Sophomore center back Makari Vickers attempts to tackle a Houston player at the game at Houston on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (Tyler Phillips/CU Independent)
On Friday night the University of Colorado Buffaloes (1-2, 0-1 Big 12) led a revitalized locker room into a Big 12 match-up with the University of Houston (3-0, 1-0 Big 12). Under the leadership of sophomore quarterback Ryan Staub, the Buffs were unable to hit the ground running, but fell short in the 36-20 loss.
Staub eagerly led the Buffs onto the field for his second career start under center after beginning the season third on the quarterback depth chart behind senior transfer Kaidon Salter and 5-star true-freshman Julian Lewis. He won the starting job after leading two efficient touchdown drives against the University of Delaware Sept. 6, but couldn’t replicate that magic Friday.
Houston set the tone by controlling the first quarter, scoring twice and holding Colorado to two first downs. Staub and the offense couldn’t find a groove, obtaining 28 yards on the opening drive but followed up with three consecutive possessions without achieving a first down.
Down 13-0 in the second quarter, the offense eventually executed a 93-yard touchdown drive thanks to senior running back Simeon Price breaking free for a 38 yard score. The Cougars kept their foot on the pedal with another seamless drive resulting in a field goal, getting points on their first four out of five drives.
Trailing by nine, Staub led one of the better possessions of the season to build momentum before the half, marching 88 yards in a 1:13. He found junior wide receiver Omarion Miller for 36 yards and sophomore running back Micah Welch for 25 before taking matters into his own hands, running 19 yards before fumbling just short of the goal line only for Colorado tight end Zach Atkins to recover the ball in the endzone to make it a one-possession game.
However, Houston ultimately won the game in the third quarter, opening with a near nine-minute drive to find the uprights and go up 19-14. Any speck of momentum the Buffs had at the end of the second quarter diminished, with their next four drives resulting in a punt, interception, punt and turnover on downs. The Cougars held the ball for 12 of the 15 minutes in the quarter and went up 26-14 to sweep the Buffs away.
Three minutes into the fourth quarter Colorado surrendered a 61-yard touchdown drive and never clawed back, losing 36-20.
Staub was able to connect with sophomore wideout Joseph Williams for a 37 yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter but it was too little too late.
The University Colorado’s head coach Deion Sanders talks to the buffs at the game at Houston on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (Tyler Phillips/CU Independent)
Outside a handful of good plays, Staub played underwhelmingly, finishing with 204 passing yards and two interceptions. He had one touchdown through the air, but was outplayed by a Houston offense that pounded the run and consistently moved the ball. Although the Cougars’ quarterback Conner Weigman wasn’t much better than Staub as a passer, he was responsible for two rushing touchdowns and 83 yards on the grass.
“I’m at a loss for words,” head coach Deion Sanders said after the game. “No one could’ve told me this game would turn out like this.”
Colorado’s passing game was immaterial once again, not having a wideout collect over 60 yards, or more than three receptions. Even for the game plan by offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur that wanted to favor the pass, Staub had 16 incompletions for a 54% completion percentage (19-for-35).
“I take full responsibility of the foolishness that went on out there,” Sanders said. “We gotta do better in every phase of the game, we gotta do better preparing our kids, we gotta do better, period.”
The Buffs will look to bounce back, returning to Folsom Field next weekend to welcome the University of Wyoming. The game will kick off at 8:15 p.m. MT on Saturday, Sep. 20, and will be broadcast live on ESPN.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Baylan Wysuph at baylan.wysuph@colorado.edu.
