Buffs win chaotic road thriller at the buzzer to open 2026 season

Just like the CU Buffs did at TCU to start the Coach Prime era four years ago, Thursday night they went on the road and shocked the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in absolute thriller that included a last minute touchdown drive led by redshirt freshman Juju Lewis and a blocked kick at the buzzer to win 14-13.

The Go-Go offense was a hit from the go. Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes ran through Georgia Tech’s defense, but special teams errors and self-inflicted mistakes kept the Yellow Jackets in the game at Bobby Dodd

It was a chaotic start to the year for both teams with bounces going each way and failures following. But the Buffs settled down in the second quarter putting together a quick five-play drive that took advantage of good field position by using four strong runs, capped by a five yard Micah Welch touchdown.

Colorado’s lead lasted seconds, as Rahkeem Smith took the ensuing kickoff back from about five yards deep in his own end zone to go the distance to tie the game at seven.

The Yellow Jackets tacked on a field goal later in the second quarter to make it 10-7 and that ended the scoring for a while.

Colorado had chances, including in the fourth quarter when they lined up for a field goal to tie the game at 10 — but an unblocked defender swatted the kick. Including this error and the touchdown, there were other critical mistakes. In the game, CU shanked a punt, had poor field position on another kick they should’ve downed and had two bad snaps in scoring territory.

The Buffaloes also utilized a fumble to get into Tech scoring range, got lucky on their own fumble which was ruled down before the ball was out and went for it on fourth and goal. They were stopped, instead of taking the three points both the Yellow Jackets and the refs tried to hand them.

Georgia Tech then tallied an insurance field goal with two minutes left to make it 13-7. So the Buffs were still alive with no timeouts and a struggling Juju Lewis having a chance to drive down the field. Out of nowhere the Buffs passing game got rolling, but they were still stuck with a long third down in Yellow Jackets territory. A surprise 16-yard rush from DeKalon Taylor set the ball up at the 20 yard line. That’s when, out of a home team timeout, Lewis struck Charlie Williams down field, who crossed the goal for a lead-taking touchdown at 14-13.

“We saw man coverage, he tried to hold on to the tight end.” Lewis told ESPN after the game. “Coach (Brennan) Marion beat him with the play. I beat him with the ball. It’s just how the ball works. Charlie made a great catch — touchdown.”

Julian Lewis delivers a CLUTCH touchdown pass. Buffs take a 14-13 lead!

WOW pic.twitter.com/OV8dJghNI4

— Denver Sports 104.3 (@DenSports1043) September 4, 2026

But it wasn’t over because Alberto Mendoza threw a 42-yard pass to give Tech a chance a buzzer-beating field goal.

The 45-yard attempt was blocked by Boo Carter

Georgia Tech's potential game-winning FG gets blocked!

What a win for Coach Prime and Colorado 🔥 pic.twitter.com/0kPWhJwxeN

— ESPN (@espn) September 4, 2026

There were only several drives in the second half between the teams in this run-heavy game so trying to come from behind was a tall task. It was made even harder by Lewis’ struggles. That should put into context how resilient he was and how improbable the comeback truly was. Lewis finished the contest 14 of 27 with 124 yards and a touchdown. The crew of rushers on the ground also went for 124 yards, as Ralphie has a new way to stampede this year.

It was a lot different than it looked four years ago led by Sheduer Sanders and Travis Hunter but a ground and pound game and overcoming their own mistakes gave the Buffaloes their first win vs an ACC team since 1957 Orange Bowl against Clemson, all while Sheduer watched from behind Deion on the sidelines in Atlanta.

What’s next: Colorado’s home opener is next week at Folsom Field, hosting Weber State.

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