Montana
Ex-Colorado Buffaloes Wide Receiver Signs NFL Deal With Pittsburgh Steelers
Another former Colorado Buffaloes wide recevier is headed to the NFL.
On Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced their signing of one-time rising Colorado star Montana Lemonious-Craig. The 22-year-old spent his first three college football seasons in Boulder before entering the transfer portal in April 2023 and ultimately landing with the Arizona Wildcats.
Lemonious-Craig’s decision to leave Colorado was largely unexpected, as he was seemingly building a strong connection with quarterback Shedeur Sanders during their lone spring together. In front of a sold-out spring game crowd at Folsom Field in 2023, Lemonious-Craig recorded six catches for 169 yards, including a 98-yard touchdown. One day later, he announced his intentions to leave coach Deion Sanders’ Colorado program for the transfer portal.
The 6-foot-2 wide receiver was a bright spot on Colorado’s 2021 and 2022 teams. Although the Buffs won only a combined five games, Lemonious-Craig stood out with 482 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He also played a key role in helping Colorado secure its only win in 2022, finishing with 119 receiving yards and one touchdown against Cal.
During his two seasons at Arizona, Lemonious-Craig never truly developed a strong connection with Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita. The former three-star prospect from California had 296 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 2023 and failed to eclipse 200 receiving yards this past season.
Lemonious-Craig did, however, make his presence known during his return to Folsom Field in 2023. In a 34-31 win for Arizona, he caught five passes for 67 yards, including a clutch five-yard catch on third down late in the fourth quarter.
“It was tough to leave, because of the history I have here. I love Colorado,” Lemonious-Craig told The Denver Post after his return to Boulder. “This was the place where I got an opportunity to play collegiate football. Of course, it was tough to leave. But I thought it was the right decision for me to move on, with the direction Sanders was going with the CU program. I just made the decision, rolled the dice and went on with my life.”
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Despite never putting up consistent numbers as a college player, his occasional flashes of greatness and strong NFL potential seemingly caught Pittsburgh’s eye. Longtime coach Mike Tomlin also needs all the offensive help he can get with Mason Rudolph and sixth-round NFL Draft pick Will Howard battling for the Steelers’ starting quarterback job.
Lemonious-Craig joins a wide receivers room headlined by two-time Pro Bowler DK Metcalf, who was traded from the Seattle Seahawks to the Steelers in March. Metcalf was reportedly absent from the Steelers’ first OTA practice on Tuesday, however.
Other former Buffs who signed with an NFL team post-draft include safeties Shilo Sanders (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig (Jacksonville Jaguars) and defensive end BJ Green (Jaguars). Cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter (Jaguars), Shedeur Sanders (Cleveland Browns), and wide receivers Jimmy Horn Jr. (Carolina Panthers) and LaJohntay Wester (Baltimore Ravens) were each selected in the draft.
Although newly minted GOP candidates for the U.S. House and U.S. Senate have garnered heavyweight endorsements, the Montana Republican Party said Thursday it won’t throw its support behind any candidates for federal office in the primary.
“The Montana Republican Party (MTGOP) stands behind its deep bench of qualified candidates seeking to represent Montanans and supports a competitive primary process to let voters pick their preferred candidates,” the Montana GOP said in a news release Thursday.
Monday, U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke announced he was retiring due to health concerns once his term ends, and he immediately tapped talk-show host Aaron Flint as his preferred successor in Congress.
Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen and Flathead County Republican Central Committee Chairperson Al Olszewski also filed for the U.S. House as Republicans, as did Ray Curtis of Bonner.
Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines withdrew, and in a statement the same night, announced an endorsement of former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme, who had filed the same day.
In the Senate, Lee Calhoun and Charles Walking Child also filed to run in the Republican primary.
Endorsements for Flint and Alme cascaded. U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed both candidates, and U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy and Gov. Greg Gianforte threw their weight behind Flint and Alme.
Late on Wednesday, the Montana GOP did not immediately have comment on the news Daines, Montana’s senior U.S. senator, had resigned, but Thursday, the party thanked Zinke and Daines for their service.
A news release said the party would not endorse any candidates in the federal primary and would leave the job in the hands of voters.
“The party hopes every candidate will make their case to the public, contrasting their Republican policies and principles with those of Democrats — as well as phony ‘Independents,’” the news release said.
Former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar announced a run for the U.S. Senate as an independent this week.
A tension within the Republican party has emerged in recent years between hardline conservatives and more moderate members, and some legislative primaries illustrate the split.
This week, the state GOP said the number of primaries for state legislative seats shows a high interest from Montanans who want to serve the state and pass Republican policy, and the MTGOP “is glad to see so many Republicans being called to public service.”
In a brief call, MTGOP spokesperson Ethan Holmes said the party had not ruled out endorsements in legislative primaries.
In the news release, however, the MTGOP offered its view of the larger political debate.
“Montana voters know that beyond the primaries, there is a clear choice between Republican and Democratic governance; one path leads to lower taxes, less crime and stronger families, and the other leads to higher taxes, more crime, and social decay,” MTGOP Chairperson Art Wittich said in a statement.
The news release also said the state GOP is working “tirelessly to deliver a Bright Red Future” at both the state and federal level and looks forward to help candidates whom voters select win in November.
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at March 4, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from March 4 drawing
07-14-42-47-56, Powerball: 06, Power Play: 4
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from March 4 drawing
33-38-39-47-51, Star Ball: 07, ASB: 02
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from March 4 drawing
01-07-08-27, Bonus: 12
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from March 4 drawing
05-10-26-53-59, Powerball: 06
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Montana Cash numbers from March 4 drawing
03-04-06-08-10
Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 4 drawing
12-13-36-39-58, Bonus: 03
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
- Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
- Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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