Kaidon Salter Throws 2 TD Passes, Colorado’s Defense Shines in 24–17 Win Over No. 22 Iowa State

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

BOULDER, Colo. — Kaidon Salter tossed two touchdown passes, and Colorado’s defense delivered in the fourth quarter with a crucial interception and a fourth-down stop to help the Buffaloes upset No. 22 Iowa State 24–17 on Saturday. Salter threw for 255 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown strike to Omarion Miller, as the Buffaloes (3–4, 1–3 Big 12) snapped a two-game skid. After taking a knee to seal the win, Salter threw the ball high into the air as students stormed the field despite public address warnings. “I love it,” Colorado coach Deion Sanders said about the fans rushing the field. “I want to see the kids rush the field.”

When informed the celebration would result in a fine, Sanders joked, “Who made that rule? Come on, man. That ain’t right.” The win marked Colorado’s second victory over a ranked opponent since Sanders took over the program. The Buffaloes previously beat No. 17 TCU on the road in 2023 to begin the Sanders era. “The locker room had a different vibe today,” said Sanders, who returned to the sideline after undergoing surgery related to blood clots earlier in the week. “We’re better than what our record says. We shouldn’t be sitting up here with a plethora of losses. We should be sitting up here with a steering wheel and in the driver’s seat.” The game’s momentum shifted early in the fourth quarter when the Cyclones (5–2, 2–2) faced third-and-goal at the 7-yard line. Quarterback Rocco Becht was intercepted by Tawfiq Byard — who was playing with a cast on his left hand — but a flag for possible pass interference was waved off after the officials huddled.

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell was furious on the sideline and continued voicing his frustration after the Cyclones forced a punt.

After the game, Campbell offered a calmer explanation: “It sounded like they thought that the ball ... it had no impact, that the (defensive pass interference) didn’t happen until after the ball was thrown, which is not true,” he said. Soon after, Iowa State failed to convert a fourth-and-1 at its own 18-yard line. The stop set up a 29-yard field goal by Alejandro Mata that extended Colorado’s lead to 24–17. Salter’s short touchdown pass to Joseph Williams in the third quarter gave Colorado the lead for good. Salter later connected with Williams for a 38-yard gain in the closing minutes to seal the win. Williams finished with eight receptions for 128 yards. “We have a team full of dawgs that just don’t quit,” said Salter, who bounced back after throwing three interceptions the previous week. “We don’t give up.”

For the Cyclones, Abu Sama III rushed for 177 yards and two touchdowns. Becht completed 18 of 33 passes for 205 yards. “I’ve got to be better for my team,” Becht said.

Linebacker Jeremiah Brown credited Sanders’ resilience for inspiring the team: “He’s giving us all the energy we needed,” said Brown, who recorded a team-high ten tackles.

The Takeaway

Iowa State: The Cyclones committed seven penalties against Colorado, after eight the previous week in a loss to Cincinnati. It’s an uncharacteristic trend for a team that has ranked among the least penalized in college football over the past two seasons. “We’ve got to go back to the fundamentals of what we do,” Campbell said. Colorado: The Buffaloes overcame adversity despite having 17 players ruled out for the game. They were outgained 441–395 and allowed 236 rushing yards, but clutch defense and Salter’s efficient passing carried them to victory.

Up Next

Iowa State hosts No. 18 BYU on Oct. 25.Colorado travels to Utah on Oct. 25.