BOULDER, Colo. — In a thrilling season opener, Haynes King demonstrated his playmaking ability by faking a pitch and sprinting for a remarkable 45-yard touchdown with just 1:07 left on the clock. This decisive play helped Georgia Tech overcome a shaky start filled with turnovers, ultimately defeating Colorado 27-20 on Friday night.
King had an impressive performance, amassing 156 yards rushing and scoring three touchdowns. In addition to his ground game, he threw for 143 yards, showcasing his versatility. During the winning drive, King took charge, carrying the ball four times in a five-play sequence. “They called my number. I did my job. I followed my blockers,” King reflected. “The rest is history.”
Despite having two timeouts remaining, the Buffaloes were unable to capitalize on their final drive. They advanced to midfield before attempting a Hail Mary pass with only three seconds left, but the ball was batted down in the end zone. “We could’ve won the game. It’s not like we had our butts kicked,” remarked Colorado coach Deion Sanders, whose team was outgained 463-305. Georgia Tech's rushing attack was particularly dominant, accumulating 320 yards on the ground. Sanders noted, “If we take advantage of the opportunities, I have a whole different mood up here right now.”
The game began poorly for the experienced Georgia Tech offense, which committed two fumbles and threw an interception on its first three possessions. Last season, the Yellow Jackets managed only 10 turnovers. “A lot of things we have to clean up,” said Georgia Tech coach Brent Key. “The difference was our ability to run the football.” King played a crucial role in stabilizing the team after their rocky start, earning praise from Sanders, who called him “a Heisman candidate right now.”
Colorado made a valiant effort to stay in the game, with Kaidon Salter scoring on a 7-yard touchdown scramble with just over 8:25 remaining, narrowing the gap to 20-19. Although Alejandro Mata’s extra point was blocked, it managed to sneak over the crossbar, leveling the score. This matchup marked the first-ever meeting between Colorado and Georgia Tech on the football field, with both programs historically linked after sharing the national championship in 1990.
In his Colorado debut, Salter threw for 159 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 43 yards and a score. Notably, freshman sensation Julian “JuJu” Lewis did not see any game action. The Buffaloes are still in the process of rebuilding after losing several key players to the NFL, including quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. “We ain’t got time to jell,” Sanders stated. “We’ve got to go right now.”
Following the game, Shedeur Sanders, who was recently selected by the Cleveland Browns, expressed optimism on social media, saying, “They’ll figure things out. They have a great head coach.” The game was played under challenging conditions, as a heavy downpour just before kickoff made the new turf at Folsom Field slick and caused the ball to be slippery. On the defensive side, Colorado linebacker Martavius French made an impact by recovering two fumbles.
In a notable acknowledgment of Coach Deion Sanders’ health, Colorado introduced a portable sideline bathroom for him, allowing him access during the game as he manages his recent diagnosis of bladder cancer. The Buffaloes also honored the late Bill McCartney, the coach who led Colorado to a shared national title with Georgia Tech in 1990, by wearing a commemorative patch on their jerseys.
Georgia Tech: This victory marked Georgia Tech's first regular-season win in the Mountain time zone since 1978.
Colorado: The game was played without Ralphie VI, Colorado's live buffalo mascot, who recently retired from running.
Both Georgia Tech and Colorado will be back in action on September 6, with the Yellow Jackets set to host Gardner-Webb and the Buffaloes facing Delaware at home.
