By : Sabri Haidar
(Photo/Faizan Bokhari- The Mojo Network)
After sparking the Buffaloes’ offense in last weekend’s win over Delaware, sophomore quarterback Ryan Staub is expected to get the starting nod for Friday’s Big 12 opener against Houston, according to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Deion Sanders turned to Staub after the offense sputtered early against Delaware, which is competing in its first FBS season. The third-stringer responded in a big way—completing 7 of 10 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns—instantly injecting life into a stagnant unit. The breakout showing put Staub in line to leap past former starter Kaidon Salter and five-star freshman Julian Lewis on the depth chart.
Sanders himself fueled speculation of a shakeup following the game, saying he was “not lost for direction” regarding the quarterback competition. But on Tuesday, the head coach pushed back on reports that Staub had officially been named the starter.
“In today’s media, we don’t care about being correct anymore. We just want to be first,” Sanders told reporters, per David Ubben of The Athletic.
For now, the Buffaloes’ quarterback carousel remains unresolved publicly. Still, Staub’s emergence has positioned him as the frontrunner to take the first snap Friday night in Houston, with the program’s Big 12 debut hanging in the balance.