Colorado Buffaloes, Deion Sanders Fall At Houston, Ryan Staub Shaky In Start

Coach Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes fell to the Houston Cougars on Friday evening in their Big 12 Conference opener. In quarterback Ryan Staub's second career start, the Buffs showed little offensive life and were even flatter on the defensive end.

Aug 29, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the first quarter against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Big 12 Conference play didn't begin well for coach Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes.

Colorado opened its Big 12 slate against the Houston Cougars on Friday evening and largely struggled on both sides of the ball in a 36-20 road loss. Quarterback Ryan Staub took a step back in his second career start, and Colorado's defense allowed the Cougars over 400 total yards, including 209 on the ground.

The Buffs are now 1-2 (0-1 Big 12) heading into next week's matchup against the Wyoming Cowboys.

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Ryan Staub (16) against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

This article will be updated with scoring plays and other news during Colorado's Big 12 opener against Houston:

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Final Score: Houston 36, Colorado 20

Ethan Sanchez Hits Fifth Field Goal To Extend Houston's Lead

Score Update: Houston 36, Colorado 20 (Q4, 3:34)

Ryan Staub Connects With Joseph Williams For Touchdown

Score Update: Houston 33, Colorado 20 (Q4, 4:34)

Colorado's offense showed some life midway through the fourth quarter when Ryan Staub hit wide receiver Joseph Williams for a 37-yard touchdown.

Conner Weigman Scores Second Rushing Touchdown

Score Update: Houston 33, Colorado 14 (Q4, 11:39)

End Quarter 3 Score Update: Houston 26, Colorado 14

After running only five offensive plays in the third quarter, the Buffs will enter the fourth quarter down 12 and with the ball.

Conner Weigman Extends Houston's Lead

Score Update: Houston 26, Colorado 14 (Q3, 1:21)

Houston's Conner Weigman, who now owns 76 rushing yards, extended Houston's lead with a 1-yard score on a quarterback sneak.

Houston Scores Field Goal On First Drive Of Second Half

Score Update: Houston 19, Colorado 14 (Q3, 6:25)

Ethan Sanchez nailed his fourth field goal of the evening on the Cougars' first drive of the second half, extending Houston's lead to 19-14. Houston converted a 4th-and-4 on the drive before stalling out.

Halftime Score Update: Houston 16, Colorado 14

Score Update: Houston 19, Colorado 14 (Q3, 6:25)

Colorado trails Houston by only two points entering halftime despite an atrocious first quarter.

Back-to-back TD drives of 93 and 88 yards make the halftime stats look much better for the #CUBuffs: pic.twitter.com/VUeQDRihdn

— Tyler King (@King_TylerB) September 13, 2025

Zach Atkins Saves Ryan Staub For Wild Touchdown

Score Update: Houston 16, Colorado 14 (Q2, 0:26)

With less than one minute remaining in the first half, Ryan Staub took off from Houston's 19-yard line and attempted to dive head-first into the end zone but fumbled just short. Tight end Zach Atkins was in the right place at the right time, recovering the fumble for a touchdown.

Houston Answers With Field Goal

Score Update: Houston 16, Colorado 7 (Q2, 1:45)

Houston's Ethan Sanchez nailed his third field goal of the game with just under two minutes remaining in the first half.

Fortunately for the Buffs, holding Houston to field goals should help them stay in the game.

Simeon Price Scores Lengthy Touchdown

Score Update: Houston 13, Colorado 7 (Q2, 7:34)

Running back Simeon Price scored his first career rushing touchdown midway through the second quarter on a 38-yard dash up the middle. All of a sudden, Colorado has Houston within six points.

The Buffs' offense traveled 93 yards on 10 plays.

THE PRICE IS RIGHT! 💰@SimeonPrice2 x #GoBuffs

🖥️: ESPN pic.twitter.com/qV9GS2vd23

— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) September 13, 2025

Questionable Penalty Reversal Costs Colorado Three Points

Score Update: Houston 13, Colorado 0 (Q2, 14:13)

Thanks in part to an offensive pass interference call that was overturned, Houston marched the ball to Colorado's 25-yard line before settling on a 42-yard Ethan Sanchez field goal.

End Quarter 1 Score Update: Houston 10, Colorado 0

Colorado got off to a sluggish start against the Cougars, tallying only 45 offensive yards while allowing Houston to run for 92 and pass for 91. Ryan Staub completed six of nine passes for 42 yards in his second career start.

Deion Sanders just called Colorado's defense "hot garbage" in his post-quarter 1 interview with ESPN

— Jack Carlough (@Jack_Carlough) September 13, 2025

Houston's Dean Connors Scores Touchdown

Score Update: Houston 10, Colorado 0 (Q1, 3:52)

After a 3rd-and-5 completion and a roughing the passer brought Houston's offense to the Buffs' 4-yard line, running back Dean Connors punched in his third touchdown of the season.

Houston Takes Early Lead Over Colorado

Score Update: Houston 3, Colorado 0 (Q1, 6:42)

Houston threw the game's first punch midway through the opening frame courtesy of a 52-yard Ethan Sanchez field goal. Colorado's defense allowed Houston quarterback Conner Weigman to throw for 47 yards in his first drive.

Omarion Miller Warming Up

Omarion Miller was listed as questionable on pregame availability reports due to a hamstring injury, but the wide receiver was seen in uniform and warming up prior to kickoff. Miller tweaked his hamstring in Colorado's season opener and missed last week's game against Delaware.

With Staub slated to start, Miller becomes a key weapon for Colorado's offense.

Final availability report for Colorado at Houston. Of note, WR Omarion Miller was going through warmups with receivers a bit ago on the field #cubuffs pic.twitter.com/lOODjJyXZz

— Brian Howell (@BrianHowell33) September 12, 2025

All Eyes On Ryan Staub

Nov 29, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Ryan Staub (16) during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Assuming Staub gets the start, the redshirt sophomore has an excellent opportunity to separate himself from Salter and freshman Julian "JuJu" Lewis in Colorado's quarterback room. Staub threw for 157 yards and two touchdowns against Delaware last week, and while Houston is certainly a greater test, his experience in offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur's system is reason for optimism.

"I've been here for almost three years with him now, and we've built a great relationship and a lot of trust," Staub said of Shumur. "He knows exactly what I'm good at and what I like, and we were able to roll."

Ryan Staub is listed atop the QB depth chart for Colorado vs. Houston

Jeremiah Brown is listed as a starting LB after totaling a game-high eight tackles last week. pic.twitter.com/SVBnDWOCOm

— Scott Procter (@ScottProcter_) September 12, 2025

Conversely, Shurmur has yet to get the best out of Salter. The Liberty transfer hasn't played poorly by any means, but his lack of chemistry with Colorado's wide receivers remains worrisome.

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Examining The Houston Cougars

Aug 28, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars quarterback Conner Weigman (1) attempts a pass during the first quarter against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Houston is set to face its first true test of the season on Friday after blowing out Stephen F. Austin and Rice the past two weeks. Weigman, a transfer from Texas A&M, has thrown for 347 yards and four touchdowns, tight end Tanner Koziol leads the Cougars in receiving with 115 yards and running back Dean Connors owns a team-high 182 rushing yards.

Defensively, linebacker Jalen Garner and defensive back Latrell McCutchin Sr. lead Houston with 13 tackles each. The Cougars tallied three interceptions and a pair of forced fumbles as well in their first two games.