Even before taking his first snap for the Colorado Buffaloes, quarterback Kaidon Salter is already capturing attention across the state. On Friday night, Salter made a prominent appearance not on the football field but at Ball Arena, taking center stage during Game 3 of the Denver Nuggets’ Western Conference Semifinals matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Buffaloes’ new signal-caller was invited to attempt the ceremonial first shot, receiving a warm welcome from the sold-out playoff crowd. While his football debut is still ahead, Salter’s confident demeanor offered a glimpse of the poise he brings to Boulder.
Before First Snap, Kaidon Salter Makes Statement at Nuggets Game
Kaidon Salter hasn’t yet taken a snap in a Colorado uniform, but he’s already making his presence known in the Centennial State. On May 9, under the bright lights of Ball Arena, the new Buffaloes quarterback delivered a confident, crowd-pleasing moment during Game 3 of the Denver Nuggets’ Western Conference Semifinal against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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With the series tied 1–1 and anticipation high, Salter was invited to open the night by taking the ceremonial free throw. Calm under pressure, he stepped to the line and sank the shot, drawing loud cheers from a sold-out playoff crowd.
He then shared a brief but memorable exchange with Rocky, the Nuggets’ iconic mascot, further ingratiating himself with the local fanbase. The Nuggets won an overtime thriller to lead the series 2–1.
Salter’s appearance was more than just a fun diversion—it was a moment that highlighted his poise and charisma in a high-pressure setting. For Buffaloes supporters, it also signaled his readiness to step into a leadership role, both on the field and in the broader Colorado sports community.
It’s a path paved by stars like Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, who became regular faces at Nuggets games and established a strong presence in Denver’s sports culture.
Following in those footsteps, Salter is eager to make a similar impact. His admiration for Sanders played a major role in his decision to transfer to Colorado.
“The amount of passing yards that Shedeur Sanders put up last year and his completion rate and all of his achievements are something that I loved and most definitely led me to committing here [Boulder],” Salter said during early media availability.
Salter arrives in Boulder after a standout career at Liberty, where he accumulated over 5,800 passing yards, 56 touchdowns through the air, and added more than 2,000 rushing yards with 21 scores on the ground.
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He led Liberty to an undefeated regular season and a Conference USA championship, earning MVP honors in the title game and national recognition as a Maxwell Award semifinalist. Now with one year of eligibility left, Salter appears ready to embrace the spotlight—and Friday night was a promising start.
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