Houston Tops Colorado as Staub Struggles in Big 12 Opener
Last night, Colorado football faced a tough challenge in Houston, and it didn’t go the way Buffaloes fans were hoping. Coach Deion Sanders had decided to shake things up at quarterback, starting Ryan Staub in place of Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter, but the experiment fell short in a 36-20 loss at TDECU Stadium.
Staub, a redshirt sophomore, had been third on the depth chart just a week ago, and his rapid rise to the starting role was fueled by a brief but impressive performance against Delaware last week. Unfortunately, against the Cougars, Staub’s start was sluggish. His first four drives ended in punts, and the offense struggled to find any rhythm early on. Still, he showed flashes of promise with two touchdown drives before halftime, narrowing Houston’s lead to 16-14.
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Houston, however, dominated the second half. The Cougars’ quarterback, Conner Weigman, scored two rushing touchdowns, while kicker Ethan Sanchez added five field goals on the night. Colorado’s offense, in contrast, was mostly stifled, managing just nine plays for minus-5 yards in the second half. By the end, the final score was 36-20, dropping Colorado to 1-2 on the season, while Houston improved to 3-0 in front of a crowd of 37,899.
Staub finished 19-of-35 passing for 204 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. While he did lead a late touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, it was too little, too late. The Buffaloes’ quarterback situation now remains uncertain. Coach Sanders had hoped to settle on one starter instead of rotating, but after Friday night’s performance, it’s clear more decisions will have to be made. Kaidon Salter, who had started the first two games, could be back under center if Staub doesn’t cement the role.
The game also saw Colorado’s defense struggling to contain Houston’s offense. Running back Dean Connors, who transferred from Rice, made several big plays, including an 18-yard burst before a quarterback sneak extended the Cougars’ lead late in the third quarter. Colorado’s defensive woes were highlighted by Sanders himself, who admitted after the first quarter that the defense looked like “hot garbage.”
Off the field, the game had its lighter moments. A portable toilet, brought for Coach Sanders’ sideline needs, had its tent blown down by a gust of wind—but luckily, it was unoccupied. Meanwhile, scouts from multiple NFL teams, along with representatives from the Pop-Tarts Bowl, were watching closely, adding extra pressure to this Big 12 opener.
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