University of Colorado wide receiver Isaiah Hardge and defensive end Tristan Marois shake hands as they run onto the field to take on Georgia Tech on Friday, August 29. (Rachel Glazer/CU Independent)
Deion Sanders and his Colorado Buffaloes took on the Georgia Institute of Technology Yellow Jackets Friday night with a brand-new lineup.
For the first time under Coach Prime, the Buffs suited up without Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, among others, and looked to the guidance of senior Liberty University transfer Kaidon Salter under center. Salter and CU’s offense were erratic in Colorado’s 27-20 loss against Georgia Tech, leaving even more questions about the upcoming season than before the matchup.
The Yellow Jackets got off to a rough start, turning the ball over on their first three drives. However, the Buffs arguably lost the game in the opening quarter, only scoring seven points off of three takeaways even after possessions started at the Tech 36-yard line, the Colorado 48-yard line and the Colorado 34-yard line.
After the Yellow Jackets fumbled on their second play from scrimmage, the Buffs fed sophomore running back Micah Welch for 24 yards on three straight carries.
Salter threw his first touchdown at CU with a pass to running back DeKalon Taylor less than three minutes into the first quarter.
From left to right, University of Colorado Boulder players DeKalon Taylor, Dre’lon Miller, Kaidon Salter, and Omarion Miller celebrate a touchdown during the first half of the football game at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo. on Aug. 29, 2025. (Linus Loughry/CU Independent)
Despite starting with great field position, Colorado was unable to get a first down on the next two drives as the first quarter wrapped up with the lone 7-0 score.
Georgia Tech unlocked ‘big play’ ability early in the second quarter by driving 84 yards, with kicker Aidan Birr scoring a 32-yard field goal. The Yellow Jackets followed it up with an 80-yard drive and first touchdown by Haynes King, taking the lead over the Buffs.
Colorado countered with a 51-yard drive and pitch from Salter to Omarian Miller, putting the Buffs in range for Alejandro Mata’s 42-yard kick, which tied the game at 10-10.
Wrapping up the second quarter, Georgia Tech hit a 43-yard field goal, giving them a 13-10 advantage at halftime.
In the third quarter the Buffs offense couldn’t seem to find a consistent tempo. Starting out, Colorado got the ball and picked up 22-yards on a run by Welch; the longest rush of the night for the Buffs. The drive ended with a 29-yard Mata kick, tying the game with six minutes left in the third quarter.
The Yellow Jackets answered with a 17-yard run and touchdown from King, putting Georgia Tech in the lead at 20-13 in the end of the third quarter.
By this point, the one-two ground attack from King and Jamal Haynes were burrowing through the Colorado defense and dictating the pace.
Players clash moments before a throw during the college football game at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo. on Aug. 29, 2025. (Linus Loughry/CU Independent)
Going into the fourth quarter, Salter became more aggressive on the ground in CU’s six-minute, 75-yard touchdown drive to equalize the score with eight minutes and 25 seconds left to play.
Georgia Tech took over with the chance to put the game away, but received back-to-back penalties on the offensive line after a big gain. Ultimately, the Yellow Jackets’ experience and uniform play calls were too much for the Buffs, closing out the win off King’s third rushing touchdown.
The Buffs had an opportunity to pull off a miracle, taking over with 1 minute and 7 seconds to play, but executed poorly and ended the game with two unused timeouts.
“We got out of bounds a couple of times, so we didn’t have to take them,” Sanders said regarding the remaining timeouts. “We were trying to preserve them until we certainly needed them.”
The Buffs’ loss leaves much to be done before retaking the field next Saturday.
Salter finished with 159 yards and a 61% completion percentage, with one touchdown through the air and one on the ground.
University of Colorado Boulder quarterback Kaidon Salter throws the ball down the field during the football game at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo. on Aug. 29, 2025. (Linus Loughry/CU Independent)
The Buffs had 31 rushes and 29 pass attempts under the new offense, with the unit getting 146 yards on the ground, thanks to 64 from Welch. No wide receiver had more than 40 receiving yards, with Taylor being Salter’s top choice with three targets.
Junior Omarion Miller, junior transfer Hykeem Williams, sophomore Dre’lon Miller and sophomore transfer Joseph Williams combined for six receptions for 82 yards, with no scores.
Colorado’s defense got cut up, allowing 463 total yards, including 320 on the ground.
“That’s a tough one,” Sanders said about the loss. “Especially provoking three turnovers and really not coming up. We have to be more explosive, more definitive [and] more decisive with what we’re doing with the ball on offense.”
The Buffs will welcome the University of Delaware on Saturday, Sept. 6 as heavy favorites, hoping to find more success on offense and get in the win column. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time and can be streamed on FOX Sports.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Baylan Wysuph at baylan.wysuph@colorado.edu.
