Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes secured their first Big 12 win of the season, defeating the Kansas State Wildcats 27-24 in overtime at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado. The victory snapped a five-game losing streak for the Buffaloes, moving them to 3-5 overall and 1-4 in conference play.
Colorado Rushes for 222 Yards to Build Lead
Colorado relied heavily on an effective rushing attack to build its advantage. The Buffaloes rushed for 222 yards, marking their highest total in a single game in the Deion Sanders era (since 2021). Alabama transfer Richard Young paced the ground game with 120 yards and two touchdowns, his first scores as a Buff. JaQuail Smith added a 47-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter.
CHARLIE WILLIAMS WINS IT IN OT FOR COLORADO 🦬🔥 pic.twitter.com/ooN6FT3FYT
Despite the offensive output, mistakes nearly cost the Buffaloes the game. In the second quarter, DeKalon Taylor broke free for a 30-yard run but was stripped of the ball at the goal line by Kansas State cornerback Kaleb Patterson. The fumble rolled into the end zone for a touchback. Kansas State quickly capitalized on the turnover by driving 80 yards before Blake Barnett connected with wide receiver Josh Manning for a 28-yard touchdown pass to tie the score at 7-7 before halftime.
Wildcats Score Late Touchdown to Force Overtime
Colorado restored its lead in the final period when Young scored on a 22-yard run with 12:27 remaining in regulation, pushing the score to 21-14. The Buffaloes held the ball late in the fourth quarter but failed to pick up a game-clinching first down, forcing a punt.
With under a minute left, Barnett engineered a swift scoring drive for the Wildcats, throwing a jump pass to tight end Garrett Oakley with two seconds remaining to tie the game at 21-21. Kansas State head coach Collin Klein initially lined up to go for a two-point conversion for the win, but ultimately settled for the standard extra point to send the contest into overtime.
In the extra session, Kansas State opened with a field goal. Colorado responded when quarterback Isaac Wilson connected with Charlie Williams on an 11-yard touchdown pass on third-and-9 to seal the 27-24 win.
“Our kids, they’ve never stopped believing. I’m just so darn proud of these young men right now,” Sanders said after the game.
Buffaloes Record Five Sacks to Secure Win
Colorado’s defense pressured the Kansas State offense throughout the afternoon, recording five sacks. Linebacker Gideon Lampron led the effort with 15 total tackles, eight solo tackles, four tackles for loss, and two sacks, while defensive end Yamil Talib also added two sacks. In overtime, cornerbacks Cree Thomas and Boo Carter recorded back-to-back pass breakups to hold Kansas State to a field goal.
With the win, Colorado shares a 1-4 conference record with Kansas State, which fell to 4-4 overall and has lost two games in a row. Colorado travels to face Arizona State next Saturday, while Kansas State prepares to host Oklahoma State.
