CU Buffs finally get first Big 12 win, run wild against Kansas State and survive in OT

The CU Buffs finally have a Big 12 win during the 2026 season.

But it didn’t come without drama, as per usual in the Coach Prime era.

Colorado topped Kansas State 27-24 on Saturday afternoon in overtime and did it in large part thanks to the running game. Deion Sanders now has his team at 3-5 and 1-4 in conference play.

It looked like CU was going to win the game 21-14 in regulation, but K-State scored a touchdown in the final seconds to force OT. Initially, the Wildcats lined up to go for a two-point conversion, but changed their minds after a Colorado timeout.

The Buffs defense held Kansas State to a field goal on the first possession of overtime then CU Buffs QB Isaac Wilson hit Charlie Williams for an 11-yard TD pass and the walk-off winner.

Isaac Wilson ball game 🥶@Isaac_kawika x @Charliew_8

🖥️: TNT pic.twitter.com/X3hnwSUlmk

— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) October 31, 2026

But the story of the day was what Colorado managed to do on the ground.

Richard Young had 24 carries for 120 yards and two touchdowns. JaQuail Smith added eights carries for 63 yards and a score and DeKalon Taylor went for 30 yards on his only carry. It was the first time since 2021 that the CU Buffs ran for at least 200 yards, according to the TNT broadcast.

Colorado had a chance to go up 14-0 in the first half, but on that Taylor carry he fumbled the ball and it went out of the end zone for a touchback. Kansas State would tie it 7-7 before halftime.

The game was 14-14 after the third before Young capped off a 10-play, 96-yard TD drive in the fourth quarter.

With less than a minute to go in the game Kansas State got the football back and QB Blake Barnett engineered a six-play, 54-yard drive to tie it up.

Barnett, who’s from Erie, played well in mostly emergency duty with the Wildcats battling injuries at the quarterback position.

It was another wild week for Sanders and the CU Buffs program, but they got a desperately needed victory. Now we’ll see if Colorado can get put together some wins down the stretch and make a bowl game.

Related

CU Buffs QB Julian Lewis transported to hospital, recovering after medical emergencyDeion Sanders takes the blame for Buffs’ skid, but points finger at Julian Lewis for his future‘I really hope you don’t count me out’: Deion Sanders stays defiant as Colorado’s skid hits fourTravis Hunter does something no NFL player had done in 24 yearsDeion Sanders breaks his own rule after Colorado’s near-upset of No. 11 UtahDeion Sanders names Buffs starting QB, says: ‘Throw the ball to the guys on our team’