Senior quarterback Kaidon Salter rushes to make a touchdown at the game against Delaware at Folsom Field on Saturday Sept. 6th, 2025 (Rachel Glazer/CU Independent).
The University of Colorado Buffaloes defeated the University of Delaware Fighting Blue Hens last Saturday 31-7 in a three quarterback performance from Kaidon Salter, Julian “JuJu” Lewis and Ryan Staub.
While there was significant buzz around the debut of Lewis, a five-star true freshman, redshirt-sophomore Ryan Staub was the one who elevated the Buffaloes’ offense to a new level.
Salter got the start and led two efficient drives for 80 passing yards before Colorado head coach Deion Sanders gave Lewis the tap.
Lewis, who came out of Carrollton High School in Georgia as the 10th ranked quarterback in the 2025 class according to 247 Sports, was met with a roar from the Colorado student section. Lewis’ first snap was a handoff to senior running back Simeon Price who took the ball 24 yards upfield before leaping nearly five feet in the air on a hurdle over a Delaware defender. The Colorado crowd couldn’t have been more eager to see more from the true freshman.
Lewis had his first pass go for negative yards before connecting with fellow freshman Quentin Gibson on an 11-yard outside the numbers. His first drive ended in a sack with no points to show, and the second drive was no better, the Fighting Blue Hens holding the score to 10-0.
Delaware’s offense showed their ability for explosive plays as well. Quarterback Nick Minicucci connected with Jake Thaw for a 45-yard gain late in the second quarter. Colorado’s defense seemed to struggle as the Fighting Blue Hens found their footing, scoring with just 45 seconds left in the half, to trail Colorado 10-7.
Colorado then made another change in the offensive lineup, putting third-string quarterback Staub in for the final drive of the half.
A 23-yard rush by senior running back DeKalon Taylor with just 20 seconds left in the half energized the Buffs. In a clean pocket and time winding down, Staub stayed poised, finding a wide open Taylor who went untouched into the endzone, putting the Buffs up 17-3 at the half.
On the Buffs’ second-half opening drive, Staub did it again, connecting with senior wide receiver Sincere Brown for a 71-yard touchdown pass down the left sideline, sending the Colorado crowd into a frenzy.
What energy the Colorado crowd had for the debut of Lewis was quickly transferred to support for Staub. In just nine plays across two drives, both lasting under 75 seconds, Staub outshone both the guys above him on the depth chart. Twenty-one of Colorado’s eventual 31 points came on drives led by Staub.
“[Staub] just goes down there and gets his work in and makes sure he’s sharp,” said Sanders. “I told him he was going to get his opportunity and he got his opportunity.”
“This whole week I wasn’t really expecting to play,” Staub said. “I was just waiting on an opportunity. I didn’t know it was going to be a two-minute drill, and the rest is just history.”
Salter came back to finish the game, but seemed to struggle to replicate his first drive success and efficiency and was sacked three times. Colorado won 31-7, with an early score in the fourth quarter.
In a game that saw three Colorado quarterbacks, including the highly anticipated Lewis, Staub proved himself as a capable offensive leader.
“[Staub] balled out so much that the whole student section was chanting his name,” Sanders said postgame.
“There’s been a lot of days of work, and some self-doubt, and my own battles,” Staub said. “It’s crazy to be rewarded this way. It doesn’t really feel real.”
The quarterback situation remains uncertain for next week’s game, but Sanders remains confident. “I’m not lost for direction,” he said following the game.
The Colorado Buffaloes are back in action on the road against the University of Houston Cougars at 5:30 p.m. MDT next Friday, September 12. The game will be streamed live on ESPN.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Jake Chau at jake.chau@colorado.edu.
