Shedeur Sanders buzzer-beater Hail Mary pushes Buffs to OT win

Sep 21, 2024, 9:53 PM | Updated: 10:22 pm

Denver Sports Analyst

BOULDER—The Colorado Buffaloes needed an actual miracle on Saturday night with the Baylor Bears having a win probability over 99% according to ESPN.

What Folsom Field saw—magic out of Shedeur Sanders ‘s arm. The star quarterback of the Buffs connected on a 43-yard Hail Mary touchdown to LeJonty Wester as time expired—sending the game to overtime with the score even at 31. The Buffs won it in overtime 38-31. Travis Hunter forced a clutch fumble to end the game with the Bears looking to tie it.

TRAVIS HUNTER FORCES THE FUMBLE FOR THE COLORADO WIN 😤🔥@CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/9HIumwyqCl

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 22, 2024

How the Buffs even got there was crazy, as an earlier in the fourth quarter fourth down try required a Colorado timeout. The Buffaloes didn’t get it. Baylor would soon score a touchdown on the short field for their first points of the half and to take a lead.

On the ensuing CU drive, Sanders was sacked twice for 21 yards and the Buffs punted from their own end zone. The failed late drive set up Baylor with a short field after a third great return of the game. But Colorado’s defense again came through—pushing the Bears back and they were forced to kick a field goal for insurance which they missed. That would haunt as the Buffaloes took over on their own 35-yard line needing Sanders to take the punishment in order to move the ball—he did.

First getting some help with Travis Hunter getting interfered with then with some luck—as a teammate recovering his strip sack. And as the time ticked and Colorado had just one timeout—Sanders had to scramble for 18 yards eventually setting up Colorado with first and 10, no timeouts and on Baylor’s 43. Two incompletions, including a Will Sheppard drop set the Buffaloes up for needing 43 yards in two seconds.

A call was answered by Sanders and LaJohntay Wester.

ARE YOU SERIOUS?!

COLORADO WITH A TOUCHDOWN IN THE FINAL SECONDS 🤯😱@CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/8niJ6NPK8t

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 22, 2024

This pass by Shedeur Sanders and the catch by Lajohntay Wester in the final seconds of regulation was wild 🤯🤯@CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/tKuuBmO1pv

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 22, 2024

Colorado went 25 yards in seven plays to take the lead in overtime with five rushes to punch it in for a lead. And then the defense held.