Colorado running back Simeon Price runs the ball against Delaware at Folsom Field on Saturday Sept. 6th, 2025 (Rachel Glazer/CU Independent).
Colorado started third-string quarterback Ryan Staub against The University of Houston a week ago but will revert to Kaidon Salter to run the offense on Saturday.
Salter started the season opener for Colorado. However, an opening day loss to Georgia Tech and an impressive, yet momentary showing from Staub against the University of Delaware catapulted him into the starting role, benching Salter. Now, Salter returns in what should be a get-right performance for the struggling Buffs against Wyoming.
Wyoming arrives in Boulder following a 6-31 home loss to the No. 16 University of Utah. Against Utah, the Cowboys didn’t contribute to the scoreboard until the end of the fourth quarter. Before last week, though, Wyoming rolled through its beginning of the season schedule, gathering dominant wins against the University of Akron and the University of Northern Iowa. Early season revelations such as wide receiver Chris Durr Jr., safety Andrew Johnson and running back Terron Kellman already have Wyoming looking like an improved version of the 2024 Cowboys team that went 3-9.
Storylines to watch for Saturday night:
Can Colorado finally stop the run?- For the third time this season the Buffs defense will duel with a run heavy offense and, to this point in the season, the results of said scenario have been ugly. Georgia Tech ran for 320 yards and Houston ran for 209 yards, both resulting in losses for Colorado. Turning to Wyoming, the Cowboys already have three running backs over 100 rushing yards on the season and average almost 160 rushing yards a game. Sam Scott, in his fourth year at Wyoming, is the team’s leader in carries and the power back of the group standing at 6 ‘2, 230 pounds. Junior University of Charlotte transfer Terron Kellman and freshman Samuel Harris provide speed to the running back room with each contributing 130 rushing yards off over 7 yards per carry, thus far.
Those tasked with stopping Wyoming’s trio in the run game include the Buffs’ linebacker group of Reginald Hughes, Martavius French and Jeremiah Brown, and all three have been productive tacklers early in the season. Additionally, they’ve received major help from the secondary, notably by way of hard hitting box safety Tawfiq Byard, who now holds the team lead in tackles with 19 after his impressive 14 tackle game against Houston a week ago.
However, the defensive line has struggled immensely to fill gaps in the run game, contributing in a large part to Colorado’s 4.72 yards allowed per rush. More will be expected out of starting interior defensive linemen Anquin Barnes Jr. and Brandon Davis-Swain, while star Alabama transfer defensive tackle Jehiem Oatis has seen the field sparingly.
“They just miss opportunities,” Colorado head coach Deion Sanders said during his press conference on Tuesday about his team’s run defense. “We just gotta make the play when the play is afforded to us.”
Chris Durr Jr. continuing his breakout season– Through three games of the 2025 season Wyoming sophomore wide receiver Chris Durr Jr. has established a prolific connection with fellow sophomore quarterback Kaden Anderson. Durr Jr. leads the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns, with 16 receptions for 240 yards and 2 touchdowns. The young receiver broke out in the season opener with a 7 reception, 146 yard performance against Akron and has continued to be Anderson’s favorite target through the team’s matchups against Northern Iowa and Utah. Durr Jr.’s production derives from the electrifying shiftiness and explosiveness in his route running and after the catch ability.
At just 5’ 10, 173 pounds, Durr Jr. lacks much in terms of size, but has already put forward his early candidacy for the best receiver in the Mountain West conference in 2025. The Buffs secondary will attack the problem of Durr Jr. through their outstanding group of physical cornerbacks. The Colorado cornerback rotation, consisting of DJ McKinney, RJ Johnson, Makari Vickers and Preston Hodge, are all above 6 ‘0 and capable tacklers. It’ll be this group’s task to prevent Durr Jr. from assuming his role as the Cowboys spark plug Saturday night.
“[Wyoming has] a good decision maker at the quarterback spot, they got a lot of talented young guys in the skill positions. So, you know, we’re looking forward to the challenge,” DJ Mckinney said on Tuesday.
Colorado will take on Wyoming at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 8:15 p.m. MDT. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.
Contact CU Independent Sports Editor Charlie Hewitt at charles.hewitt@colorado.edu.
