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August 29th – Boulder Georgia Tech 27, Colorado 20
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Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King faked a pitch and scampered for a 45-yard touchdown with 1:07 remaining as Georgia Tech overcame a turnover-filled start to beat Colorado, 27-20. King finished with 156 yards rushing and three touchdowns, also throwing for 143 yards. Georgia Tech finished with 463 yards of total offense, 320 on the ground. The CU offense opened the season with just 305 yards of total offense – 159 through the air; 143 on the ground.
Coach Prime was disappointed in watching CU’s defense give up 320 yards rushing. “We’ve got to be more explosive, more definitive, more decisive with what we’re doing with the ball on offense”, said Coach Prime, who saw his overall record at CU dip to 13-13. “They ran for 320 yards. You’re not gonna win with those statistics. Tried many things. We tried blitzing, trying to fill every gap, but we couldn’t get the job done. They were much more physical than we were.”
Liberty transfer quarterback Kaidon Salter, making his first start as a Buff, completed 17-of-28 passes for 159 yards, including an eight-yard touchdown pass to running back Dekalon Taylor in the first quarter. Salter also contributed 43 yards on 11-carries, including a seven-yard touchdown run. The Colorado rushing attack, which netted 146 yards on the night, was led by Micah Welch, who had 64 yards on 11 carries.
A sell-out crowd of 52,868 was on hand for the Friday night opener, with the Buffs falling to Georgia Tech in the first-ever meeting between the two teams.
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Game Story … The 2025 season couldn’t have opened much better for the Buffs than what transpired in the first three minutes. On the second play from scrimmage, Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King fumbled the exchange with his running back, with Buff linebacker Martavius French recovering the ball at the Yellow Jacket 36-yard line.
Five plays later, the Buffs, who opened the previous season falling behind in each of their first four games, took the lead. Three runs by running back Micah Welch totaled 24 yards, with quarterback Kaidon Salter finding running back Dekalon Taylor for an eight-yard touchdown with 12:08 remaining in the first quarter.
Four plays later, the CU offense was back on the field. A bad snap was never controlled by Haynes King, with Martavius French recovering his second fumble in as many series. Taking over at their 48-yard line, the CU offense went three-and-out … in 27 seconds. Three incomplete passes resulted in CU’s first punt of the game.
The Yellow Jackets quickly moved back into CU territory on their next possession, but gave up the ball yet again. A harried Haynes King was intercepted by Buff cornerback D.J. McKinney, giving CU offense the ball back its 34-yard line.
Once again, however, the Buff offense was not able to capitalize, going three-and-out once again.
A 53-yard punt by Damon Greaves pinned the Yellow Jackets back at their two-yard line, but a pass interference penalty on the first play from scrimmage gave Georgia Tech’s offense some breathing room. The Yellow Jackets then set off on 13-play, 84-yard drive which took all of the remaining first quarter clock, spilling into the second. An untimely holding penalty in the red zone finally put an end to the drive, with Georgia Tech settling for a 32-yard Aidan Birr field goal. Colorado 7, Georgia Tech 3, with 13:31 remaining in the first half.
A facemask penalty on a good Micah Welch gave the CU offense its first first down since the opening drive, but the Buffs went no further, punting the ball away on a fourth-and-six at their 48-yard line.
Georgia Tech looked to take command of the game on its next drive. The Yellow Jackets set off on a 10-play, 80-yard drive to take their first lead of the game. The Buff defense appeared to post their first stop of the night, with an incompletion on a third-and-12 … but the Buffs were called for defensive holding, giving Georgia Tech a first down. The Yellow Jackets then chewed up over six minutes of game clock, with Haynes King scoring on a four-yard run with 4:33 remaining in the half. Georgia Tech 10, Colorado 7.
The previously dormant Buff offense finally put together a drive, with an 11-yard run by Kaidon Salter followed by a 39-yard completion from Salter to Omarion Miller. The next three plays, though, netted zero yards, with Buff kicker Alejandro Mata connecting on a 42-yard field goal to tie the score with 1:39 remaining.
The Buff defense wasn’t able to preserve the tie, though, as the Yellow Jackets were able to go 49 yards in nine plays, with a 25-yard run by Haynes King setting up 43-yard Aidan Burr field goal as time expired.
Halftime score: Georgia Tech 13, Colorado 10
A 22-yard run by Micah Welch opened the CU second half with hope, but the next three plays netting only eight yards. Facing a fourth-and-two at the Georgia Tech 45-yard line, Coach Prime decided to play for field position, punting the ball away.
Six plays later, the CU defense forced its first punt of the night, with the Buff offense taking the field, after an 11-yard punt return by Dekalon Taylor, at midfield.
A 21-yard completion from Salter to Taylor put the Buffs in scoring position, with two runs by Micah Welch netting another 11-yards and a first down at the Georgia Tech 18. An 11-yard run by Kaidon Salter, coupled with a late hit on the tackle, gave CU a first-and-goal at the Georgia Tech four-yard line. Instead of going in for a lead-changing score, the Buffs went backwards, losing six yards. A 29-yard field goal by Alejandro Matta tied the score at 13-13 with 6:00 left in the third, but an opportunity had been missed.
Georgia Tech’s next possession resulted in their third long touchdown drive of the game. The Yellow Jackets covered 75 yards in 11 plays, with a 17-yard touchdown run by Haynes King giving Georgia Tech a 20-13 lead in the final minute of the quarter.
The Buff offense, which had sputtered most of the evening, responded with a long touchdown drive of its own. A 16-yard completion from Salter to Dre’lon Miller opened the drive, with a nine-yard completion to Hykeem Williams two plays later netting another first down. A seven-yard run by Quentin Gibson and a nine-yard completion to Dekalon Taylor netting another first down. Later, after a converting on a fourth-and-inches at the Georgia Tech 23-yard line, Kaidon Salter finished off the 15-play, 75-yard drive with a seven-yard touchdown run.
Georgia Tech 20, Colorado 20, with 8:25 to play.
After a 27-yard completion from Haynes King to running back Jamal Haynes quickly put the Yellow Jackets near midfield, the CU defense stiffened. Aided by two false starts inspired by the sold-out Folsom Field crowd of 52,868, Georgia Tech had to punt.
The Buffs took over at their 11-yard line, 89-yards and five minutes from a win. An eight-yard completion from Salter to Welch, followed by a ten-yard completion to Joseph Williams, got the drive off to a good start. After that, though, the CU offense stalled, punting the ball back to Georgia Tech with 2:43 to play.
The Yellow Jackets appeared poised to work their way down the field for a game-winning field goal, but quarterback Haynes King, who would rush for 156 yards on the night, scored on a 45-yard run to make it a 27-20 game.
The Buffs still had 1:07 of clock and two time outs remaining, but could advance no further than midfield, with a Kaidon Salter Hail Mary falling harmlessly to the newly installed Folsom Field turf as time expired.
Final score: Georgia Tech 27, Colorado 20
“I’m optimistic on everything,” said Coach Prime after suffering his first-ever opening game loss as a collegiate football coach. “We’re definitely gonna be fine. I’m not concerned about that. And we could have won that game. It’s not like we got our butts kicked, like we could have won that game. They ran the heck out of the ball. They did that. But we had opportunities. I’m pretty sure you guys are harping on the opportunities that we didn’t take advantage of. So if we take advantage of those opportunities, I have a whole different mood up here right now. So we got to get that fixed, and we will get that fixed.”
“There is always room to improve throughout the game”, said Kaidon Salter, who became the ninth quarterback in CU history to throw for a touchdown and run for a touchdown in his debut as a Buff signal caller. “Really my first big time game out here at Folsom Field but felt like I went out there and I tried to do the best that I can do. I went out there and I executed the plays that coach wanted me to execute. But it was still, it’s still room for improvement out there with just the way the offense connects and runs things on game days.”
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Game Notes …
— For the third straight season, a true freshman had the first touch of the season for Colorado. In 2023, Dylan Edwards caught a pass from Shedeur Sanders on the Buffs’ first offensive snap. In 2024, Dre’lon Miller did so. Against Georgia Tech, freshman wide receiver Quinton Gibson caught a four-yard pass from Kaidon Salter. Gibson became just the fourth true freshman wide receiver to start a season opener in CU history;
— The Buffs forced turnovers on the first three Georgia Tech drives, fumbles on the first two, both recovered by Martavius French, and an interception for DJ McKinney. It’s the first time the Buffs have forced three straight turnovers in a season opener in CU history, and believed to be the first time in any game. It’s the first time CU forced a turnover on the opening drive since the Texas Tech game in 2003;
— The Buffs first score of the season came with 12:08 left in the first quarter on a Kaidon Salter pass to DeKalon Taylor. It was the Buffs fastest first score of the season since 2018. More impressive due to the fact the Buffs kicked off to start the game;
— DJ McKinney’s interception gives him a streak of three straight games dating back to last season and in four of the last five games with a pick. The three straight games matches the CU record set by both Cullen Bryant in 1972 and Clyde Riggins in 1981;
— Linebacker Martavius French had quite the start to his Buffs career, falling on two fumbles on the first two defensive possessions of the game. He matched the CU record with two fumble recoveries in the same game, a feat that hasn’t happened since 2019 when N.J. Falo Jr., did so against Nebraska. He also had 1.5 tackles for loss after finishing in the top 10 in that category last season nationally;
— Linebacker Reggie Hughes also had a solid CU debut, leading the defense with 11 tackles. It was the second highest total of his career (13 vs. Eastern Michigan in 2024 for Jacksonville State), and his second career game with 10-plus tackles.
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30 Replies to “Georgia Tech 27, CU 20”
Really wanted the Buffs to win this one but wasn’t surprised they lost. As soon as I heard about Haynes King I began suffering from KTPTSD (Khalil Tate Post Traumatic Syndrome Disorder). That 45 yard run to seal the game put me back on medication . . .
Make that “Stress Disorder.” Apparently, my brain is giving up as many yards as the Buffs . . .
Coach Prime only has this season to show he can build a program and keep it at an elite level. A see saw program won’t bring in 5 star talent.
Only NIL money will bring in elite talent in numbers significant to make a difference.
Well, there is that, but the volume of four star, let alone five star recruits coming to Boulder over the last 25 years is truly staggering, right? I mean, if only we had better coaching we would have stacked up the championships. Oh wait. That is not how it works.
Recruiting will be fine. Deion will continue increasing the talent level, incrementally.
Come on people.
Go Buffs
The goal
Get Miss Peggy to a bowl and win
6 and 6 may get them to a bowl they can win!
Buff Up
Note: Bring on that Fab Frosh QB
you are still around. I thought they may have buried you next to a sand trap somewhere on the 18th hole.
Yep I am rancher man, yep i am.
Just playing the retiree.
Doing ok You?
And there are two sand traps on 18. Been in em both too many times
go ep
doin alright. retired as well….well kinda…….doing favors for individual clients now and then. Trying to get out and about in the San Juans while the weather is here but no way this weekend
September
2 and 3
Bet?
The morning after.
Shameful
Don’t wait until “bartime”!!
Embarrassing!!
Up the Buff
Note: Schumer?? Not sure I have the patience 3rd straight year. No change! Sheesh
I’m sure and I don’t. Absolutely terrible. No excuse to be passing when all we needed was a FG to win and giving the ball back to GT likely meant them running it down for a FG or TD. $h!tmur has to go. Where is Letwich.
Biggest unknown heading into the season was QB play…and it was subpar last night. Outside of making guys miss in the pocket, thinking Staub would have done about the same. Had no interest in seeing JuJu this season, until last night.
And convinced we still win the game if we had our LBs from last year. LBs didn’t meet a runner in the hole the entire game and were getting caught in the wash (unblocked) consistently = complete non-factor in the run game.
Finally, had my say re. Pat last season (winning papers over problems:)
Georgia Tech and Colorado will combine for at least 18 wins this season, maybe 19 or 20. Indeed, two good teams played on Folsom Field last evening. With Georgia Tech being led by an experienced/capable/tough quarterback, it was inevitable that they would “right the ship” after the early turnovers. “Righting the ship” from a 7-0 deficit is much, much easier than “making a game of it” from a 14-0 or 17-0 or 21-0 deficit.
The early 7-0 lead (rather than 14-0 or more) after being the beneficiary of THREE turnovers was bound to eventually hurt C.U.
There were many “coulda, woulda, shoulda” moments. The first “three and out,” while up 7-0 comes to mind. Salter could have run for a first, rather than “let it fly.” He went for the “knockout,” rather than the percentage play, and it proved to be costly. Had that long pass connected, the stadium would have been “rocking, ” and a repeat of 2001 vs. Nebraska was a distinct possibility..
Hopefully, Salter, the offensive coordinator, and the entire team will learn from the game. The film will be quite revealing.
In the end, this was a repeat of 2008 vs. Nebraska (a 33-31 loss, after an early 14-0 lead with no “knockout”), rather than 2001 vs. Nebraska (an early lead that kept building on itself, and resulted in a 62-36 win).
C.U. will likely win the next four games in advance of three serious “tests.” A great season is still on the horizon,…
Coach Prime needs to take responsibility for leaving 2 timeouts on the board at the end of the game. While I doubt it would have made a difference anytime the clock is running under a minute and you have a time out…..use it. Very simple.
Agreed, they easily could have gotten three more plays in
It really is an indictment.
I am wondering if Shurmur was calling the plays in the 4th quarter. The Buffs did try to open it up a wee bit but the execution was poor….like they had not practiced those plays much. Which brings me to practice. If Shurmur cant even organize his own competent run game how can he create a scout team game even close to an opponent? Would it be the coordinators that do that?
I gave Shurmur the benefit of doubt, but this game has solidified all the fears of his play calling. It is piss poor, which has been called out by Bronco fans. If he cannot out-scheme a college team and call a better game – he need to be let go.
Wyoming and Delaware are feeling pretty good about now. Yep its the same ol Shurmur frozen in slug time. The altitude factor doesn’t exist any more either due to obscenely long commercial breaks giving everyone a great rest between every series.
C’mon. Wyoming scored 10 points against an Akron team which has won eight games in the past three seasons, and Delaware was a 30-point favorite over Delaware State, and was ahead, 7-3, with a minute left in the first quarter.
nothing happened to intimidate any further
Kaidon missed some throws that were obviously his fault but yelled at the receivers. Color me unimpressed.
What I saw was a Buff team that played a really solid team. They did not capitalize on the turnovers but rhe pass rush and offensive line blocking were really good compared to most teams CU has fielded in the paat 20 years. If salter settles down, I think these guys are going to win some games. I am really dissapointed that GT beat Colorado but I dont feel like its the end if the season. I actually felt better about that loss than the 2001 season opener to Fresno State. I remember thinking it was gonna be a repeat of 2000 and then they went on to post up one of the greatest seasons in 25 years. Colorado is going to win some games and they are going to win them on the ground.
Shurmer gives me hear murmurs.
Why does it seem that offensive coordinators cannot function in Boulder? Screenshots and wheel routes are fine… when they complement downfield passing. When it’s 90% of your passing offense it doesn’t achieve much. If we had a good OC we’d be a playoff team. As it is… mediocre at best. Prime must see this.
Kaidon. Disappointing. Especially throwing on the run. Schumers play calling is beyond bad. He needs to be gone next season. Offensive line improved. Tough one to lose. We coulda won. GoBuffs. Lot of work to do… but the seasons still in front of us. Oh and btw… how about some tackling drills next week? Horrid…
Shurmur needs to be gone, now. That was atrocious OC playcalling. And zero halftime adjustments. Pat is washed. We supposedly have an elite WR room. Ignored them all night. Throwing the ball down the field, or even short/medium routes was damn near nonexistent. Predictable playcalling all night. Yes. GT played well, but the offense was inept and outdated. Deion needs to let his friend go. Give the keys to Leftwich at this point.
That being said, Tech is a top 25 team in my opinion. Buffs played poorly and still were in the game… Definitely some positives
Also, we abandoned the inside running attack. Running slow developing plays outside of the tackles was stupid. Welch was a wrecking ball in-between the tackles.
Tough loss. But CU will be in every game.
Should we be more concerned with the Defense, or the Offense?
Offense. Haynes King is a 6th yr senior and a baller. GT is a great team, too, and CU stayed in it, even with a poor performance all around.
Livingston at DC is a stud. Its just one game. Defense will improve. Poor run defense, yes. But its the 1st game of the year. The sky isn’t falling.
I’m staying positive. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Let juju throw the ball around against Delaware. He has pocket presence that Salter clearly doesn’t have.
Sko Buffs. Just one loss against a good team.
I agree with Buffalo Joe. Disappointing that we lost, but I am optimistic about the remainder of this season. Lots of work to do, but we will be in every game we play. A couple of poor throws by Salter (who missed wide open receivers), or the outcome could have been different. Go Buffs.