Colorado isn’t finished yet. Not after Friday night’s stunning performance against No. 14 Houston, and certainly not after Deion Sanders watched his Buffaloes deliver the kind of complete effort he’s been waiting to see all season.
The Buffs overcame a 20-7 deficit to defeat Houston 42-32 at Folsom Field, improving to 4-6 and keeping their hopes of reaching a postseason bowl game alive. The victory over a nationally ranked opponent provided one of the biggest moments of Colorado’s season, and the celebration afterward reflected just how much the win meant to the program.
Students stormed the field, surrounding the players as Sanders watched another memorable night unfold in Boulder.
“I’m proud of them, man. I'm happy because kids love kids,” Sanders said. “This fan base is unbelievable.”
The victory was particularly impressive considering how the Buffaloes won. Colorado rushed for 249 yards and five touchdowns while generating 466 yards of total offense.
Richard Young rushed for 99 yards and two touchdowns, while DeKalon Taylor delivered a spectacular 67-yard scoring run. JaQuail Smith and Kaneal Sweetwyne also contributed rushing touchdowns, giving Colorado four different players who reached the end zone on the ground.
Quarterback Isaac Wilson completed 17 of 25 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown, while Joseph Williams caught five passes for 80 yards and a score.
“We’ve been capable of this all season long, but we just hadn’t put it together,” Sanders said. “So, I’m really proud of the young men that they put it together as well as the staff.”
Colorado also forced two turnovers, with Boo Carter recording an interception and the defense recovering a Houston fumble.
But while Friday’s victory provided a desperately needed boost, the Buffaloes still have significant work ahead.
Colorado must defeat Cincinnati on the road, in a very difficult environment, next Saturday before returning home to face UCF on the following. Winning both games would give Sanders his second bowl-eligible season in four years at Colorado.
Neither game is guaranteed, especially for a Colorado team that has struggled with consistency throughout the season. However, the offensive balance and explosiveness displayed against Houston offer legitimate reasons for optimism.
Sanders, meanwhile, wasn’t particularly interested in discussing the significance of beating a nationally ranked opponent.
“We want to win period,” Sanders said. “I don’t think I spend one minute saying this is a top five team. This is a top this team. I really don’t care about that.”
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