Staub Shines as Colorado Rolls Past Delaware 31-7 in Quarterback Shuffle

Dante Williams | Ejsports

In a game filled with experimentation, rotation, and opportunity, Ryan Staub made sure his number wasn’t just called — it was remembered. The third-string quarterback — who has spent the past two seasons quietly backing up Shedeur Sanders — emerged as the unlikely star in Colorado’s 31-7 rout of Delaware on Saturday at Folsom Field. Staub tossed two touchdown passes, orchestrated four scoring drives, and earned the admiration of fans and coaches alike in a commanding rebound win for the Buffaloes (1-1).

Head coach Deion Sanders, never one to shy away from bold decisions, implemented a unique quarterback rotation just two days before kickoff. Each quarterback — Kaidon Salter, highly-touted freshman Julian Lewis, and Staub — was given two early series to show what they could do. The results spoke volumes. “Staub don’t trip,” Sanders said postgame. “He’s just unflappable, man.” After trailing 10-7 late in the first half, Colorado found a spark when Staub took the field with just 45 seconds remaining. He promptly led a quick scoring drive, capping it with a 21-yard strike to DeKalon Taylor with nine seconds left before halftime. The momentum carried into the second half when Staub connected with Sincere Brown for a 71-yard touchdown on the opening drive, effectively sealing the win.

Staub finished 7-of-10 for 157 yards and two touchdowns.

“There’s been a lot of days of work and self-doubt,” Staub said. “To be rewarded like this — it doesn’t feel real.”

Salter, the game’s starter, was efficient in his own right, going 13-of-16 for 102 yards and adding a 9-yard touchdown run. But after leading a pair of early scoring drives, he sat for nearly two hours before returning late in the game. Lewis, the 17-year-old five-star recruit, showed poise but couldn’t find the end zone in his three series, completing 2-of-4 passes for 8 yards. “I give those guys credit,” offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said. “To be in the flow and stay in the flow with a three-quarterback rotation is not easy.”

Colorado’s offense racked up 398 total yards, while the defense forced two turnovers, stopped Delaware twice on downs, and blocked a punt in a dominant performance.

Delaware (1-1), making its first FBS road trip since joining Conference USA, briefly closed the gap to 10-7 behind a 312-yard effort from quarterback Nick Minicucci. But the Blue Hens couldn’t keep up once Staub found his rhythm.

“Obviously, the momentum changed when he came in the game,” Delaware head coach Ryan Carty said. “So all the power to him, it was a great job.”

Nine different Buffaloes caught a pass, with Brown leading the way with 120 receiving yards on four catches. It was a promising sign for a Colorado team looking to reestablish its identity in the post-Shedeur Sanders era. As for the quarterback picture moving forward? Don’t expect Coach Prime to tip his hand. “I’m not lost for direction,” Sanders said. “We know what we’re doing.”

The Takeaway

Colorado: The Buffaloes got what they needed — a bounce-back win and valuable reps for all three quarterbacks. Staub’s poise and command of the offense may give him the edge heading into conference play. Delaware: Despite the loss, the Blue Hens continue to show promise in their first FBS season. Minicucci has the arm talent, but the team must regroup quickly before next weekend.