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Colorado football report card after Georgia Tech Week 1 loss


The Colorado Buffaloes played their home opener this Friday under the lights of Folsom Field against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The Buffaloes gave up a backbreaking Haynes King 45-yard rushing touchdown with under 1:10 left in the game. Colorado then had some questionable clock management in the last minute, and Salter chucked up a Hail Mary prayer that fell to no one, confirming a Buffs loss 27-20.

A disappointing start to the 2025 season, when the Buffs started the game with some juice during the opening quarter, which included the defense generating three turnovers.

Here is the report card from the Buffs’ Week 1 game:

Quarterback

Grade: C

Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter was a mixed bag in this affair. He completed 17 passes on 28 attempts for 159 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed 13 times for 43 yards and a score on the ground. Salter was a bit slow to get the ball out at times and missed some easy throws to wide-open wideouts and running backs.

It was his first game for the Buffs, so some growing pains in the Pat Shurmur offense were expected, but going from Shedeur Sanders to Salter will take some time to get used to. The potential is there with Salter due to his dual-threat rushing abilities, but it was a frustrating game nonetheless. 

Running Backs

Grade: B+

Micah Welch rushed 11 times for 64 yards, QB Kaidon Salter had 13 carries for 43 yards and a touchdown and Simeon Price rushed 5 times for 30 yards. As a unit, this was an impressive night for the Colorado rushing unit compared to years past. There were times when no holes were open, yet Shurmur kept calling rushing plays when nothing was there.

It appears that running the ball will be a significant part of the 2025 Buffs’ identity, which is promising, and this is a game they can build upon moving forward. 

Receivers and Tight Ends

Grade: C-

A disappointing night for the pass catchers for sure. Top Buffs’ receiver Omarion Miller had just one catch for 39 yards, and running back Dekalon Taylor was next and had three catches for 38 yards. The Buffaloes’ ten pass catchers tonight combined for only 159 yards, less than ideal for what, on paper, is a very talented group.

This grade doesn’t reflect all of the pass catchers, as there weren’t many individual mistakes. It is more of a referendum on Salter and Shurmur, who didn’t utilize the passing game as much as many fans thought they would. The Buffs moving forward should look to utilize Omarion Miller, their ultra-athletic wide receiver room and a competent tight end group.

Defense

Grade: C-

Another unit that had an up-and-down night. In the first quarter alone, they (Martavius French specifically) recovered two fumbles, and DJ McKinney picked off Haynes King—a positive start for the entire defense.

At first, Colorado did a decent job of containing the Yellow Jackets’ rushing attack, but eventually King and company broke through. On the ground alone, Georgia Tech had 320 total yards, on top of King’s 143 yards through the air. Giving up over 300 rushing yards cannot happen in any game. Colorado and head coach Deion Sanders knew that the ground attack was the identity of this Georgia Tech offense, and still let it beat them. Reginald Hughes finished with 11 total tackles, Martavius French had six total tackles with 1.5 tackles for a loss and DJ McKinney had the lone interception. 

Special Teams

Grade: A

One of the few bright spots for the Buffs team on Friday night. Junior punter Damon Greaves was sensational for Colorado in this affair, with five punts averaging 45 yards with three punts inside the 20, two of which were pinned within the five-yard line.

Kicker Alejandro Mata went 2/2 on field goals, drilling a 42-yarder. Kickoff specialist Buck Buchanan did precisely what he was brought in to do, and that was to kick the ball out of the back of the end zone. None of his kickoffs were returnable, an offseason key from Deion Sanders.

This was the best group for the Buffs on Friday, and they hope to be just as impactful throughout the rest of the year. 

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