BOULDER, Colo. - In an electrifying season opener, Haynes King showcased his exceptional talent, faking a pitch and sprinting for a stunning 45-yard touchdown with just 1:07 left on the clock. This remarkable play led the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to a thrilling 27-20 victory over the Colorado Buffaloes on Friday night. King not only excelled on the ground, rushing for 156 yards and scoring three touchdowns, but he also contributed in the air with 143 passing yards.
During the decisive five-play drive, King demonstrated his versatility by carrying the ball four times. Reflecting on his performance, he stated, “They called my number. I did my job. I followed my blockers. The rest is history.” This win marked a significant achievement for Georgia Tech, especially after a rocky start that included multiple turnovers.
The Colorado Buffaloes had a chance to clinch the game in their final drive, but despite having two timeouts, they failed to utilize them effectively. They managed to advance to the 50-yard line, only to see their hopes dashed when a Hail Mary attempt was batted down in the end zone with just three seconds remaining. Colorado coach Deion Sanders expressed his disappointment, saying, “We could’ve won the game. It’s not like we had our butts kicked.” The Buffaloes were outgained 463-305 overall, with Georgia Tech dominating the ground game by rushing for 320 yards.
Sanders emphasized the importance of capitalizing on opportunities, stating, “If we take advantage of the opportunities, I have a whole different mood up here right now.” This game was particularly challenging for Colorado, as they faced a veteran Georgia Tech offense that struggled initially, committing two fumbles and an interception in their first three possessions.
Georgia Tech’s coach, Brent Key, acknowledged the need for improvement, saying, “A lot of things we have to clean up. The difference was our ability to run the football.” Despite a rocky start, King managed to stabilize the team, earning praise from Sanders, who remarked, “The quarterback is looking like a Heisman candidate right now. We made that happen for him.”
In a notable comeback effort, Colorado’s Kaidon Salter scored 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 barely crossed the bar, tying the game. Salter, in his Colorado debut, threw for 159 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 43 yards and another score. Notably, freshman sensation Julian “JuJu” Lewis did not see action during the game.
With several key players, including quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, departing for the NFL, the Buffaloes are still in the process of rebuilding. “We ain’t got time to jell,” Sanders commented. “We’ve got to go right now.” Following the game, Shedeur Sanders, who was drafted by the Cleveland Browns, expressed confidence in the team's future on social media, stating, “They’ll figure things out. They have a great head coach.”
The game was played under challenging conditions, with a heavy downpour just before kickoff making the new turf at Folsom Field slick. Colorado linebacker Martavius French made a significant impact by recovering two fumbles during the game. In a show of support for Coach Sanders, who is battling bladder cancer, the team introduced a portable restroom tent on the sideline, ensuring he had access during the game.
The Buffaloes paid tribute to Bill McCartney, who passed away in January at the age of 84, by wearing a patch on their jerseys. McCartney was the head coach during Colorado's shared national title with Georgia Tech in 1990. This game was also historic for Georgia Tech, marking their first regular-season victory in the Mountain time zone since defeating Air Force in 1978.
The Colorado Buffaloes will look to bounce back as they prepare for their next game at home against Delaware on September 6, while Georgia Tech is set to host Gardner-Webb on the same day. Fans can stay updated on the latest college football news and polls by signing up for alerts regarding the AP Top 25.
