Colorado beats Wyoming 37-20 behind Kaidon Salter’s 304 yards & 4 TDs. Deion Sanders’ Buffs restore confidence. Game recap, key players, prediction & what’s next.
Quick snapshot — Wyoming vs Colorado
Colorado Buffaloes defeated the Wyoming Cowboys 37-20 at Folsom Field, as Kaidon Salter threw for 304 yards and four total touchdowns to lead CU’s first Big 12 victory and silence many early season doubters.
Why Colorado vs Wyoming mattered
- Colorado needed to bounce back. After a disappointing loss to Houston (36-20), CU under Deion Sanders was under pressure. This game against Wyoming was seen as a “get-right” opportunity.
- Quarterback clarity. There had been debate over who should start at QB — Kaidon Salter (transfer from Liberty), Ryan Staub, or Julian Lewis. The team reverted to Salter, and he delivered. Important for consistency moving forward.
- Momentum in the Big 12. As CU transitions in the Big 12 environment, every conference matchup matters. Wins (especially at home) build credibility, help recruiting, and restore fan belief. Wyoming offered a test of defensive resolve and execution.
Game summary & key moments (Wyoming vs Colorado, 37-20)
| Phase | What Happened / Turning Points |
|---|---|
| First Half | Colorado took control early. Kaidon Salter connected with Omarion Miller for a 29-yard TD strike. Sincere Brown broke free for a 68-yard touchdown. Simeon Price added a rushing touchdown before halftime. CU led 21-3. |
| Second Half | Wyoming tried to make it interesting. They scored via pass and run, with freshman RB Samuel Harris rushing for 126 yards. But Colorado’s defense, including a safety from Arden Walker, made enough stops. Salter sealed it late with a 35-yard rushing touchdown. |
| Stats | Salter finished 18-of-28 passing for 304 yards, 3 passing TDs, and approx. 86 rushing yards + 1 rushing TD. Miller had ~88 receiving yards on 6 catches, including a TD. Wyoming’s QB Kaden Anderson went 11-of-25, 176 yards passing with two TDs. |
Player spotlights
- Kaidon Salter (Colorado): Big night. The transfer delivered both through air and on the ground. His performance could settle the QB debate for at least the short term.
- Omarion Miller (CU): He had 6 catches for 88 yards, including a touchdown. His availability had been in question due to injury earlier. He made the most of this game.
- Sincere Brown (CU): Deep threat reaps reward. 68-yard touchdown reception reminds everyone the Buffs can score in a blink if given space.
- Wyoming’s Samuel Harris & Kaden Anderson: Harris’s ground game stood out; for Anderson, two passing TDs show promise, but inconsistency and turnovers hurt. CU’s defense bent but didn’t break.
Key tactical & coaching observations
- Colorado’s balanced attack. Using both run and pass to keep Wyoming defense guessing. Early strikes through the air (long TDs) established pressure. Then mixing in scramble/runs from Salter. (University of Colorado Athletics)
- Defensive performance in first half. CU limited Wyoming to field goals or stalled drives. Bend-but-don’t-break mentality. But Wyoming’s offense showed more life in second half.
- Turnovers / penalties / special teams: Not huge storylines this time compared to earlier losses; cleaner execution was evident. Some penalties, but manageable. Coaching seemed more in control.
Saturday night done right 🙌#GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/D8jk6BBjqi
— Colorado Buffaloes (@CUBuffs) September 21, 2025
Prediction vs outcome: what was expected & what materialized
- Pre-game predictions broadly had Colorado favored by about 11-12 points. Many experts called for a Colorado win, expecting Wyoming’s offense to struggle. Over/under was predicted around 45.5 points.
- Outcome: Colorado won by 17 (37-20), exceeding many spread expectations. The total points (57) went over expected O/U for many. Wyoming did better than some experts expected, especially with Harris’s rushing and Anderson’s two passing TDs. But ultimately Buffaloes covered and then some.
Broader implications & what’s next
- For Colorado: This win restores morale, gives breathing room in the early season, and helps with momentum heading into conference play. QB stability (with Salter) seems more credible now. Coach Deion Sanders can build on this to tighten up weaker phases, especially second-half defensive lapses.
- For Wyoming: A loss, yes, but not a disaster. Some positives: Harris’s rushing, moments in passing game. But need more consistency, fewer mistakes, and stronger starts. Second half still a problem. Travel, depth could be stressors moving forward.
- In the Big 12 standings / non-conference posture, CU is now 2-2, looking to improve to stay competitive. Wyoming falls to 2-2, similar record though tougher schedule ahead.
Where & how to watch / broadcast info
- Game was held at Folsom Field, Boulder, CO. Kickoff time approx 8:15 p.m. MT. (The Ralphie Report)
- Television: ESPN broadcast; streaming via ESPN App. Radio, local coverage via CU channels and Wyoming’s local media.
[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]
Predictions & betting angles (postgame reflections for bettors and analysts)
- Pre-game spread was around Colorado –11.5. CU did cover; outcome was more decisive than many expected. (FOX Sports)
- Over/under was 45.5; final combined score (57) went over for those who bet the over. Wyoming’s second-half scoring helped.
- Useful prop angles: long TDs (Brown, Miller), rushing yards of Salter, defensive plays like sacks or safety.
Background & storylines entering the game
- Coaching / program narrative: Deion Sanders remains a high-profile coach in a program rebuilding at Colorado. Expectations vs patience remain in tension. Sanders’ visible leadership moves (bringing in guest motivators, focusing on QB competition) are under scrutiny. (AP News)
- QB battle: Salter had started earlier, then was benched; Staub also used. The clarity this game provides helps Colorado enter future games with more confidence. (Reuters)
- Player health: Omarion Miller had been questionable; his involvement in the win was important. (SI)
Fan / media reaction & narrative framing
- Reports following the game highlight that this win might be the turning point for CU’s season. The Buffs’ performance, especially in the first half, is praised.
- Some criticism remains — defensive lapses in the second half, Wyoming’s late scores, and special teams or penalties that could cost tougher Big 12 matchups.
- Deion Sanders’ post-game messaging focuses on consistency, leadership, and execution — oft-repeated themes.
Prediction going forward: how this shapes Wyoming vs Colorado future matchups
- If Colorado maintains Salter as the starter, continuity is likely. Expect CU to leverage more deep passing opportunities with receivers like Miller and big plays from Brown.
- Wyoming must shore up offensive consistency, reduce turnovers, and protect against explosive plays. Special emphasis needed on early game execution; second half comebacks are helpful, but Big 12 competition won’t allow many deficits.
- Games vs tougher opponents (conference games) will test whether this win over Wyoming is a foundation or simply a confidence-boosting game.
Final thoughts — what Wyoming vs Colorado 37-20 tells us
This game felt like a release valve for Colorado — a chance to demonstrate they can deliver when expectations demand it. Kaidon Salter’s performance, the explosive plays from his receivers, and improved defensive discipline in the early and late stages show signs of growth. For Wyoming, while the final score gap looks large, there are building blocks: rushing attack, some passing success, but still too many lapses to compete at the upper levels.
In summary: CU got the kind of game it needed to rebuild belief. Whether they can replicate and improve in tougher tests remains to be seen. But for one Saturday night in Boulder, the Buffaloes looked more like what fans hope they can become.