Colorado secures overtime victory against Baylor following a dramatic Hail Mary.
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When Colorado lined up for the final play of regulation against Baylor on Saturday night, the strategy was for Travis Hunter, the Buffaloes’ versatile star, to act as a decoy. Needing a Hail Mary touchdown to tie the game, Colorado anticipated that Hunter, who had already recorded six receptions for 126 yards, would draw significant defensive attention. The plan was for him to run toward the middle of the end zone, ideally setting up a more favorable matchup for LaJohntay Wester, a 5-foot-11, 167-pound wide receiver.
"We put Travis on the backside to draw all the attention, leaving LaJohntay one-on-one outside," explained Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders. "They wouldn’t expect us to throw to him because of his height in that situation. I rolled left, and as everyone converged in the middle, I just trusted God. I threw it up, and God answered my prayer."
Sanders’ pass from the Baylor 49-yard line found Wester, who managed to slip between two defenders and dove into the end zone for a touchdown. Colorado went on to win 38-31 in overtime, sparking a celebration at Folsom Field and delivering one of the most thrilling finishes under second-year coach Deion Sanders. The Buffaloes overcame three deficits and a 100-yard touchdown return from Baylor, marking their first Big 12 victory since returning to the league.
"Great win," Deion Sanders stated. "The young men showed incredible resilience. They never gave up."
Shedeur Sanders finished the game with 341 passing yards, including touchdown passes of 58 yards to Omarion Miller just before halftime and 43 yards to Wester as the fourth quarter ended. He also led an overtime touchdown drive that concluded with Micah Welch's second rushing score.
"That’s why I call it legendary, and I use that term often," Shedeur Sanders said. "Throughout all the ups and downs, I know at the end of the day, ‘legendary’ is what resonates with me."
Hunter further solidified his status as a leading Heisman Trophy contender with 130 receiving yards on seven catches, including a crucial defensive play in overtime. As Baylor’s Dominic Richardson appeared poised to score, Hunter knocked the ball loose, which rolled out of the end zone.
Baylor coach Dave Aranda described the defensive call on the Hail Mary as a "victory cigar," intended to force the quarterback into a containment rush. However, the execution faltered. "We went to opposite sides, and when you watch that play, you'll see a breakdown," Aranda admitted. "I take full responsibility for that."
Wester characterized the postgame atmosphere as a "party," as the celebration moved from the field to the locker room. Deion Sanders expressed disappointment over not being able to shake hands with Aranda due to the field storm but praised Colorado's dedicated fan base.
"We have a phenomenal fan base," he said. "The young kids on this campus live and breathe CU football, and I’m grateful for their support."
He also acknowledged the offensive line, which has often faced criticism, yet contributed to three rushing touchdowns despite Baylor’s eight sacks. "I want everyone to know we can run the ball and silence the critics," Welch asserted.
Baylor missed a crucial field goal attempt with 2:16 left that could have given them a 10-point lead, allowing Shedeur Sanders and Colorado to capitalize. "It reminded me of last year a bit, didn't it? That feeling from our 3-0 start. I was thinking, 'Man, I’m going gray here!' It was a tough match, and this press conference could be entirely different, but I'm thrilled we won."