Richard Young Hits 100 Yards for Colorado
The Colorado running back became the second Buffaloes player under Deion Sanders to reach 100 rushing yards in a game.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Football
Richard Young ran for 100 yards against Kansas State, becoming the second Colorado player under Deion Sanders to reach that mark in a single game. The breakout came after Young had carried the ball no more than eight times in any game this season.
Why it matters
Colorado's running game has struggled, averaging less than 2.5 yards per carry against Baylor and Texas Tech. Young's performance offers a potential answer to a backfield that has rotated through many players without consistent production.
Young's 100 yards is the second 100-yard rushing game for a Colorado player under Sanders, following Micah Welch's effort against Weber State in September that ended a drought dating to 2022. Welch's return timing and Young's role going forward remain unclear.
The players
Deion Sanders
Deion Sanders is the head football coach at the University of Colorado, a former NFL cornerback and Hall of Fame player known for his outspoken style.
Richard Young
Richard Young is a Colorado running back who emerged as a key rusher this season after several seasons of limited carries.
Micah Welch
Micah Welch is a Colorado running back who rushed for 100 yards against Weber State and is recovering from an injury.
The details
Sanders compared Colorado's crowded backfield, which includes Micah Welch, Damian Henderson II, JaQuail Smith, DeKalon Taylor and Richard Young, to the Three Stooges at a Tuesday press conference. Young received more carries after the Kansas State game forced the issue, and Welch is banged up but improving and could return this weekend before Colorado plays Arizona State.
Timeline
September: Micah Welch rushes for 100 yards against Weber State, ending a drought dating to 2022.
Kansas State game: Richard Young rushes for 100 yards.
Tuesday: Deion Sanders compares the Colorado backfield to the Three Stooges at a press conference.
This weekend: Micah Welch could return from injury.
Season Trajectory
Colorado's rebuilding under Deion Sanders has centered on a high-profile passing game, and Young's 100-yard performance tests whether the run game can keep pace as the team faces Arizona State next. The result could influence how the Buffaloes' offense is judged across the remainder of the season.
Fantasy managers tracking Colorado backfield production should monitor Young's carry count and Welch's health before setting lineups. The return of Welch could split touches again, reducing the workload that made Young's 100-yard game possible.
The takeaway
Backfield rotations are easier to judge by carry distribution than by reputation, and Colorado's next two games will show whether Young's workload holds. Readers following the team should watch carries rather than headlines.
What happens next
Colorado plays Arizona State next, and Micah Welch could return from injury this weekend.
Further reading
Find more Colorado coverage in Football under Boulder sports.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
