Reports: Colorado to start QB Ryan Staub vs. Houston

Field Level Media|published: Tue 9th September, 10:32 2025

Sep 6, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Ryan Staub (16) calls for the ball in the second half against the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Ryan Staub will be Colorado's starting quarterback Friday night at Houston, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.

Staub was third on the depth chart before coming off the bench to lead Saturday's victory against Delaware.

The redshirt sophomore completed 7 of 10 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns in the Buffaloes' 31-7 win. He had a 21-yard TD pass to Dekalon Taylor to close out the first half and a 71-yarder to Sincere Brown to open the second half.

Staub backed up Shedeur Sanders the past two seasons in Boulder and began the campaign behind transfer Kaidon Salter and four-star freshman Julian Lewis.

"To be honest, this whole week, I wasn't really expecting to play," Staub said after the Delaware game. "Friday, I kinda got the call and, OK, I might be playing. I was just waiting on an opportunity. Didn't know it would be a two-minute drill, and kind of the rest is history."

Salter has completed 30 of 44 passes for 261 yards with one TD and four sacks in two games. Lewis has two completions for 8 yards.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders stayed mum on his QB situation after the game.

"I know exactly how I'm going to handle (it)," he said. "I'm not going to say it, but yeah, I'm not lost for direction."

Friday's game at Houston (2-0) will be the first road game and first Big 12 game of the season for Colorado (1-1).

--Field Level Media

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