The Colorado Buffaloes football team may be struggling as the season approaches its end, but junior receiver Omarion Miller is experiencing a standout year. Hailing from Vivian, Louisiana, Miller has emerged as a key player, achieving impressive statistics over the past five weeks of the season.
Thus far, Miller has made 34 receptions totaling 652 yards and seven touchdowns, leading the Buffs (3-7, 1-6 Big 12) in all three categories. With two games remaining, he stands as only the 15th player in Colorado history to record at least 650 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in a single season.
Miller’s performance has significantly improved in recent games. After the first five games, during which he recorded just 11 catches for 200 yards and one touchdown—missing one game due to injury—he has excelled over the last five. In this latter stretch, Miller achieved 23 catches for 452 yards and six touchdowns, scoring in four out of those five outings. His recent game against West Virginia showcased his talent, as he notched his first 100-yard performance of the season with six catches for 131 yards and a touchdown. This game also marked a career milestone for Miller, surpassing 1,000 career receiving yards.
Since transferring to Colorado in 2023, Miller has made 55 receptions for a total of 1,102 yards and nine touchdowns. He joins an elite group, becoming the 105th player in CU history to record at least 35 career catches, and boasts an impressive average of 20.0 yards per reception, ranking third among all players in this category.
A notable development this season is Miller’s apparent chemistry with freshman quarterback JuJu Lewis, who made his first start against West Virginia. Lewis has targeted Miller frequently, completing nine passes to him for 208 yards and two touchdowns. As Lewis gains experience, he believes that the extra practice with his receivers has been crucial for building this rapport, noting the importance of those additional reps after practice.
On the defensive side, safety Tawfiq Byard has stepped up as a leader for the Buffaloes amid injuries and a targeting suspension that sidelined him during the first half of the game against West Virginia. Byard leads the team with 78 tackles and has played through a hand injury for the past three games. He emphasizes that when he plays confidently and communicates effectively, it elevates the entire defense, inspiring his teammates to fight harder. During the second half against West Virginia, Byard registered nine tackles, contributing to holding the opposing team to just ten points.
Despite the team’s overall challenges this season, both Miller and Byard’s performances highlight the potential and spirit of the Buffaloes, suggesting a positive outlook for the remaining games and beyond.