Colorado Buffaloes, Deion Sanders Drop Season Opener To Georgia Tech

BOULDER — The Colorado Buffaloes lost their season opener to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 27-20 on Friday night.

With a new starting quarterback in Kaidon Salter, the Colorado Buffaloes battled the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, "Coach Prime" and the Buffs were unable to get the win. Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King committed three turnovers in the fourth quarter, but the Buffaloes were unable to capitalize.

Colorado Buffaloes Vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Live Score Updates

Colorado Buffaloes New Era Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Live Updates Deion Sanders Kaidon Salter Haynes King College Football — Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes offensive tackle Jordan Seaton (77) during the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

This article will be updated throughout Colorado's season opener against Georgia Tech:

Final Score: Georgia Tech 27, Colorado 20

Colorado fell to 0-1 on the season and will host the Delaware Blue Hens at Folsom Field next weekend.

Haynes King's Massive Touchdown Gives Georgia Tech Late Lead

Score Update: Georgia Tech 27, Colorado 20 (8:04, Q4)

Georgia Tech took its ultimate lead with about one minute left in the fourth quarter on a 45-yard run.

Kaidon Salter's Clutch Touchdown Ties Georgia Tech

QB1. Endzone. 🙌@CUBuffsFootball x @07ksalt pic.twitter.com/IagHrEZBJZ
— Colorado Buffaloes (@CUBuffs) August 30, 2025

Score Update: Georgia Tech 20, Colorado 20 (8:04, Q4)

Kaidon Salter brought the Folsom Field crowd to its feet midway through the second quarter when he scored a game-tying 7-yard rushing touchdown. Alejandro Mata's extra-point was tipped but still sneaked over the bottom goalpost.

Haynes King Scores Second Rushing Touchdown

Score Update: Georgia Tech 20, Colorado 13 (0:14, Q3)

Late in the third quarter, Haynes King put Georgia Tech on top with a 17-yard rushing touchdown to cap off an 11-play, 75-yard drive. All but one play on the drive was a rush.

Another Colorado Drive Stalls

Score Update: Georgia Tech 13, Colorado 13 (6:00, Q3)

Colorado's offense got as far as Georgia Tech's 5-yard line before stalling out, capped off by a Jordan Van Den Berg sack of Kaidon Salter. The Buffs still got points, however, on a chip-shot field goal frm Alejandro Mata.

Halftime Score Update: Georgia Tech 13, Colorado 10

Georgia Tech kicker Aidan Birr ended the quarter on a 43-yard field goal, giving the Yellow Jackets a three-point lead heading into halfitme.

Alejandro Mata Ties It Up

Score Update: Georgia Tech 10, Colorado 10 (1:39, Q2)

The always-accurate Alejandro Mata tied things up late in the second quarter with a 42-yard field goal. Colorado wide receiver Omarion Miller kept the drive alive on a 39-yard catch but the Buffs' ultimately stalled in Georgia Tech territory.

Haynes King Puts Georgia Tech On Top

Score Update: Georgia Tech 10, Colorado 7 (4:33, Q2)

On a third-and-2 from Colorado's 4-yard line, Haynes King tucked it and ran for the Yellow Jackets' first touchdown of the game. Despite forcing three turnovers, Colorado now trails 10-7.

King currently leads the Yellow Jackets with 34 rushing yards to go with 96 passing.

Georgia Tech Gets On The Board

Score Update: Colorado 7, Georgia Tech 3 (13:31, Q2)

Georgia Tech scored its first points of the game on a 32-yard field goal from Aidan Birr, cutting the Buffs' lead to 7-3.

End Q1 Score Update: Colorado 7, Georgia Tech 0

After one quarter of play, Colorado leads the Yellow Jackets, 7-0. The Buffs forced three turnovers in the first quarter but managed only seven points, which came on an 8-yard touchdown pass from Kaidon Salter to DeKalon Taylor.

Linebacker Martavius French tied a CU record with two fumble recoveries and cornerback DJ McKinney had an interception in the game's first 15 minutes.

DJ McKinney Picks Off Haynes King

INTERCEPTED BY DJ MCKINNEY🔒@DjMcKinney22 x #GoBuffs

📺: ESPN pic.twitter.com/5dtDkqau4q
— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) August 30, 2025

Colorado's defense recorded its third turnover of the game midway through the first quarter when cornerback DJ McKinney picked off Haynes King. McKinney, a projected future NFL Draft pick, set up Colorado's offense at its own 34.

Martavius French Recovers Second Fumble

For the second time in as many drives, Colorado capitalized on some sloppy play from Georgia Tech as a bad snap led to another Martavius French fumble recovery.

Kaidon Salter, DeKalon Taylor Connect For Touchdown

Score Update: Colorado 7, Georgia Tech 0 (12:08, Q1)

After Martavius French recovered a fumble, quarterback Kaidon Salter threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to running back DeKalon Taylor, putting Colorado up 7-0 less than three minutes into the first quarter.

Martavius French Recovers Fumble on Georgia Tech's Frist Drive

On only Georgia Tech's second play from scrimmage, quarterback Haynes King fumbled a snap that was recovered by linebacker Martavius French, giving Colorado strong field position at the Yellow Jackets' 36.

Colorado Depth Chart Surprises

Things could change throughout the game, but redshirt freshman Brandon Davis-Swain was listed as a top defensive tackle and Keaten Wade was a top defensive end. Defensive end Samuel Okunlola and defensive tackle Amari McNeill were both listed No. 2 at their respective positions.

Quick look at the depth charts for tonight’s game. Of note, DT Brandon Davis-Swain and DE Keaten Wade are both listed as starters. #cubuffs pic.twitter.com/mT8lPiYy1L
— Jack Carlough (@Jack_Carlough) August 29, 2025

Deion Sanders Previews Colorado's Season Opener

Deion Sanders' third season opener leading the Buffs might be his toughest. Led by quarterback Haynes King, running back Jamal Haynes, wide receiver Eric Rivers and an experienced offensive line, Georgia Tech features a bruising offense that should challenge the Buffs' run-stoppers. Defensively, the Yellow Jackets have a new coordinator in Blake Gideon, but remain talented across the board.

“They are going to come in and play tough, try and establish the run," Sanders said of Georgia Tech. "They are going to protect the ball. They aren’t going to make too many mistakes. Defense is savvy. They are going to force you to do some things you don’t wanna do. It’s going to be a great contest."

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Kaidon Salter Earns Starting Quarterback Nod

While freshman Julian "JuJu" Lewis may see some playing time as well depending on how things go, Kaidon Salter will start at quarterback in his Colorado debut. The Liberty transfer is entering his fifth college season as one of the nation's most intriguing dual-threat quarterbacks.

"He's done it before," Sanders said of Salter. "This is not his first time running down the tunnel and getting to start. He's done it before, and his experience is vital. We don't tend to seem like a young team. We have a ton of experience on offense and the defensive side of the ball, especially the coaching staff as well."