Colorado beats Kansas State 27-24 in overtime

Ground Game Sparked by JaQuail Smith and Richard Young

Offensively, Colorado found life through a dynamic rushing attack. Running back JaQuail Smith delivered one of the afternoon’s most explosive moments in the third quarter, breaking through the Kansas State defense for a 47-yard touchdown. That score gave the Buffaloes a 14-7 lead and proved they had multiple backfield options capable of changing the momentum of a game.

Richard Young also anchored the offensive effort, opening the scoring with a two-yard touchdown run in the first quarter—his first trip to the end zone as a Buffalo. Earlier in that same drive, Young gained 22 yards to push the offense into scoring position, taking critical pressure off quarterback Isaac Wilson and helping establish a balanced offensive attack.

Gideon Lampron Leads Defensive Effort Despite Costly Mistakes

On the other side of the ball, the Colorado defense tightened up when it mattered most. Linebacker Gideon Lampron led the defensive charge with nine tackles, including a sack, consistently putting pressure on the Wildcats and limiting their ability to sustain drives. Lampron entered the game as Colorado’s leading tackler with 65 stops on the season.

Despite the defensive improvements, mistakes threatened to derail the afternoon. In the second quarter, running back DeKalon Taylor broke loose for a 30-yard run down to the Kansas State one-yard line, but lost control of the football before reaching the end zone. The fumble rolled through the back of the end zone, resulting in a touchback and handing possession back to the Wildcats.

Even with that costly turnover, the game ultimately came down to the final moments of overtime. Wilson delivered a clean pass to tight end Charlie Williams for an 11-yard game-winning touchdown, making the final score 27-24 and lifting the Buffaloes past Kansas State.

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