After a number of disappointing performances at Folsom Field, including at times the appearance of sleep-walking through critical game-day duties, a key position was solidified for Colorado.
And the quarterback spot might have stabilized as well.
Ralphie VII hit the ground running in a spirited debut, as did Kaidon Salter in a spirited return as the Buffaloes’ starting quarterback. It was a refreshing Saturday night party at Folsom all-around, one that featured a much-needed 37-20 victory against Wyoming and an end, at least for now, of the Buffs’ quarterback debate.
Salter answered the challenge and stole the show. Was it enough to stir faith that the Buffs — up-and-down during nonconference play, dreadful in their first league test so far — can get things settled to be a factor in the Big 12 race?
Definitely maybe.
Salter’s response to his one-plus game benching might have been the tonic the fifth-year senior needed to fully take control of CU’s attack. But Wyoming probably didn’t provide enough competition to declare the Buffs are back quite the way CU fans can proudly declare that Ralphie’s back.
First things first, though. Salter finally delivered on the promise he brought with him as a graduate transfer from Liberty expected to hold down the fort until five-star freshman JuJu Lewis is ready to take over. He didn’t force throws. While he at times looked tentative and indecisive during his CU debut in the opener against Georgia Tech, Salter was in charge against the Cowboys. Billed as a dual-threat quarterback, Salter put those skills together against Wyoming, using his legs to churn out 86 rushing yards while also throwing for 304 yards and three touchdowns.
Salter’s second touchdown toss, a 68-yard play to Sincere Brown midway through the second quarter, was particularly tantalizing, as Salter broke from the pocket, rolled right, and found an improvising Brown in full stride on a play that started to put distance between the Buffs and Pokes. It was the sort of break-the-script execution that keeps defensive coordinators up at night, and one that only Salter can make among the trio of signal-callers that have taken snaps for the Buffs so far.
Still, while the Buffs got right, the preamble to the season is over.
CU completes the first third of the season at 2-2, but it’s the middle third that will prove just what sort of mettle the 2025 Buffs are made of. The next three games feature three of the Big 12’s four programs ranked in this week’s Associated Press top 25, beginning with a visit Saturday from BYU, which entered this week’s poll at No. 25. The final game of that middle third is on Oct. 25 at Utah, which was No. 16 last week but dropped out of this week’s rankings after getting rolled at home by Texas Tech, which climbed to No. 12.
The Buffs put together the performance they needed against Wyoming on the other side of the ball as well, but the CU defense enters BYU week beaten up along the front line and still vulnerable to big plays. Remember, Wyoming’s offense managed only 10 points against an Akron team that turned around and surrendered 68 against Nebraska.
The fallout from the latest round of injuries will play a key factor in how the Buffs fare in the upcoming challenge of the middle third of the season. Standout left tackle Jordan Seaton exited the Wyoming game, and while head coach Deion Sanders expressed optimism during his postgame press conference that none of Saturday’s physical setbacks will be long-term problems, any version of CU’s offensive line that doesn’t feature a fully healthy Seaton is an average line at best.
Running backs DeKalon Taylor and Simeon Price limped out of the Wyoming game, although the first appearance this season from Dallan Hayden reinforces some of that depth at running back. CU also will be without defensive lineman Anquin Barnes for the first half against BYU after he was flagged for a targeting penalty during the second half against Wyoming.
Still, Ralphie is back and so is a clear QB1. Happy times, and a moment that should be savored. Because it only gets incrementally more difficult from here.