Colorado will face Georgia Tech in the teams' season opener on Friday night in Boulder, Colo., in the first-ever meeting between the two programs that split the 1990 national championship.

After years of insignificance, Colorado appeared back on the map two seasons ago with the hiring of coach Deion Sanders and the additions of son Shedeur and last year's Heisman winner and second overall pick in the NFL draft, Travis Hunter.

With quarterback Sanders and wide receiver/cornerback Hunter off to the pros, Colorado, which finished 9-4 last season, has named fifth-year transfer Kaidon Salter as the starting quarterback for the opener.

Salter joined Colorado in December with 77 touchdowns (56 passing, 21 rushing) across 35 games in four seasons at quarterback for Liberty.

"Kaidon is unbelievable," Deion Sanders said. "Kaidon is off the chain. He can get the job done. I wouldn't have brought him here if I didn't trust him."

While Georgia Tech (7-6 in 2024) prepares to face Salter, coach Brent Key readies to face a fellow third-year coach in Sanders.

"We have a chance to go on national TV to open the season on a Friday night and play such a quality opponent," Key said. "It's an honor to play a guy like Deion Sanders, coach to coach. ... He's done a tremendous job putting that team together with the amount of talent that they have."

Sixth-year senior Haynes King will return for his third season as Georgia Tech's starter at quarterback. After helping to lead the team to consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 2013-14, King was picked second behind Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik for ACC Preseason Player of the Year honors.

"It's always good to open up the season against somebody that's good, strong and a talented football team," King said. "That pushes your team to be the best as well, whether it's through the offseason, fall camp or even preparing for the first game."

--Field Level Media

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