Colorado won its Big 12 opener on Micah Welch’s 1-yard touchdown run in overtime for a 38-31 victory over Baylor. The Bears appeared to tie the game on the next possession, but Colorado’s Travis Hunter hit Dominic Richardson to force a fumble as the running back attempted to cross the goal line.
The game went into overtime after Baylor took a 31-24 lead with 5:43 left on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Sawyer Robertson to Hal Presley. Colorado then had a chance to score a game-tying touchdown after Isaiah Hankins missed a 45-yard field goal that would have extended Baylor’s lead to 10 points. Will Sheppard ran in a 43-yard touchdown from the 5-yard line.
However, on the next play, with two seconds left, Shedeur Sanders rolled left and managed to catch LaJohntay Wester on a sliding reception in the end zone that tied the score at 31-31. Thirty years after Kordell Stewart hit Michael Westbrook for a 64-yard Hail Mary at Michigan Stadium, Colorado scored on another miracle throw.
The improbable ending grew even more frenzied when Colorado fans stormed the field before the game officially ended, unaware that Richardson’s fumble was under review.
Sanders finished the game with 341 yards and two touchdowns through the air, completing 25 of 41 passes. Hunter had seven receptions for 130 yards. His 31-yard dive late in the third quarter allowed the Buffaloes to tie the score at 24-24 on a 2-yard TD run by Welch. And on defense, he forced the game-winning fumble.
Hunter has 37 receptions for 472 yards and five touchdowns this season. He also has five straight games of 100-plus receiving yards, making him the first Colorado player to accomplish that feat. All this while also playing full-time cornerback.
The Buffaloes scored the game’s first touchdown, capping a 75-yard drive with a 2-yard run by Sanders. But Baylor reached the end zone on three of its next four possessions. First, Monaray Baldwin made a spectacular reception, diving for a 30-yard touchdown.
After a Colorado field goal tied the score at 10-10, the Bears scored on the ensuing kickoff when Jamaal Bell returned the kick 100 yards for a touchdown. After finding a lane at the Baylor 30-yard line, Bell outran every pursuer the rest of the way.
Baylor took a 24-10 lead when Robertson ran up the middle with a QB on fourth-and-1, but he broke free for a 45-yard touchdown run.
Colorado pulled within 24-17 on its final possession of the first half. After a holding penalty on Jordan Seaton pushed the Buffaloes back to their own 25, Sanders completed a 17-yard pass to Jimmy Horn Jr. to reach midfield. On the next play, Sanders evaded a tackle from Steve Linton, who scrambled around the edge before rolling to his right and throwing a pass to Omarion Miller.
Miller appeared to be tackled low, but his knee never touched the ground and he regained his balance to run 35 yards to the end zone, completing a 58-yard touchdown pass. Replay confirmed that Miller’s left knee did not touch the ground and the score stood.
Saturday’s game was the Buffaloes’ first Big 12 game at Folsom Field since 2010. Colorado left the conference to join the Pac-12 the following season, but rejoined the Big 12 this year.
Colorado will travel to UCF (3-0) next Saturday, while Baylor will face BYU. Kickoff times for both games have not yet been announced.
