Kaidon Salter did something on Saturday night for the first time in his five-year college football career.
The Colorado quarterback threw three interceptions (all in the first half) as the Buffs blew a 14-0 lead for the second straight week. TCU used those turnovers to storm back and hand Deion Sanders‘ Colorado football team its third Big 12 loss (0-3) of the season.
Here are three takeaways from the Buffs’ 35-21 loss to TCU:
Kaidon Salter hurts Colorado with interceptions
Kaidon Salter has appeared in 39 career college football games. Saturday night was his first career game with three interceptions, including one on his first pass attempt of the game.
Salter’s second interception of the first half led to a TCU touchdown that tied the game at 14 just two plays later. His third interception of the first half wiped at least three points off the board for Colorado. After a TCU pass interference gave the Buffs a 1st and goal at the two-yard line with six seconds left in the half, Salter’s pass was tipped and picked off.
Kaidon Salter is a fifth-year senior who simply can’t make those kind of game-altering mistakes, especially when Colorado’s running backs and defense are playing well enough to win. It might be time, sooner rather than later, for true freshman Julian “Ju Ju” Lewis to make his first career start.
The Buffs aren’t talented enough this season to overcome four interceptions from its QB over the last two weeks. If Kaidon Salter continues to hurt this team with turnovers, it makes too much sense to hand the keys over to the five-star freshman.
Kaidon Salter threw two touchdowns (both to Omarion Miller) and ran for another (his fifth rushing TD this season) but his inconsistent play can no longer be tolerated.
Colorado’s defense plays well enough to win
For the second consecutive week, the Buffs’ defense played good enough to win but was let down by the offense.
Colorado held BYU to a season-low 24 points last week and held TCU to just 21 points through three-and-a-half quarters. The Horned Frogs came into Week 6 averaging 37 points per game but the Buffs were able to keep Josh Hoover and TCU’s running game in check.
Hoover threw for his second-lowest passing total of the season (254 yards) while TCU averaged just 2.5 yards per attempt. Unfortunately, it was a wasted effort due to the Buffs’ offense scoring just seven points in the second half.
Keaten Wade led Colorado with seven total tackles (four solo), a sack and two TFLs. Jeremiah Brown got the start at linebacker and also racked up seven total tackles (three solo) and a TFL. Each of cornerback DJ McKinney’s six tackles were solo.
Colorado is on the verge of missing out on bowl eligibility
The Buffs are now 2-4 (0-3 Big 12) this season which means their bowl eligibility is officially in jeopardy.
Colorado will have to win four of its final six games this season to become bowl eligible. It’s a far cry from where many fans thought this team would be headed with Kaidon Salter leading the way.
That task becomes even more difficult when taking a look at the Buffs’ remaining schedule. Colorado hosts Iowa State next week before its first bye of the season. The Buffs will then travel to Salt Lake City for a matchup with Utah before hosting Arizona and then traveling to Morgantown, West Virginia.
Perhaps this season isn’t even abut bowl eligibility anymore, though. Perhaps it’s more about getting Julian Lewis ready for the future.
Follow Colorado Buffaloes beat reporter Scott Procter on X.