Thursday, September 3
Atlanta, Ga.
6 p.m.
Colorado
1-0 , 0-0
14
at
13
Georgia Tech
0-1 , 0-0
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Georgia Tech | 0 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
DeAndre Moore
Late TD, Boo Block, Gives Buffs Thrilling Win At Georgia Tech
September 03, 2026 | Football
ATLANTA - Colorado (1-0, 0-0) engineered a late scoring drive, and Boo Carter blocked a field goal attempt with three seconds left to deliver the Buffaloes a thrilling 14-13 win over Georgia Tech (0-1, 0-0) Thursday at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Colorado trailed 13-7 with under two minutes left when quarterback Julian Lewis led the Buffaloes on an 8-play, 75-yard drive capped off by a 20-yard touchdown throw to Charlie Williams.
Georgia Tech quickly got back into position for a potential game-winning 45-yard field goal, but Aidan Birr's attempt was blocked by Carter to clinch the win.
"I never flinched, man," head coach Deion 'Coach Prime' Sanders said. "I told several people on the sideline we're going to make it very, very interesting, but we're going to win this game. That's just the faith I have in these young men and the coaching staff"
Junior defensive lineman Lamont Lester Jr. put on an impressive defensive performance in his Buffaloes debut, boasting three sacks across the first three quarters. It is the most sacks by a CU player in their debut as a Buff since 2003, and the first time since 2020. The dominant CU defense held Georgia Tech to just 5 of 13 on third down conversions and caused three fumbles.
The Buffaloes' offense put their rushing ability on display with 183 rushing yards, the second most under coach Prime, led by running backs Damian Henderson II and Micah Welch, who had 65 and 58 rushing yards, respectively.
How It Happened:
On a sweltering, steamy evening in Atlanta, it quickly became clear that the contest would be a defensive war of attrition. After a scoreless first quarter, the Buffs were the first to get on the scoreboard early in the second quarter when CU received a short punt to take over at the Yellow Jackets' 35 and proceeded to give the ball to Welch four straight times before the tailback hit pay dirt from five yards out to put Colorado on top 7-0.
The advantage was short-lived as on the ensuing kickoff, a mere 14 seconds later, Rahkeen Smith raced the length of the field for a 100-yard kickoff return to tie the score at 7-7.
That would be the only touchdown of the night for Georgia Tech, as the Buffaloes defense turned up the oppresive heat, holding the Yellow Jackets to just a pair of field goals the rest of the contest.
With 7:38 in the half, the home team was pinned by a Damon Greaves punt to its own four yard line and 10 plays later had reached the Colorado four. CU's defense stiffened, however, forcing Georgia Tech to settle for a 22-yard Birr field goal to take a 10-7 lead into the half.
It would remain a 10-7 game until the fourth-quarter, when again the Yellow Jackets orchestrated a long drive deep into the Colorado red zone only to have to settle for a field goal. After securing a first down on the CU 13, Tech was again stymied by the Buffs defense, as Birr hit a 29 yard field goal to extend the Georgia Tech advantage to 13-7 with just 1:42 to go in the game.
Colorado started the next drive on its own 25 and marched quickly down the field, thanks in part to a huge 16-yard reception from Joseph Willams on third-and-11 to put the Buffaloes on their own 41 with just 69 seconds to play. After Williams hauled in another Lewis pass for seven more yards, DeKalon Taylor broke loose for a 16 yard scamper to give the Buffs first-and-10 from the Tech 20.
On the next play, Lewis flipped a pass to Williams on the left side and the tight end did the rest, powering into the end zone to give CU a 14-13 lead with just 42 ticks on the clock.
Forty-two seconds turned out to be plenty for the home team, who gashed the CU defense on the first play from scrimmage when quarterback Alberto Mendoza connected with wide receiver Dalen Penson for 42 yards to the CU 33. After working their way to the CU 27, Birr lined up for a 45-yard walk-off field goal, but Carter streaked in from the left side to block the kick and seal the heart-stopping victory for the Buffaloes.
Up Next:
Colorado will take to Folsom Field for its home opener against Weber State on Saturday Sept. 12 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets to see the Buffaloes' home opener are available now.
Colorado trailed 13-7 with under two minutes left when quarterback Julian Lewis led the Buffaloes on an 8-play, 75-yard drive capped off by a 20-yard touchdown throw to Charlie Williams.
Georgia Tech quickly got back into position for a potential game-winning 45-yard field goal, but Aidan Birr's attempt was blocked by Carter to clinch the win.
"I never flinched, man," head coach Deion 'Coach Prime' Sanders said. "I told several people on the sideline we're going to make it very, very interesting, but we're going to win this game. That's just the faith I have in these young men and the coaching staff"
Junior defensive lineman Lamont Lester Jr. put on an impressive defensive performance in his Buffaloes debut, boasting three sacks across the first three quarters. It is the most sacks by a CU player in their debut as a Buff since 2003, and the first time since 2020. The dominant CU defense held Georgia Tech to just 5 of 13 on third down conversions and caused three fumbles.
The Buffaloes' offense put their rushing ability on display with 183 rushing yards, the second most under coach Prime, led by running backs Damian Henderson II and Micah Welch, who had 65 and 58 rushing yards, respectively.
How It Happened:
On a sweltering, steamy evening in Atlanta, it quickly became clear that the contest would be a defensive war of attrition. After a scoreless first quarter, the Buffs were the first to get on the scoreboard early in the second quarter when CU received a short punt to take over at the Yellow Jackets' 35 and proceeded to give the ball to Welch four straight times before the tailback hit pay dirt from five yards out to put Colorado on top 7-0.
The advantage was short-lived as on the ensuing kickoff, a mere 14 seconds later, Rahkeen Smith raced the length of the field for a 100-yard kickoff return to tie the score at 7-7.
That would be the only touchdown of the night for Georgia Tech, as the Buffaloes defense turned up the oppresive heat, holding the Yellow Jackets to just a pair of field goals the rest of the contest.
With 7:38 in the half, the home team was pinned by a Damon Greaves punt to its own four yard line and 10 plays later had reached the Colorado four. CU's defense stiffened, however, forcing Georgia Tech to settle for a 22-yard Birr field goal to take a 10-7 lead into the half.
It would remain a 10-7 game until the fourth-quarter, when again the Yellow Jackets orchestrated a long drive deep into the Colorado red zone only to have to settle for a field goal. After securing a first down on the CU 13, Tech was again stymied by the Buffs defense, as Birr hit a 29 yard field goal to extend the Georgia Tech advantage to 13-7 with just 1:42 to go in the game.
Colorado started the next drive on its own 25 and marched quickly down the field, thanks in part to a huge 16-yard reception from Joseph Willams on third-and-11 to put the Buffaloes on their own 41 with just 69 seconds to play. After Williams hauled in another Lewis pass for seven more yards, DeKalon Taylor broke loose for a 16 yard scamper to give the Buffs first-and-10 from the Tech 20.
On the next play, Lewis flipped a pass to Williams on the left side and the tight end did the rest, powering into the end zone to give CU a 14-13 lead with just 42 ticks on the clock.
Forty-two seconds turned out to be plenty for the home team, who gashed the CU defense on the first play from scrimmage when quarterback Alberto Mendoza connected with wide receiver Dalen Penson for 42 yards to the CU 33. After working their way to the CU 27, Birr lined up for a 45-yard walk-off field goal, but Carter streaked in from the left side to block the kick and seal the heart-stopping victory for the Buffaloes.
Up Next:
Colorado will take to Folsom Field for its home opener against Weber State on Saturday Sept. 12 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets to see the Buffaloes' home opener are available now.
Players Mentioned
DB
/ Football
P
/ Football
RB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
QB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
TE
/ FootballTeam Stats
CU
GT
Total Yards
307
288
Pass Yards
124
237
Rushing Yards
183
51
Penalty Yards
60
49
1st Downs
21
17
3rd Downs
7
5
4th Downs
2
0
TOP
34:09
25:51
2nd Quarter
CU 7, GT 0
CU - Welch,Micah 5 yd run (Gerlach,Daniel kick), 5 plays, 35 yards, TOP 01:45
CU 7, GT 7
GT - Smith,Rahkeem 100 yd kickoff return (Birr,Aidan kick)
CU 7, GT 10
GT - Birr,Aidan 22 yd field goal 12 plays, 92 yards, TOP 05:35
4th Quarter
CU 7, GT 13
GT - Birr,Aidan 29 yd field goal 13 plays, 68 yards, TOP 05:55
CU 14, GT 13
CU - Williams,Charlie 20 yd pass from Lewis,Julian (Gerlach,Daniel kick) 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:03
Game Leaders
CMP
14
TD
1
YDS
124
INT
0
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