What did we just witness during Colorado football's 38-31 OT win over Baylor? The greatest game of all time? Maybe. But we undoubtedly witnessed several miracles that gifted the Buffs their third win of the season.
Baylor struck first in the opening frame on a 32-yard field goal after the Buffs defense held the Bears in the red zone. In the following possession, Baylor's defense was called for pass interference near the end zone, and the Buffs made them pay as Sanders scampered through the Baylor defensive line for a short two-yard touchdown run.
After both teams exchanged field goals, the Bears struck paydirt again in the second quarter with a thunderous 100-yard kickoff touchdown run by Jamaal Bell, giving Baylor the lead. The Bears doubled their lead with under five minutes remaining in the half on a fourth-down touchdown run by Sawyer Robertson.
Sanders and the Buffs offense orchestrated a 78-yard drive before halftime, cultivated on a miraculous touchdown by Omarion Miller, closing the deficit to a touchdown heading to the half.
Colorado football overcame adversity in legendary fashion
Early in the second half, the Buffs' defense flexed their might again as they made crucial plays, starting with the fourth-down stop on their territory.
After exchanging punts, the Buffs broke through and tied the game with Travis Hunter leading the way with two monstrous catches on the drive, leading to a Micah Welch touchdown run.
As the fourth quarter began, the Buffs' miscues began to take a toll. The first one was the decision to go on fourth down inside the Baylor 35, which was unsuccessful. On the next possession, Baylor produced their only sustainable scoring drive in the half with 5:43 left in regulation, ending on a touchdown and giving the Bears a significant lead.
After Baylor stuffed Sanders and the Buffs offensive line deep in the Buffs territory, the Bears looked to secure the win with the field goal on a short field.
Cue the football gods. The Bears missed the potential game-clinching field goal, allowing the Buffs to pull a miracle paralleled to the “Miracle in Michigan” from almost 30 years ago to the week (September 24, 1994).
The miracle drive began on their 25-yard line with over two minutes left. Colorado marched down to the Baylor 45 with eight seconds to spare, and Sanders rifled the football down right to the diving hands of LeJohntay Wester in the end zone. Alejandro Mata converted on the extra point to send this epic contest to overtime.
In overtime, the Buffs offense capitalized their opportunity with Micha Welch’s second touchdown of the game (with assistance from Shedeur, of course). Baylor looked to tie the game to force a second overtime, but Travis Hunter unleashed his inner Gandalf and made the biggest play of the season, knocking the ball loose off Domenic Robertson at the goal line to secure the critical win for the Buffs.
The Buffs improved to 3-1 with the win. They return to play on the road against UCF on the road in Week 5.