In a pulsating college football clash that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Colorado Buffaloes secured a remarkable victory against the Baylor Bears, overcoming what appeared to be a sure loss to win 38-31 in overtime.
First Half: A Back-and-Forth Battle
The game kicked off with Baylor striking first, as Isaiah Hankins nailed a 32-yard field goal to put the Bears ahead 3-0. However, Colorado answered back in spectacular fashion late in the first quarter. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders capped off an impressive 75-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run, giving the Buffaloes a 7-3 lead going into the second quarter.
Baylor fought back, reclaiming the lead early in the second quarter with a touchdown pass from Sawyer Robertson to Monaray Baldwin, making it 10-7. The Buffaloes responded with a solid 43-yard field goal from Alejandro Mata, tying the game at 10-10. But Baylor quickly shifted momentum with a jaw-dropping 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Jamaal Bell, pushing the Bears ahead 17-10.
Despite the setback, Colorado maintained its composure. Just before halftime, in a thrilling display of connection, Sanders launched a 58-yard touchdown pass to Omarion Miller, who made an amazing move to avoid being tackled and ruled down. Miller was inches away from his knee hitting the ground on a tackle attempt, but kept upright long enough to bring the Buffaloes within striking distance at 24-17 as the teams headed into the locker room.
Second Half: Resilience on Display
The third quarter saw Colorado continue to fight back. On their opening drive, the Buffaloes marched 80 yards down the field, culminating in a two-yard touchdown run by Micah Welch, tying the game at 24-24. The momentum was shifting, and the Buffaloes were hungry for more.
As the fourth quarter unfolded, Baylor managed to find the end zone again with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Robertson to Hal Presley, putting the Bears ahead 31-24 with just over five minutes remaining. But the Buffaloes weren’t done yet. After a key defensive stand with just over two minutes remaining the drama unfolded in front of the homecoming crowd in Boulder. In a dramatic final push, Sanders orchestrated a masterful drive, and the offensive line provided the necessary protection after a shaky second half. The crowd had lost its energy after Will Sheppard dropped what would have been a sure touchdown and a chance to tie the game with two seconds remaining. But the magic was just beginning for Sanders. Rolling to his left with two seconds remaining, Sanders hit a 43-yard touchdown pass to LaJohntay Wester as time expired, leveling the score at 31-31 after the extra point and sending the game into overtime.
Overtime: A Fitting Finish
In the overtime period, Colorado’s offense remained unfazed. The Buffaloes had the first possession and methodically moved the ball down the field. Micah Welch would cap off the drive with a one-yard touchdown run, giving Colorado a 38-31 lead.
The Colorado defense then delivered what would go down as the defensive play of the game. Maybe the defensive play of the weekend, and it was executed by Heisman candidate Travis Hunter. Baylor’s Dominic Richardson ripped through the hole his offensive line made and only had one defender to beat to force a second overtime. But Hunter laid his helmet directly on the football as Richardson dove towards the endzone. The ball squirted out before Richardson broke the plane of the endzone. It went out of the back of the endzone which sealed the victory for Colorado.
