Colorado stuns Georgia Tech: Buffaloes block walk-off FG attempt to secure season-opening victory

Colorado ranked 104th nationally in rushing offense last season and dead last (133rd) in 2024 during a 9-4 season. If Thursday night was any indication, this year's squad will be drastically different. Three different backs totaled 10 or more carries, and each of them ran the ball successfully behind an offensive line that rarely failed to generate a push. Micah Welch was the starter and finished with 58 yards on 13 carries. Damian Henderson II, who followed Marion from Sacramento State, totaled 65 yards on 12 carries.

During a 17-play drive spanning the end of the third and beginning of the fourth quarters, the Buffs ran the ball 16 times. Georgia Tech knew what was coming and couldn't stop it. In the end, quarterback Julian Lewis made a clutch go-ahead touchdown pass in the final minute. But the story of the night for Colorado's offense was its running game.

Colorado's passing game needs to get in rhythm, and Sanders may want to rethink his decision not to have a dedicated special teams coordinator after allowing a 100-yard kickoff return. But from a physicality standpoint, this appears to be the strongest team of Sanders' four seasons at Colorado. The Buffaloes were the more physical team on both lines of scrimmage, which showed up in their decided rushing edge (183-51), three sacks and eight tackles for loss. Unlike the 2024 Colorado team that finished 9-4 behind a high-octane passing game and the two-way dominance of Heisman winner Travis Hunter, these Buffs are not finesse. Colorado was also more disciplined on Thursday, getting flagged just six times after being one of the most penalty-prone teams in the nation last season.

Georgia Tech kicker Aidan Birr finished as one of three finalists for the Lou Groza Award last season, signifying his status as one of college football's top kickers. But he missed a 35-yarder in the first half. Then, on the game's final play, the Yellow Jackets' kicking unit allowed Carter to break around the right side and knock down Birr's game-winning attempt before it could ever take flight. In a game decided by one point, those two botched field goal opportunities will haunt a Georgia Tech team that has been strong on special teams under coach Brent Key.

Making his first career start, Indiana transfer quarterback Alberto Mendoza played well for the Yellow Jackets. He completed 17 of 23 passes for 237 yards, including a pivotal 42-yard strike to Dalen Penson with under a minute remaining that positioned Georgia Tech to try for a game-winning field goal. But it was not a good night for the Jackets' offensive line. After allowing just nine sacks all of last season while protecting mobile quarterback Haynes King, Georgia Tech surrendered three sacks against Colorado. Furthermore, the Yellow Jackets' run game shriveled up after a strong opening series from Michigan transfer Justice Haynes. Even with sack yardage factored out, Georgia Tech totaled just 73 yards on 27 carries as Colorado piled up eight tackles for loss.

Final: Colorado 14, Georgia Tech 13

Deion Sanders' fourth season at Colorado started with a bang on Thursday night when Colorado escaped with a thrilling 14-13 road win over Georgia Tech that was highlighted by a wild finishing sequence. Boo Carter blocked a game-winning 45-yard field goal attempt from Yellow Jackets kicker Aidan Birr on the game's final play, sending a hush through a sellout crowd at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta.

Colorado scored a go-ahead touchdown with 37 seconds left when quarterback Julian Lewis hit tight end Charlie Williams for a 20-yard score. The connection between Lewis and Williams ended a nearly three quarter scoring drought for the Buffaloes, who dominated Georgia Tech on the ground but struggled to convert that dominance into points. 

In their first game under offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, Colorado outgained Georgia Tech 183-51 on the ground. But lackluster special teams play and some unforced errors put the Buffaloes in a hole. Georgia Tech's only touchdown of the night came on a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown from Rahkeem Smith early in the second quarter. The Buffaloes also had a potential go-ahead field goal attempt blocked in the fourth quarter.

But the game-ending blocked kick made up for a night of lackluster special teams from the Buffaloes, who avenged last year's 27-20 season-opening loss against the Yellow Jackets. 

2:00 4Q: Georgia Tech 10, Colorado 7

With Georgia Tech attempting to keep the chains moving while nursing a 10-7 lead late in the fourth quarter, first-time starter Alberto Mendoza has made a couple of great third down throws. His numbers aren't going to jump off the page, but the Georgia Tech starter has looked poised and capable even while dealing with some uneven pass protection.

Colorado ran the ball down Georgia Tech's throat, eating up the end of the third quarter and nearly half the fourth with 15 running plays on a series that totaled 66 yards and nearly 10 minutes. But in the end, a botched snap put the Buffaloes in a third-and-long, and Deion Sanders had to turn to his field goal unit. Daniel Gerlach's 37-yard attempt was blocked, leaving Georgia Tech ahead 10-7. What a demoralizing sequence for Colorado.

New Colorado offensive coordinator Brennan Marion is leaning hard on the interior run game to sustain the Buffaloes. Three different backs have carried it at least 10 times, and Georgia Tech is struggling to contain the surge. The Buffs have struggled in the passing game tonight, but the running game is keeping them in it.

End 3Q: Georgia Tech 10, Colorado 7

Which offense is going to get a home run play that alters the complexion of this game? As we head to the fourth quarter, that's the question. Colorado and Georgia Tech are a combined 6 of 20 on third downs and have combined for fewer than 400 total yards through three quarters. Of the two touchdowns scored, one of them came on special teams. Classic example of offenses with inexperienced quarterbacks and new coordinators being out of sync in Week 1.

Georgia Tech coach Brent Key is an offensive line guy, and he's not going to be thrilled with the group's effort tonight. Colorado just picked up its third sack of the game, putting GT squarely out of field goal range and putting an end to another Georgia Tech drive. The Yellow Jackets allowed just nine sacks all of last season.

A once-promising Colorado possession just stalled out when Georgia Tech sniffed out an underneath crossing route to DeAndre Moore on third-and-9. Savion Riley was there to bring Moore down for no gain, forcing a Colorado punt that trickled into the end zone for a touchback. Both teams moved the football on their opening possessions of the third quarter but neither came away with anything to show for it.

Colorado is on the move into Georgia Tech territory after Julian Lewis hit DeAndre Moore for a nice pickup on third-and-7. The Texas transfer has been targeted seven times by Lewis so far in this game.

Making his third career start, Colorado sophomore Julian Lewis struggled to find a rhythm in the first half, completing 6 of 14 passes for 41 yards. After starting 3 for 3, Lewis completed just 3 of 11 passes for the remainder of the first half. On the other side, Indiana transfer Alberto Mendoza looked solid for Georgia Tech. He competed 8 of 12 passes for 105 yards in the first half of his first career start. In a somewhat surprising twist, Colorado actually ran the football better than Georgia Tech.

Half: Georgia Tech 10, Colorado 7

Georgia Tech rattled off 10 unanswered points in the form of a 100+ yard kickoff return from Rahkeem Smith and a 22-yard field goal from Aidan Burr entering halftime. And Colorado is fortunate not to be trailing by more. 
-- The Yellow Jackets stalled out in a 2-minute drill situation after getting the ball in decent field position. -- Earlier in the half, the officials ruled a Buffs ball-carrier down on a potential GT scoop-and-score.
-- The typically reliable Burr also missed a 35-yarder in the first quarter. All told, the Buffs should feel fortunate to be down just 10-7.

Of note: Georgia Tech QB Alberto Mendoza was spotted limping off the field after taking a sack on a third-and-long during the final 30 seconds of the first half.

Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis just dropped the football after dropping back on a third-and-4 play. There was some rain in the area before the game, and it's a humid night in Atlanta. But it ultimately led to a 15-yard loss as he had no choice but to just take a sack after the miscue. Colorado was forced to punt, and Georgia Tech gets the football in good field position late in the second quarter. The Jackets have a chance to make a mark in the "middle eight" as GT also get the football to start the third quarter.

Georgia Tech 10, Colorado 7

Faced with a fourth-and-goal at the 4-yard line, Brent Key opted to play it safe. He let Aidan Burr get some redemption for his early 35-yard miss with a chip shot that put the Yellow Jackets ahead 10-7. Alberto Mendoza completed 5 of 7 passes on that drive and appeared to get into a rhythm after Colorado stifled the Yellow Jackets' run game on Georgia Tech's prior possession. All told, Mendoza has been solid through the first half of his first career start.

12:52 2Q: Colorado 7, Georgia Tech 7

Rahkeem Smith just took a kickoff 105 yards to the house to even this game up. The 5th-year wide receiver played in just one game for the Yellow Jackets last season after transferring in from Bowling Green. But he was a return specialist during his time with the Falcons and flashed some elite speed on that runback as he broke it down the left sideline. Rare to see a returner run one back from five yards deep in the end zone. But Smith is obviously back there for a reason, and he found daylight.

13:06 2Q: Colorado 7, Georgia Tech 0

Micah Welch just went off for Colorado to score the first points of this game. He carried the rock on four consecutive plays, beginning with gains of 11 and 15 yards. Then came a 4-yard pickup and, finally, a 5-yard misdirection touchdown scamper around the left side. He's up to 44 yards on the ground. The Buffs are also giving carries to Damian Henderson II and DeKalon Taylor. But Welch got the start, and he's been the workhorse so far.

End 1Q: Colorado 0, Georgia Tech 0

Colorado's run defense looked shaky on Georgia Tech's first series. But the Buffs stepped up on the Yellow Jackets' final two possessions of the first quarter. First, they capitalized on a Georgia Tech miscue fumble for their first takeaway of the season. Just now, the Buffs forced a three-and-out by bottling up Justice Haynes, who had found success running the football on Georgia Tech's first series. The story of the first quarter was a wild sequence (see below) that resulted in Deion Sanders opting to go for it on fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line. Georgia Tech made a stand to send us into the second quarter scoreless.

Georgia Tech's second possession began with a fumbled exchange between Alberto Mendoza and receiver Jordan Allen, who was poised to carry the football on an end-around. That set up Colorado at GT's 26-yard line. Three plays into the drive, Colorado's Damian Henderson II appeared to fumble while caught up in a scrum. A Yellow Jackets defender emerged with the football and ran it all the way back. But it was deemed the whistle was blown before the ball came out, and Colorado retained possession.

In the end, Georgia Tech dodged any harm by stopping Colorado on a fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line. Kyle Efford slung DeKalon Taylor to the turf at the 1-yard line. A lot has happened in the first quarter of this game, but the score remains 0-0.

JuJu Lewis took a couple of deep shots on Colorado's second possession with no success. The second one came on a third-and-3 and was intended for Texas transfer DeAndre Moore. It was an RPO, and Lewis had Moore in single coverage, but it looked like there was a miscommunication on the route. Early kinks being worked out on the road with a young QB, new receivers and a new OC in Brennan Marion.

Aidan Birr was a finalist for the Lou Groza Award last season, but his first attempt of the 2026 season sailed wide right from 35 yards. That ended a once-promising opening drive for Georgia Tech. Former Alabama and Michigan running back Justice Haynes — a top-40 prospect in the Class of 2023 — is a product of powerhouse Buford High in the Atlanta suburbs. His first drive back home as a Yellow Jacket went well as he totaled 26 yards on five carries.

After a couple of quick first downs, Colorado stalled out at its own 40-yard line when JuJu Lewis threw slightly behind Joseph Williams over the middle. He completed his first three passes of the drive before that misfire. Damon Greaves nearly had his punt blocked — it netted just 21 yards — and Georgia Tech takes over at its own 40.

Colorado will get the football first inside what appears to be a hostile environment at Bobby-Dodd Stadium. Buffaloes start inside their own 20 after an underwhelming kick return. This is the Yellow Jackets' third consecutive sellout and the first of two big home games to start the season as Tennessee will be in town next week.

Deion Sanders is an Atlanta sports legend, but he will try to break some hearts in the city this weekend as he leads Colorado into a tough non-conference matchup against Georgia Tech. After losing their offensive coordinator and projected starting quarterback to Florida, the Yellow Jackets will have a revamped offense.

The Buffaloes will try to wash the taste of a 3-9 season out of their mouths, and kicking off the 2026 season with a road win over a Power Four opponent would be a good start in that respect. If Colorado gets off to another slow start, the pressure will mount on Sanders.

Colorado vs. Georgia Tech prediction, pick, odds, spread: Buffaloes visit Atlanta for key non-conference game

Austin Nivison

There was a pregame lightning delay that interrupted warmups in Atlanta. As a result, kickoff is now set for approximately 6:20, according to Pat Rooney of the Boulder Daily Camera. It's expected to be a hot and humid night, but a glimpse at the radar doesn't reveal much to be overly concerned about. Just few scattered/small cells within the metropolitan area.

After a 3-9 2025, Colorado was mostly just a bad football team. Sanders admitted he didn't have "it," and neither did his players without Shedeur Sanders, Hunter or the bevy of offensive weapons Colorado enjoyed during the first two years of Deion's run. Now the Buffs are trying to turn the page, get back in contention for a bowl and climb out of the bottom of the Big 12.

Colorado has been a lot of things under Deion Sanders -- now it has to be good at football

Richard Johnson

This is going to be a fun Thursday night game. We should find out a lot about both teams by the time the clock hits zero. Georgia Tech enters as a seven-point favorite, but all the unknowns on both sides make me skittish when it comes to picking against the spread. That said, I'll turn my attention to the over/under of 50.5 points. Conventional thinking says the defenses have an early edge because offenses are still trying to click, but I don't really trust either defense in this matchup. Maybe both are improved under new coordinators, but I'll need to see it before I buy that. Georgia Tech and Colorado have exciting pieces on offense, and I think they will be able to move the ball on one another. The pick: Over 50.5

This isn't a top-25 matchup, and it may not have major national implications, but it is massive for each team. If the Buffaloes suffer another loss and Lewis struggles, they may be in for another long year. A Georgia Tech loss opens the door for a 0-2 start with Tennessee coming to town in Week 2. That wouldn't be a death knell for the Yellow Jackets, but it would be a bad look after ending the 2025 campaign on a 1-4 skid.

Lewis was a highly-touted prospect coming out of high school, but he underwhelmed in limited action as a freshman last fall. There is hope that he can blossom as a sophomore under the guidance of offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, the architect of the Go-Go offense. The question for Georgia Tech is whether Alberto Mendoza can replicate the success of his brother -- although that's probably setting the bar unfairly high. Mendoza won't run as much as Haynes King did last year, but he won't need to with a talented stable of running backs behind him.