Tag: colorado

Freshman QBs face off as West Virginia hosts Colorado

Posted on | by Field Level Media

West Virginia is riding high as it enters a Big 12 tilt against a reeling Colorado squad on Saturday in Morgantown, W. Va.

While the Mountaineers and Buffaloes share identical records at 3-6 overall and 1-5 in conference, it’s West Virginia, in the first year of Rich Rodriguez’s second stint atop the program, looks headed in the right direction.

The Mountaineers went on the road last week and ran all over then-No. 22 Houston 45-35 in their biggest win of the season. Diore Hubbard rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown. Freshman quarterback Scotty Fox Jr. had 65 rushing yards and two touchdowns, and Cyncir Bowers also rushed for 65 yards with a score. Overall, West Virginia racked up a 246-82 edge in rushing yards against the Cougars.

“He played pretty well,” said Rodriguez about Fox. “Especially for a true freshman. He’s taken steps and has played beyond his years in the last two games. You wouldn’t think he’s a true freshman that got thrust into that role.”

Colorado is 0-3 away from home, and coach Deion Sanders has his hands full when it comes to naming a starting quarterback. The Buffaloes were rolled at home 52-17 by Arizona last week, and all three signal callers spent time behind center. Kaidon Salter completed 11 of 15 passes for just 49 yards with
a touchdown and an interception.

Ryan Staub entered in relief and threw two picks in two passes and was sent to the bench in favor of 5-star freshman Julian Lewis, who completed 9 of 17 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown.

The Georgia native’s second pass was a 59-yard touchdown to Omarion Miller. Lewis gets the nod this week to make his first career start for the Buffaloes.

“He’s a young kid. He’s going to make young-kid mistakes,” Sanders said. “It’s up to the staff to get him prepared and to get him ready so he can be concise and precise. He has to make quick reads and get the ball out of there. He has to run when he feels pressure and just be himself. Do what he’s been doing his whole life.”

-Field Level Media

Oct 18, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (1) runs the ball during the second quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Defensively challenged Arizona, Colorado desperate for a win

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Optimistic fans at Arizona and Colorado are looking at their remaining schedules and trying to find enough wins to become bowl eligible.

It’s safe to suggest that Arizona (4-3, 1-3 Big 12) counts Colorado as a potential win while the Buffaloes (3-5, 1-4) are doing the same with the Wildcats as they prepare for Saturday’s showdown in Boulder, Colo.

Arizona, which comes off a bye week, wants to snap a two-game skid. Colorado spent last Saturday suffering a 53-7 loss at Utah.

Home field could be a big advantage for the Buffaloes. They’re 3-2 at home with the only setbacks near-upsets of Georgia Tech (27-20 loss in the season opener) and BYU (24-21 defeat on Sept. 27).

Meanwhile, Arizona has lost its only two road games this season against Iowa State and Houston.

“When I look at Colorado, I think they are a team that is incredibly tough at home,” said Arizona coach Brent Brennan, who is 1-6 on the road in his two seasons with the Wildcats. “We know going into this that we’re going to have to play in an incredible atmosphere. It’s homecoming. It’s sold-out.

“It’s going to be a really challenging atmosphere. Crowd noise, elevation, all that good stuff.”

Another concern for Brennan is the Wildcats’ rush defense, which yielded 490 yards on the ground in its losses the last two games — 258 to BYU and 232 at Houston.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders said Tuesday that he had yet to return to his home after the loss at Utah because of the amount of work needed in all phases after the blowout loss.

“Last week was a tremendous surprise because of the great practices we had,” he said. “These young men have responded tremendously, and I’m proud of them. I’m trying to push every button I can.”

Arizona’s hopes rest on quarterback Noah Fifita, who hit 24 of 26 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns on Oct. 18 at Houston. Fifita has completed 65.9% of his passes for 1,829 yards and 17 touchdowns with four interceptions in seven games this season.

“The kid, to me, is a pro,” Sanders said. “He can play.”

Fifita gets a chance to burnish his reputation against a Colorado unit that ranks No. 119 in team defense in FBS, yielding 427.6 yards a game.

–Field Level Media

Oct 25, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes running back Wayshawn Parker (1) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Byrd Ficklin, Utah thoroughly dismantle Colorado 53-7

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Byrd Ficklin totaled 291 yards on offense while throwing two touchdown passes and running for another to lead Utah to a 53-7 victory over Colorado on Saturday night in Salt Lake City.

Ficklin became the sixth true freshman quarterback to start a game at Utah after filling in for injured starter Devon Dampier. Ficklin made the most of the opportunity, racking up 151 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. He also threw a pair of scoring passes in the second quarter.

Wayshawn Parker added 145 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. The Utes (6-2, 3-2 Big 12) ran for a season-high 422 yards and are bowl eligible in their second Big 12 season after winning just two league games a season ago.

Colorado lost for the 12th time in its last 14 games against Utah. The Buffaloes (3-5, 1-4) endured their worst halftime deficit in a game since 2012 after showing complete ineptitude on both sides of the ball.

Kaidon Salter totaled 37 yards and threw an interception on 9-of-22 passing. The Colorado quarterback faced constant pressure from the Utes’ defense.

Utah dominated with a sizzling rushing attack in the first quarter, racking up 167 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 12.8 yards per carry.

Ficklin opened the scoring when he raced 63 yards for a score on Utah’s second play. Parker then extended the lead to 17-0 when he opened Utah’s fourth drive by sprinting 58 yards to the end zone.

The Utes racked up three more touchdowns in the second quarter to extend their lead to 43-0 going into halftime. Ficklin hit JJ Buchanan on a 22-yard pass and Larry Simmons on a 20-yard grab for two of the scores.

Colorado gave up five sacks and mustered minus-18 total yards in the first half. The Buffaloes were held to minus-41 rushing yards before halftime after eclipsing 100 rushing yards in six of their first seven games.

–Field Level Media

Oct 4, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders on the sidelines during the first half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Colorado coach Deion Sanders returns to practice after surgery

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Colorado coach Deion Sanders was at practice Wednesday, one day after his latest blood-clot related surgery.

Sanders underwent a four-hour procedure to remove multiple blood clots from his left leg on Tuesday. He told reporters earlier that day that he was “hurting like crazy” during Saturday’s 35-21 loss at TCU.

USA Today reported that Sanders was walking around at practice on Wednesday.

Sanders said Tuesday that he will coach the team against visiting Iowa State on Saturday.

Sanders, 58, has a history of blood clot issues. He was bothered by them at Jackson State in 2021 and had two toes amputated during a surgery. He also has had multiple issues at Colorado.

Sanders also battled a form of aggressive bladder cancer this offseason.

Deion Sanders Jr. posted a video on YouTube and said Tuesday’s procedure was his father’s 16th in the past few years.

The coach said Tuesday he doesn’t need to slow down or take time off.

“It has nothing to do with me working in the level that I’m trying to compete at,” Sanders said. “It’s hereditary. It is what it is.”

Colorado (2-4, 0-3 Big 12) has dropped two straight games entering the clash with the No. 22 Cyclones (5-1, 2-1).

–Field Level Media

Oct 4, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht (3) reacts to teammates during the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the second half at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

Coach Matt Campbell praises No. 22 Iowa State’s ‘character’ ahead of clash vs. Colorado

Posted on | by Field Level Media

No. 22 Iowa State will look to shake off its first loss of the season when the Cyclones face Colorado in a Big 12 matinee Saturday in Boulder, Colo.

Colorado hopes to have coach Deion Sanders on the sideline. In his weekly press conference, Sanders said he will have a four-hour procedure and expects to be back at practice on Wednesday. Sanders said last week he was “hurting like crazy” and believed blood clots had returned to his leg.

“It’s a long procedure,” Sanders said Tuesday. “But I am having a procedure today, and prayerfully I’ll be back at practice tomorrow. I don’t plan on missing practice.”

Cyclones coach Matt Campbell said a 38-30 loss at Cincinnati last week came down to a lack of execution in all three phases. Iowa State fell behind 31-7 before a second-half rally came up short.

“For the first time all season, for a quarter and a half we just didn’t have it,” Campbell said. “The character of our football team, to regain it, is really impressive.”

Rocco Becht completed 30 of 48 passes for 314 yards, and a pair of passing and rushing touchdowns. But Iowa State couldn’t overcome injuries as 16 Cyclones missed the game. Even without a full complement of players, Iowa State (5-1, 2-1) racked up 470 yards of offense but surrendered 474 yards to the Bearcats.

Cincinnati held a 260-156 edge in rushing yards.

“We didn’t play great defense in the first half,” Campbell said. “No one is saying we did. But the ability to make adjustments and get ourselves corrected in-game was really impressive.”

While Iowa State started slowly last week, the Buffaloes (2-4, 0-3) mounted a 14-0, first-half lead at TCU. However, the Horned Frogs forced four Colorado turnovers and won 35-21.

Buffaloes quarterback Kaidon Salter connected on 18 of 29 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns, with three interceptions. It’s been an up-and-down campaign for the senior transfer from Liberty. Sanders said Colorado has played well outside of a few quarters of its three-game Big 12 losing streak.

“We haven’t gotten our butts kicked,” Sanders said. “We’ve wrapped up the game and given it to them, and that’s frustrating. But also there’s hope in that. We see where we are messing up. Where the faults are. And we have to fix that. So there’s truly optimism; we are right there.”

Colorado receiver Omarion Miller caught six passes for a season high 89 yards at TCU. The junior also added two touchdown catches. Sophomore receiver Dre’Lon Miller moved to running back and had 14 yards but was part of a contingent that had 35 carries for 126 yards.

The Buffaloes have rushed for 100 yards in five of six games. It’s also the first time since 2022 that Colorado has gone over 100 yards in three straight games.

“We are running the heck out of the ball,” Sanders said. “… We can’t just run with eight players in the box. You’ve got to count the people in the box. You can’t just run because it looks cute on television. We’ve got to do what’s best for our team and take advantage of certain opportunities.”

-Field Level Media

Oct 4, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) stands in the pocket against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

TCU tops Colorado behind Josh Hoover’s 4 TD passes

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Josh Hoover threw four touchdown passes, including the go-ahead score with 5:44 left, and the TCU Horned Frogs beat the Colorado Buffaloes 35-21 in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday night.

Hoover finished 23-for-33 passing for 275 yards and ran for another touchdown. Eric McAlister had two TD catches while Joseph Manjack IV and Lafayette Kaiuway had touchdown receptions for TCU (4-1, 1-1 Big 12 Conference).

The game was tied late when the Horned Frogs were forced to punt, and the ball bounced off Colorado and was recovered by TCU. Hoover then connected with Manjack from 23 yards with the tiebreaking score.

The Buffaloes (2-4, 0-2) got one first down before punting on the ensuing possession, and Hoover hit McAlister for a 21-yard score with 19 seconds left.

Kaidon Salter was 18 of 29 for 217 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions for Colorado. Both TD passes went to Omarion Miller, who finished with six receptions for 89 yards.

The Horned Frogs drove to the Colorado 1 in the first quarter but missed a 30-yard field goal attempt.

The Buffaloes responded with a 13-play, 80-yard drive capped by Salter’s six-yard TD pass to Miller early in the second quarter. Colorado forced a punt and went ahead 14-0 on Salter’s 10-yard keeper with 6:32 remaining in the first half.

TCU answered with two quick scoring drives. Hoover capped the first score with a one-yard plunge to cut the deficit in half, and Bud Clark intercepted Salter two plays later to set up the Horned Frogs at the Colorado 33. Hoover connected with McAlister on a 23-yard scoring strike to tie it with 1:32 left in the second.

The Buffaloes had a chance to take the lead into halftime, but Salter was intercepted at the goal line in the final seconds.

It stayed tied until early in the fourth when Hoover found Kaiuway from 10 yards out to put TCU ahead 21-14. A penalty on the Horned Frogs gave Colorado possession at midfield and five plays later Salter hit Miller from 31 yards out to tie it again.

–Field Level Media

Aug 29, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Kaidon Salter (3) scrambles with the ball in the second quarter against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Reports: Colorado QB Kaidon Salter to start vs. Wyoming

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Kaidon Salter has regained his starting role for Saturday’s home game against the Wyoming Cowboys, according to multiple reports on Wednesday.

Salter, a senior transfer from Liberty, started the Buffaloes’ first two games but lost his job to third-string sophomore Ryan Staub for last Friday’s game at Houston, a 36-20 setback which dropped Colorado to 1-2.

Head coach Deion Sanders, who also inserted true freshman Julian Lewis in the mix, said Tuesday that he had made a decision for the game against Wyoming (2-1) but didn’t reveal it.

Sanders was asked what he needed from the quarterback position.

“Leadership and consistency,” Sanders said Tuesday. “That’s it. That ain’t much to ask for, is it?”

Salter is 30-of-44 passing (68.2 percent) for 261 yards and one touchdown. He has added 67 yards and two TDs on 21 carries.

Staub, who provided a spark in the second half of the 31-7 home victory over Delaware, is 26 of 45 (57.8 percent) for 362 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He has rushed 13 times for 34 yards.

Lewis, who also played against Delaware, has completed two of four passes for 8 yards and rushed twice for minus-7 yards.

–Field Level Media

Who’s the Colorado QB? Deion Sanders not telling

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Colorado coach Deion Sanders might spin the quarterback carousel once more Saturday when the Buffaloes square off with Wyoming.

But Sanders isn’t telling outsiders who Colorado will deploy following a 36-20 loss to Houston last week that dropped the team to 1-2 this season. Ryan Staub made his second consecutive start in that game, but the results left something to be desired.

“I don’t think we’re in a car just running aimlessly the wrong way,” Sanders said Tuesday. “I don’t feel that way. I feel like we could be better, and we are better. We just had a hiccup there and a hiccup there that has disarmed us in its totality. And it’s no excuse for what transpired last week. No excuse for that.”

Shedeur Sanders was the team’s starter last season before entering the NFL draft along with Heisman Trophy-winning receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter.

Kaidon Salter, a transfer from Liberty, started the season-opening loss to Georgia Tech.

After Salter opened the game, Sanders rotated Colorado’s top three quarterbacks for consecutive series in a 31-7 win against Delaware on Sept. 6.

Freshman JuJu Lewis is also in the running to get more playing time.

“I think we have the young men,” Sanders said. “I don’t think, I know, we have the young men inside that locker room and the coaching staff to get it together.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars quarterback Conner Weigman (1) attempts a pass during the first quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Houston opens Big 12 slate with home win over Colorado

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Conner Weigman was 15-for-24 passing for 222 yards and had 17 carries for 83 yards and two touchdowns to lead Houston to a 36-20 home win over Colorado in the Big 12 opener for both teams on Friday night.

Dean Connors had 22 carries for 89 yards and a touchdown, while Stephon Johnson had five receptions for 117 yards. Blake Thompson and Wrook Brown each had an interception. Ethan Sanchez connected on field goals from 52, 43, 47, 35 and 49 yards for Houston (3-0, 1-0 Big 12).

Ryan Staub completed 19 of 35 passes for 204 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Simeon Price rushed for a touchdown, Joseph Williams had a touchdown catch and Zach Atkins scored a touchdown after recovering Staub’s fumble in the end zone for the Buffaloes (1-2, 0-1).

It was a decisive third quarter for the Houston offense, which outgained Colorado 123-0 and held a 12:49-2:11 edge in time of possession. The Buffaloes ran just five plays as Houston chewed up the third-quarter clock with two scoring drives that totaled 25 plays.

The Cougars’ first drive of the second half lasted 8:35 and ended with the fourth Sanchez field goal for a 19-14 lead.

After a Colorado three-and-out, Weigman punctuated a 76-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown on a quarterback sneak that gave Houston a 26-14 lead. Weigman juked his way into the end zone on a 7-yard touchdown run and Houston took a 33-14 lead with 11:39 to play.

A 4-yard touchdown run by Connors gave Houston a 10-0 lead at the 3:52 mark of the first quarter. After Colorado punted on its first four possessions and gained just 42 yards, it engineered back-to-back scoring drives in the second quarter.

The first drive featured Price bursting between the tackles for a 38-yard touchdown run that cut Houston’s lead to 13-7. On Colorado’s next possession, Staub was hit as he dove for the goal line and fumbled, which Atkins recovered in the end zone with 26 seconds left in the second quarter. Colorado trailed 16-14 at halftime.

Staub connected with Williams for a 37-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

–Field Level Media

Sep 6, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Ryan Staub (16) calls for the ball in the second half against the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Who will start at QB for Colorado at Houston? Deion’s not saying

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Colorado will keep its starting quarterback a mystery as it travels to Houston to play the Big 12 opener for both teams on Friday night.

Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders denied reports that Ryan Staub would start the game.

The Buffaloes (1-1) used a three-quarterback rotation in a 31-7 home win against Delaware last Saturday, but it was Staub who served as catalyst for the Colorado passing attack.

The sophomore was the third Buffaloes’ signal-caller and connected on 7 of 10 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns.

“I’m not confirming nothing to y’all,” said Sanders, who added he wants to commit to a full-time starter. “We ain’t like that. We are good. We have capable guys. Staub has done a phenomenal job and got the majority of the reps. But I haven’t made that assessment or that decision yet (on a starter).”

While which quarterback the Cougars (2-0) will face remains uncertain, coach Willie Fritz noted his defense, which is ranked No. 4 nationally, will prepare for the Colorado system in general.

“You look at the plays that were called, and they played all three guys this past game against Delaware,” Fritz said. “They’ve got an offense where one guy does something different than the other. But they have an offense they run with an NFL offensive coordinator (Pat Shurmur, for multiple teams). They do a great job of mixing run and pass and doing a whole lot of different things.”

While Staub lit up Delaware with big plays through the air, Houston did its damage in a 35-9 win over Rice on the ground. Dean Connors rushed 13 times for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Cougars quarterback Conner Weigman was 15-for-22 for 188 yards and had a passing and rushing touchdown.

“They are doing some remarkable things offensively, moving the ball,” Sanders said. “They have a running back that can flat out hit it. And when he hits it, he’s out of there. They have some receivers that can get the job done and defensively have some guys that can cover.”

–Field Level Media