Kaidon Salter shines in win over Wyoming

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Kaidon Salter jogs into the end zone for a win-sealing touchdown against the Wyoming Cowboys. The senior neared 400 all-purpose yards on Saturday. (Photo by Cristian Blanco/Sko Buffs Sports)

In his return to the starting lineup, transfer quarterback Kaidon Salter ripped through the Wyoming Cowboys (2-2) defense for 304 yards passing with three touchdowns through the air, plus another extra 86 yards on the ground and a score. 

The 22-year-old led the Colorado Buffaloes (2-2) to a 37-20 win, and for the first time this season, looked like the dynamic quarterback the Buffs had fought so hard to bring to Boulder.

Through the first drive, it was unclear if Salter had improved since his first two starts of the season. The quarterback used his legs to pick up 17 yards and a first down, but almost immediately lost 14 after taking a sack that derailed the drive.

Following a good defensive possession by the Buffs, Salter orchestrated a 13-play drive that resulted in a perfectly-placed touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Omarion Miller.

After the Cowboys scored their first points of the game four minutes into the second quarter, Salter engineered a drive that resulted in his second touchdown of the night. On a third-and-9, he scrambled away from Wyoming’s defensive linemen and found wide receiver Sincere Brown, who waltzed into the endzone to score a 68-yard touchdown.

It was clear that Salter felt more comfortable on Saturday than he had all season. He was constantly trusting his receivers to come down with contested catches.

“Plays like that win us games,” Salter said following the game. “We got big, explosive receivers I know I can trust.”

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Kaidon Salter signs his autograph on Saturday. (Cristian Blanco/Sko Buffs Sports)

Four minutes before the end of the half, Salter once again marched the offense down the field. The quarterback found sophomore receiver Drelon Miller twice and then connected with O. Miller on a 19-yard pass to set up a one-yard rushing touchdown for running back Simeon Price.

Salter led CU into halftime up 21-3 and had already tripled his throwing touchdown total on the season. The 22-year-old went 10-for-18 with 192 yards and tallied 20 yards rushing.

To open up the second half, Salter evaded defenders and rushed for 20 yards and another first down. One play later, the quarterback sat in the pocket and unleashed a 47-yard dart over the middle that found sophomore receiver Joseph Williams in the endzone to extend the lead to 25.

Salter and the offense were restricted for most of the rest of the game, which allowed the Cowboys to keep themselves within two scores with over two minutes remaining.

In the final two minutes, Salter ran untouched to score a 45-yard touchdown and effectively put the game out of reach.

CU offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur shied away from the bubble screens that had plagued the Buffs all season long, which benefited Salter and allowed for his skillset to be better utilized. With the new-look offense, he threw for more yards this game than he had in his previous two starts combined while also doubling his rushing yards.

“He came back and played his butt off,” Colorado head coach Deion Sanders said after the win. “He made it happen… That’s the guy we wanted to see.”

For the first time in three weeks, the Buffs have their starter penciled in a week in advance. Salter will be at the helm.

The Buffs will host the BYU Cougars (3-0) on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. MT (ESPN).