Run the ball and play defense. That’s the formula that let Colorado eke past Kansas State in overtime, 27-24, on Halloween.
Facing a key third down in OT, trailing 24-21, offensive coordinator Brennan Marion was able to trick the defense by calling a play-action pop pass. Quarterback Isaac Wilson tossed a treat to tight end Charlie Williams in the end zone and the Buffaloes called game.
“My only job was to hold this backside safety; he crept in a little bit, but I knew I was throwing that ball,” Wilson said. “Charlie made a hell of a catch.”
The Buffs (3-5, 1-4 Big 12) snapped a five-game losing streak, but could’ve ended things much earlier.
Up 21-14 with the ball at the two-minute warning, they just needed a first down to win. But that wouldn’t make for an exciting ending. After the offense stalled and punted, the defense then gave up a 62-yard scoring drive to the Wildcats.
K-State (4-4, 1-4 Big 12) quarterback Blake Barnett made a leaping throw to find tight end Garret Oakley for the tying score. Knotted at 21, the game headed to overtime.
Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders was frustrated with the ending of regulation but was pleased with the win.
“The game should have been finished. We get the first down, we can run out the clock. We didn't get the first down; we had to kick to them,” Sanders said. “Unbelievable. Unbelievable, but we got it done.”
Although the ending sequence was untimely, the Buffs tightened up.
They won the coin toss and sent their defense onto the gridiron first. On a key third down, cornerback Boo Carter deflected a Barnett pass in the corner of the end zone. They forced a field goal and set up the game-winning possession for Wilson and the offense.
On the path to victory, the offensive line carved out a game-high in rushing yards for the Coach Prime era. CU’s four running backs ran for 222 yards on 43 carries. Richard Young had the breakout day, gaining 120 yards and scoring two rushing touchdowns. He became the second 100-yard rusher in Sanders’ tenure.
“Let's applaud Richard Young. He's waited patiently. He hasn't complained, bickered, murmured,” Sanders said. “I wanted him to have a chance to run the ball today, and he proved that he could.”
The success on the ground helped open up easier passing opportunities for quarterback Isaac Wilson. While he had a relatively quiet game, the gunslinger was efficient, going 14-of-21 for 185 and a TD pass. Most importantly, he had zero turnovers for the first time this season.
Defensively, the Buffs pressured Barnett and limited the fourth-string QB. They sacked him five times and had nine tackles for loss across the board. Linebacker Gideon Lampron was digging graves all afternoon, recording 15 total tackles and two sacks. Defensive end Yamil Talib also had his best game of the season, with two sacks and eight total tackles.
The victory was much needed for Colorado and something that has raised spirits in the locker room.
“Obviously didn't think we were going to go on a five-game losing streak, but mindset hasn't changed at all,” Lampron said. “It's always next-game mentality, approaching every day the same. The goal at the end of the day is to win, and it's been consistent.”
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