Kaidon Salter's air raid leads Colorado to 37-20 victory

Omarion Miller makes a jump ball catch in the back of the endzone for a touchdown (Photo by Zachary Giesenschlag/Sko Buffs Sports)

Like the sky above, the Colorado Buffaloes rained down on the Wyoming Cowboys 37-20 in 

Boulder. 

Barryling behind Ralphie VII, the Buffs’ complimentary football kept them in control of the game from start to finish. An 8:15 p.m. start was no hindrance to head coach Deion Sanders’ team this week. 

After taking back the starting job, quarterback Kaidon Salter went electric from the air, completing 18/28 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns. Salter also added 86 yards and a score on the ground as the leading rusher.

"Kaidon Salter came out and played his butt off," Sanders said postgame. "He just made it happen. The timing was impeccable. He made some big throws, some big runs...That's the guy that we wanted to see."

Leaving no doubt on who should be the starter moving forward, he played his best game as a Buff. 

Colorado’s defense also responded in a big way, holding Wyoming to 347 total yards and 20 points. The unit generated two sacks and a safety to highlight their night. Tawfiq Byard was tied as the team’s leading tackler with six total. Arden Walker also had his best game of the season, registering six total tackles and one and a half sacks. 

Wyoming was able to reach 182 yards rushing, while quarterback Kaden Anderson completed less than 50 percent of his passes, going 11-25 for 176 yards and a score. Receiver Chris Dunn Jr. was limited to five receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown. 

Both teams had a slow offensive start as the first quarter went scoreless. Salter’s first score of the game would come early in the second quarter, with a 29-yard touchdown to Omarion Miller. Miller led the team with four receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown. 

After a Cowboys field goal, Salter would respond using his legs to extend the play and find Sincere Brown, who took it 68 yards to the crib. This score opened the floodgates to Salter’s range of weapons. Nine different targets found a ball in their hand from Salter, highlighting the efficiency in the passing game. 

"I'm glad you got an opportunity to see it, because we've seen it for a while now," Sanders said. "We've known we've had those types of receivers, and you haven't even seen the youngsters get down."

Colorado’s offense was hurt with the loss of offensive linemen Jordan Seaton and Zy Crisler to injury. Running back Simeon Price also left the game and was seen wearing a walking boot on his right foot. 

On the ground, the Buffs were efficient as well, rushing for 193 yards. Colorado played arguably their most balanced game as an offense in the Coach Prime era. Late in the game, running back Dallan Hayden received two carries as he worked his way back from a hand injury, a positive sign with the loss of Price.

A rebound against the Cowboys was just what the doctor ordered for the Buffs. A true team effort could be the springboard the Buffs need for their contest next Saturday against Brigham Young University.