A chaotic scene erupted on the field after Colorado shocked Baylor with a dramatic overtime win Saturday night in Boulder. The Buffaloes pulled off a Hail Mary pass as time expired in regulation and then halted the Bears just inches short of a game-tying touchdown in overtime, securing a 38-31 victory in their return to the Big 12.
Colorado fans stormed the field when the initial call was a fumble that went out of the back of the end zone. However, officials were reviewing the play as security worked to move spectators back to the stands. Pandemonium erupted again when the play was upheld, signaling an end to the game, but amid the chaos on the field, Colorado coach Deion Sanders was unable to meet Baylor coach Dave Aranda for a handshake.
"I want to apologize to our opposition (Baylor) the way we stormed the field," Sanders said after the game. "I didn't get an opportunity to go and shake the head coach's hand, but I did try to go over to the locker room and wait it out until he came out, but I don't think they got the word to him because that's not professional. I wanted to shake his hand and acknowledge."
The Buffaloes trailed by two touchdowns in the second quarter before rallying in their first Big 12 game since 2010. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders connected with receiver LaJonhtay Wester for a 43-yard Hail Mary touchdown on the final play of regulation. After Colorado scored on its overtime possession, Baylor needed a touchdown. Dominic Richardson approached the goal line, but a Travis Hunter forced fumble knocked the ball free before rolling out of the back of the end zone.
"I don't like what transpired after the game, but I love what transpired at the end of the game," Deion Sanders said. "We have a fan base that's phenomenal. We have some young kids on this campus that loves and breathes CU football. And I'm thankful. I walk to campus every day and they give us so much love and respect and honor."
Colorado improved to 3-1 on the season, matching its win total from 2023 and moving halfway to bowl eligibility for the first time since the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign.
The 14-point comeback was the largest of Sanders' career as a head coach.
"I don't like how it played out, but I love the results," Deion Sanders said. "I think we're so much better than what we're showing you at times. We keep showing you glimpses of running game, we're showing you glimpses of us playing hard-nosed, tough football defensively. We've shown you we can throw the football all around and then we just stall for a series or two and surrender something foolishly. But, I'm pleased and thankful. One step closer to getting Miss Peggy to a bowl game. So I'm really proud of that."
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Colorado travels to UCF next Saturday.
