Deion Sanders and Colorado are preparing to face Weber State in its home opener, but the Wildcats are unlikely to have the quarterback around whom their new offense was built.
Weber State coach Eric Kjar indicated that starting quarterback Devin Brown will probably remain sidelined Saturday because of the dislocated right pinkie finger he suffered in the season opener against Northern Colorado.
“Assuming Devin still will probably miss one more week,” Kjar said while providing an update on several injured Wildcats.
The wording stopped short of officially ruling Brown out, but it was the strongest indication yet that freshman Nate Dahle will make his second consecutive start when Weber State visits Folsom Field.
Brown injured his throwing hand when it struck a defender’s helmet during Weber State’s 30–29 victory over Northern Colorado. He completed 9 of 18 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns before leaving during the third quarter because he could no longer grip the football effectively.
Devin Brown’s reunion with Eric Kjar put him at Weber State
Brown is not a typical FCS quarterback.
The former national top-50 recruit spent three seasons at Ohio State, where he was part of the Buckeyes’ 2024 national championship team and started the 2023 Cotton Bowl. He transferred to Cal for the 2025 season before making the surprising decision to finish his career at Weber State.
That decision was largely about reuniting with Kjar, his former high school coach.
Brown played his senior season at Corner Canyon High School under Kjar, throwing for 4,881 yards and 57 touchdowns while leading the Chargers to a state runner-up finish. He was rated as the No. 6 quarterback and No. 43 overall prospect in his recruiting class.
After moving through two Power Four programs without securing a long-term starting job, Brown followed Kjar to Weber State when the coach made the jump from Corner Canyon to the college level.
Freshman Nate Dahle takes over explosive offense
Dahle demonstrated that Weber State’s offense can remain dangerous without Brown. In Saturday’s 47–42 loss at Southern Utah, the freshman completed 21 of 44 passes for 282 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
“I love what he prepares like and how he takes the field,” Kjar said. “He kind of seems a little unflappable, even though he’s young.”
Dahle’s strongest connection has been with junior receiver Noah Kjar, the coach’s son. Kjar caught seven passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns against Southern Utah, giving him 15 receptions for 264 yards and four scores through two games.
He leads FCS football in receiving touchdowns and ranks second in receiving yards.
“Noah’s been super productive for us so far,” Eric Kjar said. “We’ll continue to try to get him in spots where he can help our offense and help us be productive.”
The Wildcats have scored 72 points through two games, but starting a freshman quarterback at Folsom Field is different from playing Northern Colorado or Southern Utah. Dahle must handle the noise, Colorado’s defensive speed and the pressure of trying to keep pace as a 34.5-point underdog.
Kjar believes Dahle has the temperament to handle the moment, but he acknowledged that the stage Coach Prime has helped build will be unlike anything his young quarterback has previously experienced.
“It’s a big challenge this week with Colorado, and in that environment for him will be something new,” Kjar said.
Injury changes Colorado’s defensive preparation
Brown’s expected absence removes Weber State’s most experienced offensive player and changes the type of challenge Colorado’s defense will face.
Instead of preparing primarily for a fifth-year quarterback with Power Four experience and a dangerous downfield arm, the Buffaloes can concentrate on making Dahle uncomfortable. Colorado will likely disguise coverages, bring pressure from different angles and force the freshman to make quick decisions in an unfamiliar environment.
The Wildcats will also need to protect Dahle better by establishing their rushing attack and avoiding obvious passing situations. Colorado’s defense held Georgia Tech to 51 rushing yards in its season-opening 14–13 victory, forcing the Yellow Jackets to rely on their passing game.
“They played well last week,” Kjar said. “I thought they played great defense and made enough plays in the offensive game, running the ball really well and effectively, to where they were able to put themselves in a position to win on the road. That was a big win for them.”
Weber State’s defense must also improve after allowing Southern Utah to accumulate 474 total yards, including 328 on the ground. That is a dangerous weakness against a Colorado offense that rushed for 183 yards at Georgia Tech.
Kjar said the Wildcats’ effort was not the problem. Their execution and assignment discipline were.
“I love the way our kids played,” Kjar said. “I thought they played hard and battled. I’m going to continue to emphasize that, but just play a little bit cleaner and execute our schemes on offense, defense and a little bit in special teams.”
But without Brown, Weber State’s already narrow path toward an upset becomes considerably tighter.
“I think it’s an exciting opportunity for us to be able to go into a big environment,” Kjar said. “A lot of people know about Colorado, or at least know their program from a national standpoint.”
The Wildcats will arrive in Boulder with little external pressure and nearly everything to gain. Colorado, meanwhile, must avoid the type of unfocused performance that allows a significant underdog to remain within striking distance.
“The challenge and the opportunity is awesome and a little bit unique for an FCS school,” Kjar said. “But we’re excited about it.”
Colorado and Weber State will meet for the first time Saturday at 1:30 p.m. MT and 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
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