BOULDER, Colo. – Fans flooded the field before the end of the game, creating an electrifying atmosphere. In a thrilling contest, the Colorado Buffaloes executed a series of clutch plays, emerging victorious with a 38-31 overtime win against Baylor at home.
The postgame celebrations echoed in the locker room under head coach Deion Sanders. “It was a party, man,” said Colorado receiver LaJohntay Wester. “There’s nothing like it, especially after a win.”
The dramatic turn of events was marked by Colorado overcoming a 14-point deficit. They sealed the game with a Hail Mary pass as time expired, followed by a critical forced fumble in overtime by Travis Hunter. “Great, great, great, great, great win,” Sanders remarked afterward.
The game was nearly a loss for Colorado, with Baylor (2-2) on the verge of a late-game victory. A crucial 45-yard field goal attempt by Baylor in the fourth quarter missed narrowly, allowing Colorado to take possession despite trailing 31-24.
From that moment, the Buffs surged forward. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders faced a pivotal fourth-and-1 at the Baylor 46-yard line but secured a first down with a 3-yard run. A subsequent pass attempt to Will Sheppard fell incomplete, setting the stage for one last chance.
With just seconds on the clock, Sanders launched a 43-yard Hail Mary pass, reminiscent of Colorado’s famous Hail Mary victory at Michigan nearly 30 years ago. Receiver Wester caught the ball in the end zone despite the challenging weather conditions, tying the game at 31-31 as time expired.
In overtime, Colorado scored first, courtesy of a 1-yard touchdown from freshman running back Micah Welch. However, Baylor had its own opportunity, moving to the Colorado 2-yard line. On a critical play, Hunter made a game-saving stop, forcing a fumble as Baylor running back Dominic Richardson attempted to leap over him.
“I knew that was coming at me,” Hunter stated. He played an impressive two-way game, finishing with seven receptions for 130 yards offensively and contributing significantly on defense.
As fans rushed the field following the game, officials had to confirm the outcome through replay, causing brief confusion. Coach Sanders expressed his dismay about the interruption but praised the thrilling conclusion.
Aranda, the Baylor head coach, labeled the outcome a “heart-wrenching loss,” reflecting on his team’s missed opportunities.
Despite the victory, Colorado faced struggles earlier in the game, allowing significant plays including a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders completed 25 passes for 341 yards and acknowledged his mixed performance. “You gotta understand I can’t have a game like that again,” he said.
Looking ahead, the Buffaloes, now 3-1, hope to maintain their momentum as they prepare for an upcoming game against Central Florida. Coach Sanders is confident in his team’s potential despite the challenges they face in securing postseason eligibility.