Three takeaways from Colorado’s big win over Wyoming

The Colorado Buffaloes defeated the Wyoming Cowboys 37-20 on Saturday night - here's three takeaways from the win as the Buffs head into conference play

BY TRENT FINNEGAN

Sep 21, 2025, 1:39 AM Updated: 1:40 am

Follow on Google News

(Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)

BOULDER, Colo. — The Colorado Buffaloes found their groove on Saturday night in a 37-20 win over the Wyoming Cowboys. Kaidon Salter put the quarterback debate to rest, the defense was flying around and punter Damon Greaves quietly put on another clinic as the black and gold were firing on all cylinders throughout the night.

While the win was impressive for a team that has lacked consistency throughout the first quarter of the season, they did what they were supposed to. Coach Prime’s squad entered the game as 12.5 point favorites and were clearly the better team in every aspect of the game on paper. All they had to do was translate it to the field, which they did seamlessly.

Here are three big takeaways from the win as Colorado now turns the calendar to conference play for the rest of the season.

SALTER’S LEGS ARE VITAL

When the Buffs brought Kaidon Salter to town via the transfer portal last offseason, they knew they were getting a bonafide dual-threat signal caller, something they didn’t have with Shedeur Sanders leading the way the past two seasons. Through his first two games, he didn’t quite use his athleticism on the ground to its full potential, and had Buffs fans wondering if he had another gear to reach.

On Saturday, he hit that next gear. On top of his 304 yards and three touchdowns through the air, the 22-year-old added another 86 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He extended plays in the backfield with his scrambling ability, he broke a few tackles from various Cowboys defenders, and showed off the true speed he possesses on a 35-yard scamper to the promised land to put the dagger in the opponent.

Dagger! Kaidon Salter 35 yard TD run!

Salter tonight: 18-28, 304 yds, 3 TDs / 86 rush yds, 1 rush TD

Looked like Liberty Kaidon Salter tonight🔥 #Buffs pic.twitter.com/XrP0x1Rmvo

— Im not a fan of your favorite team (@fsh733) September 21, 2025

With a grueling conference schedule on the horizon, the Buffs’ offense will need Salter to utilize his dual-threat ability every time he gets the chance. Having that extra element of an offense makes life more difficult for opposing defenses, and could be a key factor to the Buffs coming away with a few more victories in conference play.

DEFENSE CAN’T LET THE FOOT OFF THE GAS

“I’m not happy with the finish. I’m happy with the results, but I’m not happy with the finish,” Coach Prime said after the win.

The Buffs held a 25-point lead at one point in time in the second half, but a few lapses in focus allowed Wyoming to draw the score within 10. While it ultimately didn’t matter, as the less-talented Wyoming offense just didn’t have enough juice to keep up with Colorado’s offense, it will matter when the BYU Cougars come to town next week.

Seven of Wyoming’s 10 big plays (runs of at least 10 yards, passes of at least 15) came in the second half. Cornerback Makari Vickers bit on a double move and was burned for a touchdown for the second consecutive week, which is a note that Big 12 teams will certainly make when watching film on the Buffs. It seems that Vickers has locked up the CB2 spot opposite of D.J. McKinney, but still has some things to work out with a third of the season said and done.

Kaden Anderson ➡️ Eric Richardson for the 41 yard TD! #Wyoming pic.twitter.com/0UFwIsOElc

— Im not a fan of your favorite team (@fsh733) September 21, 2025

The defense was dominant early on, which is why the Buffs were able to jump out to a lead in the second quarter. If they don’t play for a full four quarters against the toughest Big 12 competition, it will be tough to win.

OFFENSE NEEDS TO KEEP ATTACKING DOWNFIELD

Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur called a very solid game Saturday. There were fewer bubble screens and more deep shots to his best receivers along with a healthy dose of quarterback run. He seemingly opened the playbook for Salter in his third start in the black and gold, and those actions payed dividends.

Salter found Joseph Williams deep for a touchdown, he found Omarion Miller deep for a touchdown, and he completed a handful of other passes that were past the sticks. He also had Sincere Brown open on a go ball up the right sideline in the second half, but just missed him. Nonetheless, it showed that this offense has the tools to attack downfield and have success.

BUFFS! Kaidon Salter ➡️ Omarion Miller for the 29 yard TD! pic.twitter.com/LC29JxP39B

— Im not a fan of your favorite team (@fsh733) September 21, 2025

The offense was way too predictable to start the season, and Houston and Georgia Tech jumped on it and had the Buffs bottled up. Wyoming couldn’t do the same and stifle the shorter attacks because the Buffs established the deep threat early and kept pressing the issue throughout the game.

Even better, the wealth was spread around the room. Even though Miller was the one who led the receiving room on the stat sheet, a wide variety of guys saw opportunities down the field. This style of offense has to stay around if the Buffs want to compete in conference play.

ONE MORE — RALPHIE ALWAYS NEEDS TO BE OUT THERE

Folsom Field erupted for Ralphie VII’s inaugural run, and it provided a spark out the gate that the Buffs needed. Was their slow start to the season a result of not having their live mascot around to support them? Coach Prime didn’t think so, but anyone in the stadium on Saturday saw that her presence was necessary. Traditions are cool in college football, especially this one. There should never be another game played at Folsom field in which is a great, big buffalo isn’t leading the team out onto the field.

This win was a good step in the right direction for the Buffs after they were embarrassed by Houston on national television a week ago. Now, the real test begins, as BYU comes to town for an Alamo Bowl rematch next week. That game kicks from Folsom at 8:15 p.m. MDT, so get ready for another late night, Buffs fans.