Omarion Miller didn’t just prevent a USC romp over his Colorado Buffaloes on Saturday with his epic breakout afternoon of seven catches, 196 yards, and a touchdown. The newest dynamic discovery in Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders’ CU offense even won over Michael Irvin on the sidelines.
The three-time Super Bowl winner and NFL Hall of Famer with the Dallas Cowboys was overheard calling the true freshman “a bad dude” on the sidelines, even saying Miller ran an NFL-style out route on his fourth-quarter score in this viral video.
Now, Miller reacted to receiving strong praise from Sanders’ former NFL teammate, “The Playmaker,” which includes a stirring message Miller sent moving forward.
Omarion Miller ‘Pumped’ From Irvin Speech, Plus Sends Message to Future Colorado Opponents
Via The Denver Post’s Sean Keeler on Sunday, Miller reacted to the Irvin praise and what it did for him.
“It meant a lot, coming from (Irvin),” Miller said. “(It) kind of pumped me up a little bit. And that message was really just to keep working.”
Again, Miller provided a needed spark for an offense that struggled until the second half. Colorado, once down 41-14, outscored the Trojans 27-7 before falling 48-41 in Boulder. His first CFB action nearly witnessed a 200-yard debut against a trending contender for the College Football Playoffs.
But even after hearing Irvin’s voice in his helmet ear hole, Miller still believes that USC’s performance was just a small sample from him.
“I’ve got so much to prove,” Miller said. “This is just one game.”
Then came one last stirring message for the next seven regular season games.
“And y’all (haven’t) seen nothing yet,” Miller declared.
How Did Miller Do His Damage? Film Review of His Blockbuster Debut
Here’s what makes Miller’s epic debut all the more astonishing: Sanders admitted he was caught by surprise in watching the former Nebraska commit pull off that kind of outing.
“I didn’t think we were gonna get that from Omarion,” Sanders said after the game. “I haven’t seen that.”
The reason?
“He hasn’t practiced well (and) that’s why he hasn’t played,” Sanders explained. “He was forced into action. And he showed up and showed out.”
Yet, Miller showed the skill set that made him a key recruitment flip by Sanders and the Buffs.
In catch No. 1 near the 7:15 mark of the third quarter, with his team down 41-14, Miller runs eight yards before planting and positioning himself. But then, he doesn’t take long to show that he’s a yards-after-catch option moving forward — taking the simple eight-yard connection, forcing a diving tackle, and then turning the short pass into a 65-yard gain on his first collegiate grab.
Then, on his second grab with CU at its own 35, Miller shows his concentration while being heavily blanketed and grabbed by the arm. He still keeps himself in position and uses his free arm to snatch the one-hander.
His third catch was the out route Irvin came to love. And one that had Miller needing to readjust as Shedeur Sanders was under duress. And that score was another high-concentration grab that saw Miller sliding.
On his fourth reception, Miller used a strong release to get his defender to fall forward. He takes advantage of this 27-yarder.
Miller even fought off some early contact and a jam attempt on his third down and four reception which saw Sanders needing to get the ball out fast. Miller turned just in time to complete the grab.
Finally, aligned as the slot, Miller slips by two USC defenders and ends up taking advantage of some defensive miscommunication. Miller ends up making one more concentration snatch — positioning himself for the pivotal sideline grab.
Because he was a relative unknown for the USC defense prior to the game, Miller entered with the Trojans’ focus clearly on pressuring Sanders and keying on the Buffs’ two remaining top options Xavier Weaver and Jimmy Horn.
In the process, Miller ended up feasting on solo coverage against the USC secondary.
Omarion Miller vs USC Highlights #SkoBuffs pic.twitter.com/c96pqu4k1V
— Colton Denning (@Dubsco) September 30, 2023
Can Miller Continue Success Even With Travis Hunter Set to Return?
Now, a burning question in Boulder — can Miller hit sustained success? Especially with the explosive two-way threat Travis Hunter expected to return from his lacerated liver injury?
Before the ailment versus Colorado State, Hunter was the go-to for Sanders as the deep threat and chain mover. In his absence, Weaver and Horn became the top two options.
What Miller really did, though, is prove that offensive coordinator Sean Lewis’ offense has a fourth WR option who can open up the offense further. And with Hunter still out, Miller has a chance to emerge as one of the three top options for the Buffs offense…and certainly not the No. 3 option. Perhaps he becomes the No. 1 right after his epic outing versus the Trojans.
One thing is certain: The Arizona State Sun Devils defensive staff is likely drawing up coverages to counter the newest dynamic discovery from Coach Prime.