‘Resilient’ Colorado avoids upset with 2OT win over Colorado St.

BOULDER, Colo. — On a day when Boulder became the center of the college football world, No. 18 Colorado escaped with a 43-35, victory in double overtime against Colorado State to finish undefeated non-conference play.

There were several moments where things almost fell apart for the Buffaloes, only for them to roar back and keep the game alive.

“We showed that we were tough. We showed that we would fight,” coach Deion Sanders said. “We showed that we don’t give up or give up, and that’s a lot for a team that’s pretty new.”

Things got more dire when Colorado State, leading 28-20, punted and pinned the Buffaloes at their own 2-yard line with 2 minutes, 6 seconds left. For a Colorado offense that had gone eight straight drives without a touchdown, the prospect of having to go 98 yards and then convert a 2-point conversion might have seemed insurmountable. Some fans began to leave Folsom Field.

Those who left missed seeing the quarterback Shedeur Sanders engineer a seven-play touchdown drive, capped by a 45-yard touchdown pass to Jimmy Horn Jr.

“We do it in practice all the time, so it’s not really a surprise to us,” Sanders said of the 98-yard gain. “We like these high-pressure moments and I guess that’s what we live by.”

Mikey Harrison he caught the 2-point conversion pass and then both touchdowns in overtime, prompting Colorado fans to rush onto the field for the second straight week.

“Last week I stayed on the field a little bit, but this week I went straight to the locker room because it gets pretty crazy,” the safety said. Shilo Sanders, which forced two turnovers, including a pick-six. “So we’re getting better off the field, making smart decisions.”

Then there was a much-anticipated handshake between Colorado State coach Jay Norvell and Sanders, following comments Norvell made earlier in the week criticizing Sanders’ habit of wearing sunglasses and hats at conferences. press. Neither coach divulged what was said during their brief interaction.

“I’m happy for the brother. I really am,” Sanders said. “I’m happy that they fought, that they played a good game. I’m happy that he’s the head coach. I’m happy for any brother that’s doing it and having success, man. I really am. I don’t know. “Where from all this is coming. “I had to respond because my mom taught me that.”

But Sanders admitted there was a moment during the game when he allowed the thought of Norvell getting the best of him to enter his mind.

“I said we can’t let this guy win,” Sanders said. “There’s no way we’re going to let this guy win. This press conference will be unbearable if we let this guy win.”

Folsom Field is quickly becoming a celebrity spot. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was in attendance after serving as a guest selector on “College GameDay.” Shortly after Ralphie, the school’s live buffalo mascot, ran, Lil Wayne rapping led the Buffaloes out of the tunnel. Others like Kawhi Leonard and rapper Offset also came to Boulder.

“If I were the other team, I’d be really scared right now,” Shilo Sanders said of the pregame atmosphere. “They’ve got Lil Wayne here, Coach Prime doing his thing. They’ve got an animal running around.”

Because even though Colorado State played for long stretches, the Rams couldn’t get out of their own way. They committed 17 penalties for 182 yards, several of them personal fouls that came at crucial moments.

Only six teams in the last 20 years at the FBS level have been penalized more yards in a single game.

“Obviously, we had too many penalties. I can’t even talk about it. It’s so ridiculous,” Norvell said. “And it’s a real shame, because a lot of those penalties took away a lot of great efforts from our kids. I’ve never seen such an uneven game in terms of penalties.

“I give Colorado credit. They’re a very good football team.”

The stakes rise significantly from here for Colorado. After going 3-0 in non-conference games, they play in the 13th spot. Oregon next week before hosting No. 5 USC September 30th.