Buffs offense storms past No.22 Iowa State

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Kaidon Salter overcame a slow start to complete his best game of the season on Saturday. (Photo by Cristian Blanco/Sko Buffs Sports)

The Colorado Buffaloes (3-4, 1-3 Big 12), led by inspired play from quarterback Kaidon Salter and the rest of the offense, completed something that NFL signal caller Shedeur Sanders only did once as a Buff. They beat a ranked team.

At the hands of Salter and Co., the No. 22 Iowa State Cyclones (5-2, 2-2) were exposed and beaten 24-17 on Saturday evening. The ISU defense allowed 395 yards, and at the end of the game, it was unable to get off the field.

In their previous two matches, the Buffs’ offense only mustered 14 combined second-half points. On Saturday alone, the offense exploded for 17.

Salter ended the day with 255 yards and two touchdowns off 16 completions with an extra 57 yards on the ground. The quarterback shrugged off early-game struggles to earn his first signature win in black and gold.

“He stood up and stood out, he did his thing… I’m happy for him,” head coach Deion Sanders said after the win.

On the first drive, the offense was pinned inside its own 10. Two quick runs, along with a pass that was five yards behind the sticks, resulted in a quick three-and-out. The ensuing offensive possession also ended quickly

Following a stop by the defense, Salter orchestrated a 12-play drive that spanned over five minutes.

Salter had a run for 24 yards, then another scramble for seven and a first down. A pass to wide receiver Omarion Miller resulted in a pass interference that placed the Buffs inside the red zone. Running back Micah Welch scampered into the endzone from eight yards out to put Colorado on the board.

In the final seconds of the second quarter, freshman receiver Quentin Gibson had a great kick return that set the offense in great position before halftime. The offense ran two quick plays for 20 yards to place the team within Buck Buchanan’s field goal range, but his subsequent field goal attempt came up a yard short.

Despite various opportunities for CU to extend its lead, the offense was unable to capitalize on them. On six offensive possessions in the first half, the Buffs went three-and-out four times.

Heading into halftime, Iowa State led Colorado 10-7. The CU defense held the Cyclones to 10 points, but the offense had largely been unable to capitalize on good field position that was constantly handed to them. To this point, Salter had only completed 57% of his passes for 89 yards. 

But a minute into the second half, Salter found a wide-open Miller, who waltzed up the left hashes to score a quick 70-yard touchdown and reclaim the lead.

The ISU offense quickly responded with a touchdown of its own, bu the CU offense then drove 52 yards in 10 plays to score its second touchdown of the third quarter. 

On the drive, Salter converted a crucial third-and-9 with a 14-yard scramble, and receiver Joseph Williams had three catches for 25 yards, including the three-yard snag in the endzone that gave the Buffs a 21-17 lead. The sophomore ended the game with eight receptions for 128 yards and a score.

“He made amazing catches today, he’s a dawg,” Salter said. “He comes to work every day. He’s one of the leaders… Everyone knows what he’s able to do, and today he was able to show it… He did amazing today.”

Following a huge fourth-down stop by the Colorado defense in opponent territory, kicker Alejandro Mata extended the lead to seven. Despite the score, the offense was once again unable to score a touchdown despite its amazing field position.

On Colorado’s final drive, the game was in arm's reach of sealing. On a third-and-17 within two minutes of the final whistle, Salter once again connected with Williams, this time for 38 yards and the win. 

The Buffs have a week off before they head to Rice-Eccles Stadium to take on the Utah Utes (4-1, 1-1). The cross-border showdown is set to kick off on Saturday, Oct. 25.