Heading into the 2025 season, all eyes were on Colorado football to see how the program would look without former stars Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, both now in the NFL. On Friday night, Deion Sanders’ revamped Buffaloes got off to a rocky start.
Despite jumping out early, Colorado faded late and dropped a tight home opener to Georgia Tech, 27-20. Plenty of issues surfaced, but the passing game stood out as a major culprit.
New quarterback Kaidon Salter, a much-hyped transfer from Liberty, never quite synced with his receivers. Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur kept things conservative, rarely attacking downfield. While Salter flashed his ability to extend plays and push the ball vertically, accuracy was a persistent problem.
What did shine through was Salter’s athleticism. Known for his dual-threat skill set, he showcased it often. “He’s a dual threat, and we want him to be a dual threat,” Sanders told ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg afterward.
Salter led the Buffs in rushing with 13 carries for 43 yards and a touchdown, part of a 146-yard team effort on the ground. That was a clear step forward for a program that has struggled mightily to run the ball in recent seasons. Still, his passing line—17-for-28 for just 159 yards—left plenty to be desired.
On the other side, Colorado’s defense couldn’t contain the Yellow Jackets’ rushing attack, surrendering a staggering 320 yards. Quarterback Haynes King torched them with 156 rushing yards and three scores on 19 carries. Adding to the frustration, the Buffs cashed in only seven points off three first-quarter Georgia Tech turnovers.
Looking ahead, Colorado’s schedule softens with Delaware and Wyoming before diving into Big 12 play. As Salter settles in, expect his legs to remain a central piece of the Buffaloes’ offense—and perhaps the key to keeping them afloat.
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