BOULDER, Co. — Colorado finally had something to celebrate after a difficult stretch, and the Buffaloes delivered a Halloween finish worth remembering.
Isaac Wilson connected with tight end Charlie Williams for an 11-yard touchdown in overtime Saturday, lifting Colorado to a 27-24 victory over Kansas State at Folsom Field and snapping a five-game losing streak.
The victory gave the Buffaloes their first Big 12 win of the season and improved their record to 3-5 overall and 1-4 in conference play. More importantly, Colorado showed resilience after watching a late lead disappear in regulation.
“It’s been a rough stretch, but we’re back on track now,” Colorado linebacker Gideon ESPN Lampron said. Lampron finished with 15 tackles, four tackles for loss and two of the Buffaloes’ five sacks.
Colorado controlled much of the game on the ground, finishing with a season-high 222 rushing yards. Richard Young led the way with a career-high 120 yards on 24 carries and scored twice in his first start as a Buffalo after transferring from Alabama.
Young opened the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. Kansas State answered in the second quarter when Blake Barnett connected with Josh Manning for a 28-yard touchdown, sending the teams into halftime tied 7-7.
The Buffaloes regained the lead in the third quarter when JaQuail Smith broke free for a 47-yard touchdown run. Kansas State responded with a 33-yard touchdown reception by Linkon Cure to even the score at 14.
Young put Colorado back in front early in the fourth quarter, breaking loose for a 22-yard touchdown run to cap a 96-yard drive. But the Wildcats refused to go away. Barnett found Garrett Oakley for an 8-yard touchdown with two seconds remaining, forcing overtime.
Kansas State took the first possession in overtime but settled for a 25-yard field goal. Colorado answered with Wilson’s decisive throw to Williams on third-and-9, sending the Buffaloes sideline into celebration.
Coach Deion Sanders praised the balance Colorado found offensively and the impact of its rushing attack.
“The running attack was truly vital, and I like that because it took a lot of pressure off Isaac that he didn’t have to play hero ball,” Sanders said. “He was able to be calm and focused and made some great throws, especially the last one.”
Wilson completed 14 of 22 passes for 185 yards, while the Buffaloes finished with 407 total yards. Colorado’s defense also came through when it mattered, limiting Kansas State to a field goal in overtime after the Wildcats had rallied to tie the game.
The victory moves Colorado forward after five consecutive losses and gives the Buffaloes a chance to build momentum as they head into next week’s road matchup against Arizona State.
