The Colorado Buffaloes secured a 14-13 road victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the season opener on Thursday night, marking the program’s first win of the 2024 college football campaign.
The outcome hinged on two decisive plays in the final minute: a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Julian Lewis to tight end Charlie Williams with 37 seconds remaining, followed by a game-saving field goal block by defensive end Boo Carter as time expired. Georgia Tech’s attempt from 45 yards was stopped by Carter, preserving the win in front of a sold-out crowd at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta.
Balanced Offensive Effort Leads to Narrow Victory
Colorado’s offense totaled 183 rushing yards compared to Georgia Tech’s 51, with Lewis connecting with Williams for the go-ahead score after the Buffaloes’ defense held the Yellow Jackets scoreless in the third quarter. The game remained tight throughout, with Georgia Tech’s only touchdown coming on a 100-yard kickoff return by Rahkeem Smith in the second quarter. The Yellow Jackets took a 10-7 lead in the fourth quarter on a field goal by kicker Aidan Birr, but Colorado’s late-drive execution proved decisive.
Defensively, the Buffaloes limited Georgia Tech to three points in the second half, with a key stand by the secondary preventing a potential game-tying drive in the final minutes. Special teams, however, remained a point of concern: Colorado had a field goal attempt blocked earlier in the fourth quarter, while Georgia Tech’s Smith’s kickoff return provided the Yellow Jackets’ lone offensive touchdown.
Sanders Responds to Offseason Criticism with Defiance
Following the victory, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders addressed past criticism regarding his team’s perceived size and depth during the offseason. In a postgame press conference, Sanders highlighted the rushing disparity, stating: “We rushed for 183 [yards], my god. They rushed for 51. I thought we were small.” He also noted the significance of the road win in Atlanta, where the Buffaloes sold out the stadium—a rarity for Georgia Tech in recent years.
The win marked Sanders’ first as Colorado’s head coach in Atlanta, where he previously played for the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL. The Buffaloes’ 2023 season ended with a 3-9 record, including a 1-8 mark in Big 12 play, but Thursday’s performance offered an early indication of potential improvement under Sanders’ leadership.
Statistical Breakdown and Key Takeaways
- Rushing Dominance: Colorado outgained Georgia Tech 183-51 on the ground, though the Buffaloes struggled to convert drives into points outside of the game-winning touchdown.
- Defensive Resilience: The Buffaloes’ defense held Georgia Tech to 3 points in the second half, including a crucial stop in the red zone late in the game.
- Special Teams Concerns: Despite Carter’s game-saving block, Colorado’s special teams unit had a field goal blocked and allowed a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
- Lewis’ Breakout Moment: The true freshman quarterback completed the go-ahead drive with precision, connecting with Williams for the decisive score after a scoreless third quarter.
The Buffaloes now turn their attention to their next opponent as they aim to build on the season-opening victory. Georgia Tech, meanwhile, will look to regroup after a heartbreaking loss in their home opener.