In an instant classic, the Colorado Buffaloes earned a dramatic 38-31 victory over Baylor, culminating in a last-second Hail Mary from Shedeur Sanders to LaJohntay Wester.
With the clock ticking down and Colorado trailing 31-24, Sanders, known for his calmness under pressure, orchestrated a play that will be remembered for years to come. He evaded Baylor defenders and threw a deep 43-yard pass into the end zone as time expired. Amidst a crowd of Baylor defenders, Wester made an incredible leap and secured the ball for a touchdown that tied the game at 31-31 and sent it into overtime.
The play electrified Colorado fans and shifted the momentum completely in their favor in overtime. Sanders, who had been steady throughout the game, once again showed his leadership and resilience, and the entire team benefited from the dramatic touchdown that forced overtime. Full of energy, Colorado’s freshman running back Micah Welch made a crucial contribution. Welch, who showed great composure for his age, stormed into the end zone from one yard out, giving the Buffaloes an overtime lead.
Baylor, however, was not going to give up without a fight. The Bears marched quickly down the field and threatened to tie the game again. When Baylor stood at Colorado’s 1-yard line, the game seemed to get even more dramatic. Colorado’s defense, led by Travis Hunter, was great, however. The Buffs’ two-way star, who had been a key player throughout the game, delivered a game-winning play by forcing Baylor’s running back Dominic Richardson to fumble. The ball bounced into the end zone and was used for a touchback, securing Colorado’s victory. The referees reviewed the play, but the decision stood, and CU fans prematurely stormed the field and toppled the goal post.
What Deion Sanders said after the thrilling OT win against Baylor
Hunter’s turnover kept the promise he made earlier in the game when he told Sanders he would make a defensive stop when it mattered most. True to his word, Hunter’s defensive heroics secured the win for the Buffaloes and gave them their first victory in the Big 12 Conference under head coach Deion Sanders.
“Shedeur told me to go out and get the ball as soon as we scored,” Hunter said after the game. “So I told him, ‘I got you.’ I kept my word. I knew I had the tackle because you could see me putting my mouthpiece on towards the end of the game. I was ready. I knew they were going to come at me. I know they think I can’t tackle. So I had to show them.”
This win was a significant milestone for Colorado, marking their return to the Big 12 with a bang and demonstrating their potential to compete at a high level under Sanders’ leadership.
Colorado heads to Orlando next Saturday to face UCF.
