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Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29

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Third-stringer Ryan Staub’s performance creates QB dilemma for Deion Sanders and Colorado

Colorado quarterback Ryan Staub warms up before an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado quarterback Ryan Staub warms up before an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Colorado quarterback Ryan Staub warms up before an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — To Deion Sanders, the plan last weekend seemed only fair: Give all three of his quarterbacks two series each to see what they could do. That way, the situation could “tell us its own story,” he explained.

That story now contains an intriguing plot development.

The Colorado coach has a dilemma at QB going into the Big 12 Conference opener Friday in Houston. It’s the sort of predicament he’s sidestepped because he’s had his son, Shedeur.

The under-center candidates include transfer and current starter Kaidon Salter, along with freshman Julian “JuJu” Lewis. Added to the mix after Saturday’s stellar performance is the longtime understudy, Ryan Staub, who served as the backup to Shedeur Sanders the past two seasons.

“I know exactly how I’m going to handle the quarterback situation,” Deion Sanders said after a 31-7 win over Delaware that set the QB situation in full motion. “I’m not going to say it.”