Colorado’s defense did more than help deliver a dramatic season-opening victory at Georgia Tech. It also dominated the Big 12’s first Monster Energy weekly awards of the 2026 season.
The conference named defensive lineman Lamont Lester Jr. a co-Defensive Player of the Week and defensive back Boo Carter a co-Special Teams Player of the Week. Colorado was also selected as the Big 12 Defensive Line of the Week following its 14–13 victory in Atlanta.
The three honors reflected the defense’s central role in a game Deion Sanders' squad won with a go-ahead touchdown in the final minute and a blocked field goal as time expired.
Lamont Lester Jr. delivers dominant Colorado debut
Lester made an immediate impact in his first game with the Buffaloes, recording three sacks for 22 yards in losses despite playing only 12 passing snaps.
Each of his three sacks ended a Georgia Tech possession by forcing a punt. Lester also shared a tackle for loss on a third-down stop during the fourth quarter.
The Monmouth transfer shared Defensive Player of the Week honors with Iowa State defensive end Isaac Terrell, who also recorded three sacks in his debut.
Lester’s production was the centerpiece of an impressive performance by Coach Prime's defensive front. The Buffaloes held Georgia Tech to 51 rushing yards on 30 carries after the Yellow Jackets averaged 197.5 rushing yards per game last season.
Colorado also generated 11 quarterback pressures and three sacks while preventing Georgia Tech’s offense from reaching the end zone. The Yellow Jackets’ only touchdown came on a kickoff return.
Those numbers also earned Colorado the conference’s Defensive Line of the Week award.
Boo Carter finishes the job
Carter’s game-saving field-goal block provided the defining moment of Colorado’s victory.
Georgia Tech moved into position to attempt a potential winning field goal after Colorado took a 14–13 lead with 42 seconds remaining. Carter broke through the protection and blocked the kick as time expired, preserving the Buffaloes’ one-point win.
“We practiced on it,” Carter said. “My coach gave me a little method on how to perfect jump it.”
Carter said he had gotten close to blocking an earlier kick but did not fully extend himself.
“I just had to dive for this one,” Carter said. “Perfect time.”
His impact extended beyond the final play. Carter recovered a fumble deep in Georgia Tech territory during the first quarter and made two key tackles on the Yellow Jackets’ opening possession.
Carter shared Special Teams Player of the Week honors with BYU defensive back Cannon DeVries, who returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and totaled 73 yards on two punt returns against Utah Tech.
Colorado’s three conference awards reinforced how complete the defensive performance was. Lester consistently ended drives, Carter delivered two momentum-changing plays and the defensive front neutralized what had been one of the ACC’s most productive rushing attacks.
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