Third-string QB Ryan Staub seizes chance, lifts Colorado to win

Colorado’s quarterback situation went in an unexpected direction Saturday with coach Deion Sanders turning to third-string QB Ryan Staub to power the Buffaloes’ 31-7 win over Delaware.

Staub, a redshirt sophomore, stepped in after Kaidon Salter and Julian Lewis played against the Blue Hens, and he made the most of his opportunity. He completed seven of 10 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns, making his case to be the Buffaloes’ starter moving forward.

Sanders said he prayed about his quarterback room after a 27-20 loss to Georgia Tech in the season opener and decided the best move was giving two series each to Salter, Lewis and Staub and letting their performances “tell its own story” and dictate who deserved to play.

But after Staub threw touchdown passes on each of his two drives, he stayed in for two more and helped turn a 10-7 game into a 31-7 rout. Afterward, Sanders presented Staub with a game ball.

“He’s just been waiting for his opportunity,” Sanders said. “Never jumped in the portal, he had every right to think that way. But he’s just been a great human being and a great young man, like a leader amongst that room. All he needed was the opportunity, and I thought it was time.”

Sanders wasn’t ready to say who will start in Colorado’s Big 12 opener next week at Houston, but he got the clarity he was seeking on Saturday.

“I know exactly how I’m going to handle the quarterback situation,” he said. “I’m not going to say it, but yeah, I’m not lost for direction.”

Staub earned one start for Colorado in 2023 during Sanders’ debut season, replacing an injured Shedeur Sanders and throwing for 195 yards and one score in a 23-17 loss to Utah in the regular-season finale. He played a total of 20 snaps over four appearances last season but does possess more experience running offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur’s system than Colorado’s two…