Broncos’ gameplan. David Bakhtiari, the best tackle in the NFL, struggled against the Bears’ frightening pass rush, as he gave up a rare sack. Tedric Thompson almost lost the game for the Seahawks on a botched deflection, but we’re going to pretend that wasn’t him. Isaiah Oliver made his first start for the Falcons and gave up a touchdown to Adam Thielen. At least Nate Solder was solid for the Giants.
Hopefully Week 2 will be better.