The Colorado Buffaloes picked up their biggest win of the season on Saturday afternoon, outlasting Iowa State in a gritty 24-17 battle at Folsom Field. It was a much-needed boost for a team looking to build momentum, and the Buffs delivered precisely that.
As we do each week, we're highlighting the players who made the most significant impact. Against Iowa State, several Buffs rose to the occasion and delivered when it mattered most, helping secure a crucial win and setting the tone for the remainder of the season
Here are five players who stood out in Colorado's massive win over Iowa State:
Salter played a strong, confident game under center, finishing 16-of-25 for 255 yards and two touchdowns through the air, while adding nine carries for 57 yards on the ground. He made several clutch throws throughout the afternoon, none bigger than a perfectly placed 38-yard strike on third-and-16 late in the fourth quarter to help seal the victory. This was one of Salter's more complete performances of the season, and one he can absolutely build on.
The sophomore wideout put together a career performance against the Cyclones, hauling in eight catches for 128 yards and a touchdown. He was Salter's top target from the opening drive and consistently came through in key moments. Williams has had solid outings this season, but this week he took over, carving up the Iowa State secondary and playing a significant role in the Buffs' offensive success.
That's now back-to-back strong showings for Miller, and it's precisely what Colorado fans have been waiting to see. After going for six catches, 89 yards, and two touchdowns last week, Miller followed it up with three catches for 82 yards and another score against ISU. His explosiveness and ability to stretch the field are becoming a consistent part of this offense, marking a huge development as the season heats up.
The junior linebacker was a constant presence on defense, finishing with 10 total tackles, including 1.5 for loss. Brown was flying around all afternoon and delivered multiple timely stops when the Buffs needed them most. Even though Iowa State running back Abu Sama III piled up over 170 rushing yards, Brown and the Colorado defense tightened up when it mattered, doing an excellent job of containing quarterback Rocco Becht and limiting big plays through the air.
Byard has been quietly solid all season, but Saturday marked his true breakout moment. He totaled seven tackles and came away with a game-changing interception of Rocco Becht, which he returned for 18 yards. His instincts and awareness in coverage stood out, and the Buffs' secondary as a whole showed up with one of their strongest performances of the year. If Byard can continue this level of play, it gives the defense a big lift moving forward.
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