To start the game, Salter went for a couple of series, running one in for a touchdown. His body language looked more active this week, sharper and more aggressive. A week earlier he reported playing with a fever, and being in attendance it was clear he was not himself. For a quarterback with his profile and reputation coming into a new city, the expectation was higher energy in his debut. Against this backdrop, his body language shift mattered, but only as the setup for what came next. The game itself changed when Ryan Staub, the only Colorado Buffalo quarterback on the roster when last season ended, entered the huddle. He has sat patiently behind Shador Sanders, practicing every day without complaint or spotlight. His opportunity came suddenly, and he seized it with command. Staub went 7 of 10 for 157 yards and two touchdowns, leading a swing that reshaped the afternoon. The first big moment came right before halftime. With the Buffs running a two minute drill, Staub kept his composure, found Taylor on a 21 yard checkdown, and gave Colorado a 17 to 7 lead at the break. It was steady quarterbacking, efficient and calm, and it showed teammates and fans he was ready for the stage. Then came the play that lit up the stadium. On the first drive of the third quarter, Staub audibled after reading coverage and sent Sincere Brown on a deep go route. The 6 foot 5 transfer showed off his speed and ability, separating downfield. Staub hit him in stride for a 71 yard touchdown that gave the home crowd its first real burst of the day. Brown finished with four receptions for 120 yards, his performance sealing his impact on the game. Colorado controlled the rest of the afternoon, closing with a 31 to 7 victory. Juju got a series late, but the story was already written. Ryan Staub had changed the tone of the game. In real time, the fan base seemed uncertain about what they were watching, as though they had not expected the quarterback picture to shift. By the end of the game, the result gave clarity. Confusion turned into excitement. The mood swung from concern to celebration. Following Tuesday’s media session, the news broke nationally. Ryan Staub will start Friday night against Houston. ESPN has him slotted in at 5:30 p.m. kickoff, a prime time window for a young quarterback stepping into the biggest moment of his career so far. What stands out is not just the stats or the scores but the perseverance. This is a player who easily could have been discouraged. A high profile transfer arrived early. Another well regarded quarterback came in as well. The noise around the program was constant, the speculation nonstop. Staub could have checked out, coasted, or looked for the exit. Instead, he showed up prepared. From day one of practice, he kept himself ready for the call. When it came, he responded. As a former athlete, it is easy to respect that mindset. The challenge is not just physical talent, but mental discipline. To practice for months with no guarantee of playing time and still remain locked in takes character. For Staub, it paid off. He looked unflappable. Coach Deion Sanders confirmed as much postgame, saying he believed in the kid and trusted his readiness. That readiness is the headline. This is not about Salter’s body language or the uncertainty in the moment, though those details add texture. The real story is that Ryan Staub embodied what every athlete gets told but few actually live out. Stay prepared, because you never know when your moment will come. He lived it, and he delivered. Now the stage grows larger. Colorado heads to Houston, and Staub will walk onto the field not as a backup surprise, but as the named starter. The crowd will be louder, the stakes higher, and the spotlight brighter. After what he showed in Boulder, the program, the fan base, and the country now know what he brings. Friday night at 5:30, all eyes will be on Ryan Staub. Source Log (external to article) CU Buffs official box score and postgame report ESPN game summary and player stats Colorado Athletics Tuesday media session transcript Coach Deion Sanders postgame press quotes