Colorado’s Kaidon Salter rushes down the field against Wyoming at Folsom Field on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Tyler Phillips/CU Independent)
Folsom Field hosted its second-largest crowd in 17 years on Saturday night as the University of Colorado Buffaloes (2-2, 0-1 Big 12) faced off against the University of Wyoming Cowboys (2-2). The ongoing quarterback dilemma finally found a direction, as senior Kaidon Salter played the entirety of the game under center and impressed. He put together the best QB performance of the year, throwing for three touchdowns en route to the Buffs 37-20 victory.
It was announced Wednesday that Salter was given the starting job, following sophomore Ryan Staub’s brief moment in the spotlight against the University of Delaware and the University of Houston.
Colorado came in as 12.5-point favorites, getting the opportunity to bounce back against a weaker team and replenish some energy in the locker room.
Although the Buffs didn’t score on their opening drive, Salter came out more confident and utilized his ability to run early on. After defensive stops on both sides, CU took over with five minutes left in the first quarter and went on a 21-3 run all the way into halftime.
The first touchdown was a 29-yard pinpoint throw over the middle to junior receiver Omarion Miller. The second was a floated 20-yard pass to graduate receiver Sincere Brown who charged the final 50-yards down on the sideline and into the end zone. The third consecutive was punched in by senior running back Simeon Price after a set-up 20-yard pick up from Miller, and in the blink of an eye the Buffs were up 18.
Colorado’s Omarion Miller grapples with a Wyoming player to catch a pass at Folsom Field on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Tyler Phillips/CU Independent)
What we saw from Salter against Georgia Tech and Delaware was the complete opposite in his three straight scoring drives Saturday. Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur let him play more freely and aggressively downfield, not running the uniform and conservative offense of previous games.
After receiving the kickoff at the start of the second half, the Buffaloes kept their foot on the pedal and struck again off a 47-yard touchdown pass to Joseph Williams. The sophomore transfer made an impressive contested catch on an underthrown ball, putting the Buffs comfortably up, 28-3.
“We held each other accountable,” head coach Deion Sanders said on what changed in the offense’s performance. “Not only holding the players accountable, but the coaches, us holding each other accountable as well.”
After executing four touchdown drives out of five total, the team slowed down and gave Wyoming the opportunity to make it a one-score game. The Cowboys quickly went 75 yards in 1:30 of game time for their first touchdown, and followed it up with a 38-yard field goal to make it 28-13. In the closing moments of the third quarter, Colorado’s sophomore running back Micah Welch fumbled on a break-away touchdown, giving Wyoming the ball at the one.
The Cowboys stared down 99 yards from the end zone, preparing for a long drive to get back into the game. That dream ended on the first play after senior defensive end Arden Walker got to the quarterback to force a safety, squashing any momentum Wyoming was building on.
Salter officially put the game on ice with a 35-yard running touchdown to win 37-20. He finished with three touchdown passes off 304 yards, with an additional 86 yards and one score on the ground.
Miller was the standout receiver, ending with 88 yards, six receptions and a touchdown.
“The young men couldn’t wait to get out there and perform,” Sanders said. “They had a chip on their shoulder cause they wanted to prove that they can [perform].”
Colorado begins treacherous Big 12 play against No. 25 Brigham Young University (3-0, 0-0 Big 12) next Saturday at Folsom Field. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. MT and will be streamed live on ESPN.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Baylan Wysuph at baylan.wysuph@colorado.edu.
