The Colorado Buffaloes might be making a bold move at quarterback as they get ready for their Week 3 road game against the Houston Cougars. Reports say redshirt sophomore Ryan Staub is expected to start, which is a pretty big deal for this team.
This game stands out as Colorado’s Big 12 season opener. Head Coach Deion Sanders has confirmed that Staub’s getting more reps in practice, but he hasn’t officially named him the starter just yet.
All this comes after Staub’s strong showing in Colorado’s recent win over Delaware. He really showed off some playmaking ability and turned a few heads.
Ryan Staub’s Journey to the Starting Lineup
Staub’s climb from third-string quarterback to possible starter is honestly pretty wild. Before the Delaware game, his main job was signaling plays from the sidelines.
Then, suddenly, he’s taking live snaps and making things happen. The shift has been impressive, to say the least.
Performance Against Delaware
During Week 2 against Delaware, Staub came off the bench in the first half and wasted no time making an impact. He threw for 157 yards and two touchdowns, putting up a passer rating of 267.9 and completing 70% of his passes.
That kind of performance doesn’t just go unnoticed—it gets people talking, fans and coaches alike.
Deion Sanders’ Perspective
Coach Sanders hasn’t been shy about praising Staub’s character and work ethic. He’s called Staub *the ultimate teammate* and *the ultimate character guy*, which says a lot about what Sanders values.
It’s clear Sanders cares about more than just star ratings. He wants players who fit the team culture and can handle pressure when it counts.
Kaidon Salter and Julian Lewis: The Other Quarterbacks
Before Staub jumped into the spotlight, Liberty transfer and fifth-year senior Kaidon Salter started Colorado’s first two games. Freshman Julian Lewis also saw some snaps in Week 2.
Salter has been steady, if not flashy, with 261 passing yards, one touchdown, and a passer rating of 125.5 over two games. He’s added 67 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns as well.
Salter’s Performance
Salter’s numbers show a solid, if unspectacular, start. He’s completed 68.2% of his passes and hasn’t thrown any picks, which is always good to see.
Still, with Staub’s breakout, Salter’s grip on the starting job looks a little shaky right now.
Julian Lewis’ Role
Julian Lewis, the freshman, hasn’t played much yet but has flashed some potential. His role could grow, depending on how things shake out at quarterback.
Colorado’s Season So Far
Colorado’s season has been a bit up and down. They kicked things off with a 27-20 home loss to Georgia Tech, which exposed a few early issues.
But then they bounced back, beating Delaware 31-7. That game was closer than the score suggests—they were only up 10-7 with under a minute left in the first half before finally pulling away.
Game Against Georgia Tech
The opener against Georgia Tech was tough. Colorado put up a fight but came up short, which made it pretty clear there was work to do.
It was a bit of a reality check, honestly. There were signs they needed better execution and more consistency.
Victory Over Delaware
The Delaware win was a nice turnaround. The team showed some grit and made solid adjustments, especially on offense.
Staub’s performance really gave them a boost when they needed it most.
Looking Ahead: The Houston Matchup
Now, as Colorado gears up for their Big 12 opener against Houston, everyone’s watching the quarterback spot. The possibility of Staub starting adds a whole new twist to this matchup.
Houston’s definitely going to be ready for a Colorado offense that could look a bit different with Staub at the helm.
Houston’s Defense
Houston’s defense isn’t going to make things easy. They’re known for playing aggressive and will be looking to rattle Staub and the Buffaloes’ offense.
How Staub handles that pressure? That might be the story of the night.
Key Players to Watch
- Ryan Staub: Can he pull off another big game like he did against Delaware?
- Kaidon Salter: Will he get another shot to lead the offense?
- Julian Lewis: Could he see more snaps if things get wild?
One way or another, these guys are going to shape not just this game, but maybe the rest of Colorado’s season too.
Conclusion
The potential quarterback change for Colorado adds a fascinating twist to their upcoming game against Houston.
Ryan Staub’s jump from third-string to possible starter? That’s a real testament to his grit, and honestly, it says a lot about how much faith the coaches have in him.
The Buffaloes are heading into their Big 12 opener, and, let’s be honest, everyone’s going to be watching the quarterbacks closely.
If you want more details, the original report is over at Fox Sports.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
