Talk about a debut! Kaidon Salter certainly gave Coach Prime’s Colorado Buffaloes fans a glimpse of the future, despite a hard-fought battle against Georgia Tech. This new QB showed incredible flashes of brilliance under pressure. Did he do enough to prove he’s the real deal?
The departure of Shedeur Sanders from Colorado left a monumental void in the Buffaloes’ locker room, particularly at the pivotal quarterback position, as his sights were firmly set on the NFL. This created an immediate challenge for head coach Deion Sanders, affectionately known as Coach Prime, who had to quickly identify a new signal-caller capable of leading the Colorado Buffaloes. The offseason saw the arrival of two promising talents: transfer Kaidon Salter, bringing some collegiate experience, and highly-touted freshman Julian Lewis.
Camp and training quickly underscored the invaluable nature of experience, with Kaidon Salter ultimately securing the starting quarterback role over Lewis for the season opener. His first major test came against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, a game that initially saw some shaky returns from the new QB1. The pressure was immense, stepping into the shoes of a celebrated predecessor and carrying the hopes of a passionate fanbase.
Despite early inconsistencies, one of Salter’s defining moments came with a spectacular touchdown strike to Dekalon Taylor. As the pocket collapsed under heavy pressure, Salter demonstrated remarkable poise, rolling left to evade defenders and, with exceptional accuracy, threaded the ball through a tight window. This play not only resulted in crucial points but also vividly showcased his improvisational ability and composure under duress, a promising sign for Colorado Buffaloes fans.
Another impressive display of his arm talent materialized on a deep pass to Omarion Miller down the left sideline. With the offensive line holding its protection, Kaidon Salter stepped confidently into the throw and delivered a perfectly weighted ball. Miller, in turn, outmaneuvered the Georgia Tech secondary, demonstrating incredible body control to stay in bounds and complete the long reception, highlighting both Salter’s precise touch and Miller’s athletic prowess.
By the third quarter, Salter visibly settled into his rhythm, improving his statistics to 7-of-12 for 69 yards and a touchdown, while also contributing 26 valuable rushing yards. His ability to adapt and grow within the game, particularly in a high-stakes college football environment, offered a glimpse into his potential as a leading quarterback under Coach Prime’s guidance.
However, the game narrative also underscored persistent defensive struggles for the Colorado Buffaloes. While Salter and the offense managed to tie the score, the defense consistently allowed the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to break through. Their dual-threat quarterback, Haynes King, proved particularly problematic, frequently finding avenues to exploit Colorado’s defense and capping off his stellar performance with a game-clinching touchdown.
Ultimately, Colorado could not mount a late-game comeback, reminiscent of their defining victories from the previous season, resulting in a 27-20 defeat to Georgia Tech at Folsom Field. The defense, much like in prior seasons, proved porous, surrendering a significant 463 total yards. The run defense, in particular, struggled immensely, giving up 320 yards on the ground, including a critical 45-yard run by King.
Despite the tough loss, there were discernible bright spots for the Colorado Buffaloes. The offensive line showed marked improvement, and the running game demonstrated increased effectiveness compared to the previous season. Most notably, Kaidon Salter’s debut performance, characterized by moments of brilliance and resilience, hinted at significant upside and a promising future for the new quarterback, even as the team looks ahead to their next challenge against Delaware.
