Kaidon Salter passed for 255 yards and two touchdowns, while the Buff defense posted a fourth interception and a fourth-down stop to make CU’s lead hold up in a 24-17 win over No. 22 Iowa State. In CU’s first win over a ranked team since the 2023 opener in Coach Prime’s debut, the Buff defense gave up 441 yards of total offense, including 236 yards rushing, but held Iowa State scoreless in the fourth quarter, enabling the Buffs to snap a two-game losing streak.

“I hate to say it’s one win that could turn it around,” Coach Prime said of CU’s 3-4 record. “We should have been winning, man, and we’re still upset with that. The locker room has a different vibe today, and it’s a different challenge given at the conclusion of the matter, but we’re better than what our record says.”

Joseph Williams led the Buffs with 128 yards receiving on eight catches, including a 38-yarder on third-and-16 in the final minutes to preserve the win. Omarion Miller contributed 82 yards on three catches, including a 70-yard touchdown reception in the first minute of the third quarter.

“It means a lot. We won,” Coach Prime said. “It’s a difference. Different feel, different move. Lately I want to go grab something to eat. Usually, I don’t want to be seen after a loss. I might actually go do it. You don’t want to go nowhere where you get your butt kicked. ‘Hey, did you just lose?’, like you don’t want that. You don’t want that. So imagine you go somewhere and eat right now, because we won, and I get to hear the other side of it. ‘Hey, good game Coach Prime.’”

I have developed a reputation over the years – no doubt well-deserved – of being stressed out on Game Day. For years, I have been an ideal tailgate guest … because I am rarely able to eat before a game. I can talk football, but I fidget, impatiently waiting for the game to start so I can get past the stress of waiting. The idea of eating anything, much less imbibing on adult beverages, is usually a non-starter.

Even on Fridays before the game, as I prepare to fly from Bozeman to Denver for games, I tend to be more quiet and reserved. My attitude is noticeable enough that my lovely wife Lee will often say, as I leave for for the airport, “Remember, it’s supposed to be fun”.

Game Day! … Iowa State Scouting Report … Coach Prime: Buffs are “close, not far away” … *Video: The Story of Ralphie VII* … CU Injury Report: fewer defensive linemen out; running back in flux with three backs out …

Will CU’s “Black Out” also be a “Sell Out”? … Iowa State seeking first conference title since 1912 … Last ISU game: Brian Cabral goes 1-0 as CU’s interim coach in 2010 … Continuity aiding advancement of CU’s offensive line …

Stanford football receives $50 million gift from a former player … Single Transfer Portal window (January 2nd-16th) officially adopted … Big 12 Lines: CU opens as a 4.5-point underdog to Iowa State … Associated Press poll: Texas Tech enters Top Ten …

Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht is 20th in the nation in passing (but he has also been sacked 12 times) … Cyclone defense is vulnerable, with two starting CB’s out … Beware the “middle eight” … What if CU goes up 14-0 (again)? …