Colorado · Big 12Julian Lewis rallies Colorado past Georgia Tech in opener
Lewis’ 20-yard touchdown pass put the Buffaloes ahead with 42 seconds left before Boo Carter blocked a 45-yard field goal.
SEP 4, 2026
The Pate State · Editorial IllustrationColorado’s record last season
Lewis’ completion line
Lewis’ passing total
01 · The NewsLewis rallies Colorado in opener
Colorado turned a 13–7 deficit into a 14–13 victory over Georgia Tech Thursday when freshman quarterback Julian Lewis threw the go-ahead touchdown with 42 seconds left, then Boo Carter blocked a field goal on the final play.
Lewis connected with tight end Charlie Williams for a 20-yard score, giving Colorado the lead after the Buffaloes had trailed late in the fourth quarter. Georgia Tech answered with a 42-yard completion from Alberto Mendoza to Dalen Penson, but Carter got through to deflect Aidan Birr’s 45-yard attempt as time expired.
“You have no idea how many times I was shaken by a lineman and told that we got this, and I never doubted it,” Sanders said.
The road win moved Colorado to 1–0, its first undefeated opening since Sanders’ debut season in 2023. It also gave the Buffaloes an early foundation after last season’s 3–9 record, with Lewis’ late composure offering Sanders something to build around even as the freshman completed only 14 of 27 passes for 124 yards.
Colorado won with two final-minute answers rather than a dominant offensive night: Lewis produced the touchdown drive, and the defense and special teams protected the lead. The next test comes against Weber State on Saturday, Sept. 12, before Colorado visits Northwestern on Sept. 19 and Baylor on Sept. 26.
Sanders urged his players to respect Georgia Tech after the Yellow Jackets pushed the game to the last snap.
“Let’s make sure the locker room is clean when we leave. Let’s be respectful, don’t say nothing crazy about our opponents because they fought their butts off,” Sanders told the team.
Then he turned back to the players who had rescued the opener.
“I love you, I appreciate you, but more than ever, I’m proud of you and I never gave up on you,” Sanders said.
02 · The StakesWhy It Matters
The win keeps Colorado from starting another season in a hole and gives Deion Sanders an early foundation to build around Lewis and a team coming off a 3–9 season.
“You have no idea how many times I was shaken by a lineman and told that we got this, and I never doubted it”
Deion Sanders03 · The Watch ListWhat We're Watching
Can Lewis turn late composure into cleaner passing?
His opener line was 14 of 27 for 124 yards, even as he delivered the go-ahead touchdown.
Will Colorado keep getting final-minute answers?
Lewis produced the touchdown drive, while the defense and special teams protected the lead on the final play.