Details Emerge On Lance Stephenson's Pacers Contract

The bottom third of the Rockies’ order has not been very potent. That’s an understatement. But it delivered big-time Wednesday night in Colorado’s 8-2 win over the floundering Marlins at Coors Field. No. 9 hole hitter Aaron Shunk, getting a rare start at second base, hit 2-for-3 and blasted the first homer of his career.

For Shedeur Sanders, last year stood as a convincing opening statement. The quarterback started with a record-setting performance in an upset road win against TCU. A couple of weeks after that, he led a last-second, 98-yard TD drive to eventually beat rival CSU in double OT. And even when CU’s wheels fell off, he still showed mettle, flashed several well-timed watch-flexes and played hurt, until he couldn’t anymore. Now, it’s time for Sanders’ closing arguments in black and gold starting with Thursday’s opener against North Dakota State at Folsom Field.

For Broncos head coach Sean Payton, the hours between the end of Denver’s preseason finale and the roster cut-down deadline on Tuesday were a juggling act of many variables. It consisted of late-night film sessions at the team’s training facility, painful breakups, and asking the tough questions. Are youth and upside more important than veteran talent?

Over the last eight years, the Broncos have played every type of football except for competent. It is easy to predict their 2024 performance as a work in progress. They will lose more than they win. Just like the new team headquarters they will break ground on Thursday, the Broncos are under construction. They are rebuilding.

CLASS 5A No. 5 Regis Jesuit (0-0) vs. No. 6 Valor Christian (1-0) When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Valor Stadium Last meeting: Regis 24, vs. Valor 21, Aug. 26, 2023 Regis and Valor meet in Week 1 for the fourth year in a row, except this time the Eagles already have a game under their belts after taking down Pine Creek, 31-14, in Week 0.

North Dakota State (11-4 in 2023) at Colorado (4-8) When/where: Thursday, 6 p.m./Folsom Field TV/Radio: ESPN/850 AM BetMGM Line: CU -10, 60.5 over/under Weather: Mostly clear, 81 degrees at kickoff Three storylines Seaton & Co.: The key to this season for the Buffs is obvious: Control the line of scrimmage, giving quarterback Shedeur Sanders time to throw and the running backs room to run, and CU’s ceiling goes up dramatically.