Woelk: Buffs' Miracle Finish An Instant Classic
September 22, 2024 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — College football fans around the nation are still shaking their heads in disbelief.
"Improbable" doesn't begin to describe what transpired Saturday night at Folsom Field.
Unbelievable? Incredible? Inconceivable? Those all fit.
But whatever your description, the end result was a 38-31 Colorado victory in overtime over Baylor in the Buffaloes' Big 12 opener.
What could have been a disappointing loss — what had every sign of becoming a disappointing loss for much of the evening — instead turned into a miracle finish CU fans will never forget.
Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders' Buffs dodged bullets all night. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders was magnificent. Two-way star Travis Hunter was outstanding.
And in the end, CU came up with big plays when absolutely necessary to produce the win.
With two seconds left in the game, Colorado trailed 31-24 with the ball on the Baylor 43-yard line. Everyone in a sold-out Folsom Field — everyone — knew Sanders would try to fling the ball into the end zone on Colorado's final play from scrimmage.
That is exactly what he did, rolling to his left, stopping and heaving a toss into the end zone where LaJohntay Wester was waiting. Wester dove to the turf and cradled the ball, sending the crowd of 52,794 into delirium.
Alejandro Mata then calmly booted the PAT to send the game into overtime — which only set the stage for more improbable moments.
Scratch that.
Actually, the finish seemed inevitable after the ending to regulation. (CU fans can only hope Kordell Stewart and Michael Westbrook were watching.)
Colorado's offense methodically took care of its end of business, marching 25 yards in seven plays for a touchdown and 38-31 lead.
Baylor came back and appeared ready to tie the game — right up to the point that Hunter met BU running back Dominic Richardson at the goal line. Hunter hit him low, the ball popped loose and dribbled harmlessly out of the end zone to seal the win.
Cue "unbelievable."
Of course, CU had a chance at the game-tying score in regulation only because the Bears missed a 45-yard field goal with just more than two minutes remaining. The Buffs also won a game in which they gave up eight sacks, a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown and a 45-yard Baylor touchdown run on fourth-and-1.
But, as Coach Prime pointed out, the Buffs were resilient. They never quit, never stopped believing they had a chance.
Sophomore wide receiver Omarion Miller, who spends much of his time on the sideline watching Colorado's starters do their thing, delivered a huge play just before the half. With the Buffs trailing by two touchdowns, he took a pass from Sanders, broke free of a tackle — and while just about everyone in the stadium thought he was down, he knew differently. He kept his balance, regained his footing and raced to the end zone with a 58-yard touchdown play.
Instead of trailing by two scores, the Buffs hit the locker room down just 24-17.
CU's defense also stepped up in the second half. Baylor drove to midfield on its second possession and needed just a yard to keep the drive alive. Instead, defensive end BJ Green II stopped Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson for a 1-yard loss.
Even when the Bears finally took the lead again, CU's defense didn't quit. After Colorado had to punt from its own end zone, the Bears were in prime position to collect at least a field goal.
But the defense pushed the Bears back and the 45-yard BU field goal attempt sliced just right of the goal posts.
The Buffs still had life — and Shedeur and Co. delivered, even after facing a second-and-24 on the drive. Sanders ran for 17 yards, completed a pass for 6 and then ran for 3 on fourth-and-1 to keep the drive alive.
Then came the 43-yard touchdown throw. What will be widely described as a Hail Mary was actually a rocket off the arm of Sanders. He knew where he wanted to throw it and delivered.
Sanders finished with 341 yards passing, two touchdowns and a handful of huge runs to keep drives alive. Hunter finished with seven catches for 130 yards as well as three tackles and his forced fumble on defense.
But CU was more than the Big Two.
Freshman running back Micah Welch ran for two scores, showing nice short-yardage power. Safety Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig had 13 tackles, including 10 solo stops. Linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green had eight stops, including one for loss. Shane Cokes had a sack. Wester finished with four receptions for 68 yards.
After the game, the Buffs stressed that they can play better. Coach Prime said they have just shown glimpses of what they are capable of achieving.
Indeed, CU had its share of self-inflicted wounds. Colorado can't expect to keep winning while giving up eight sacks. The special teams miscues were almost disastrous.
But in the end, they never quit. They continued to believe.
And today, college football fans are still shaking their heads in disbelief.
