Deion Sanders isn’t revealing who will be Colorado’s starting quarterback on Saturday night, but the Buffaloes’ head coach has at least found some clarity on the situation.
Following a 36-20 loss at Houston on Friday, Sanders said he had “no idea” what he would do with the quarterback position going forward.
During his weekly press conference on Tuesday, he said he’s made a decision, but didn’t say who will get the nod when the Buffs (1-2) host Wyoming (2-1) on Saturday at Folsom Field (8:15 p.m., ESPN).
“Most definitely I have (decided),” Sanders said.
Fifth-year senior Kaidon Salter, a first-year Buff who transferred from Liberty in December, started the first two games. Redshirt sophomore Ryan Staub got the start on Friday in Houston. True freshman JuJu Lewis, a five-star recruit in the 2025 class who turns 18 on Sunday, is in the mix, too.
Salter showed some nerves in a season-opening 27-20 loss to Georgia Tech – which now sits at No. 18 in the Associated Press Top 25 – but still threw for 159 yards and a touchdown, ran for 43 yards and a score and had the Buffs in position to win in the fourth quarter.
The next week against Delaware, Salter had a strong start in getting the Buffs out to a quick 10-0 lead. But, Sanders had a pre-determined rotation planned for that day and Salter went to the bench after two possessions. He came back in late in the game and finished 13 of 16 for 102 yards and ran for a score.
Lewis struggled when he came in to relieve Salter against Delaware, but Staub seized his moment. He led the Buffs to three touchdowns in four possessions against Delaware, finishing 7-for-10 for 158 yards and two TD passes.
Staub earned the start at Houston, but had a rough night against the Cougars. He completed just 19 of 35 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown, was intercepted twice and missed several throws. Staub also ran for a score.
“Staub didn’t play well. I saw what you saw,” Sanders said after that game. “He did not play well (Friday). It wasn’t his best, to say the least.”
Regardless of who plays at quarterback, Sanders said there are two main traits he’s looking for in that position.
“Leadership and consistency. That’s it,” he said. “That ain’t much to ask for is it?”
Sanders said he doesn’t really have a thought on what the offensive identity “should be,” but he feels confident that progress is being made to get that side of the ball on track.
“We’re getting there, and we’re going to get there within the next … maybe Saturday, maybe a couple games after that,” he said. “But we’re going to get there with the consistency that we desire. I can see it. We’re going to get there.”
A quarter of the way through the regular season, CU ranks 15th in the 16-team Big 12 in scoring (23.7 points per game) and 14th in total offense (334.3 yards per game).
The run game, last in the country the past two years, is dramatically better, but still 15th in the Big 12 (124.0 yards per game). And, the Buffs rank 12th in passing offense (210.3 yards per game) and 14th in passer rating (126.53).
“I’m just as upset as some of you watching, when you watch the TV, or you’re there,” Sanders said of the team as a whole. “I’m just as upset, or even more, because I know what’s supposed to be happening. I hear (the play as it) goes in and I know what’s supposed to be happening, and it don’t happen.
“We’re gonna get it together. I know we have the young men inside that locker room and the coaching staff to get it together.”
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