Lewis TD Pass, Blocked FG Lift Colorado Past Georgia Tech 14-13

Colorado escaped Atlanta on Thursday night with a 14-13 victory over Georgia Tech, rallying from a six-point deficit in the final two minutes on a touchdown pass from freshman quarterback Julian Lewis and a game-ending blocked field goal by defensive back Boo Carter.

With the Buffaloes trailing and the clock winding down, Lewis drove Colorado down the field and connected with tight end Charlie Williams on a 20-yard touchdown strike with 42 seconds remaining. Georgia Tech responded quickly, as quarterback Alberto Mendoza hit receiver Dalen Penson for a 42-yard gain to push the Yellow Jackets into field goal range. But Carter blocked the ensuing 45-yard attempt in the closing seconds, preserving the win for coach Deion Sanders and lifting Colorado to 1-0 in what figures to be a pivotal season after the program went 3-9 a year ago.

Ground Game Sets the Stage

Colorado's rushing attack was a significant factor throughout the contest. The Buffaloes posted 183 rushing yards — their most in a game since totaling 193 against Wyoming on September 20, 2025. Four backs contributed meaningfully: Damian Henderson II led the group with 65 yards on 12 carries, while Micah Welch added 58 yards on 13 carries and scored Colorado's first touchdown. JaQuail Smith chipped in 42 yards on 10 carries, and DeKalon Taylor added 22 yards on four attempts, including a 16-yard run in the fourth quarter that set up the game-winning score. Thursday's game also marked the debut of offensive coordinator Brennan Marion's high-tempo, two-running-back 'Go-Go' offense, which emphasizes a physical downhill ground game.

We know we're big up front. We know we can be physical. We know these guys can move bodies. So that's what we went with.

— Deion Sanders, Colorado head coach

The win did not come without turbulence. Colorado allowed a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and had a field goal of its own blocked in the fourth quarter before Lewis and the offense mounted the decisive drive. Georgia Tech had entered the opener as the favorite and held the lead late, but the Yellow Jackets were unable to convert when it mattered most.

Sanders credited his coaching staff for keeping the sideline composed during the chaotic closing sequence. 'There was no panic on the headsets. There was no yelling and screaming. There was no panic. They rock steady all the way through,' he said. Colorado will face Northwestern next on the road in Evanston, Illinois.