Colorado Stuns No. 14 Houston for First Top-15 Win Since 2007

WHO:

ESPN - Colorado’s Buffaloes (4-6, 2-5 Big 12) beat the No. 14 Houston Cougars (7-3, 4-3 Big 12; No. 14 in the CFP ranking).

ESPN - Colorado coach Deion Sanders said, “These kids are resilient,” and praised the players and coaching staff for not quitting.

ESPN - Colorado quarterback Isaac Wilson left with an apparent ankle injury and was replaced by Kaneal Sweetwyne, who scored on a 14-yard keeper on his first play. Wilson later returned.

ESPN - Houston quarterback Conner Weigman threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns and had one interception.

ESPN - Houston coach Willie Fritz said, “It’s a tough one. It’s a hard one. Very difficult,” and told players they could point the finger at him.

ESPN - Colorado defensive back Randon Fontenette said playing for Sanders fueled him and that he felt he owed Sanders his best effort.

ESPN - Colorado brought in offensive coordinator Brennan Marion to install the “Go-Go” offense.

WHAT:

ESPN - Colorado won 42-32, earning its first victory over an AP top-15 team since beating No. 3 Oklahoma.

ESPN - After trailing 20-7 late in the first half, Colorado scored 28 consecutive points.

ESPN - Colorado gained 466 yards, including 249 rushing yards—the most in the Sanders era at Colorado—and scored four touchdowns of at least 32 yards.

ESPN - Colorado recorded five rushing touchdowns for the first time since Nov. 7, 2020, against UCLA. DeKalon Taylor ran for a 67-yard touchdown; Richard Young scored on a 38-yard run; JaQuail Smith scored on a 32-yard run.

ESPN - Sanders said, “I still expect a lot more from us,” adding that the team had been capable of such a performance all season but had not put it together.

ESPN - Colorado must win its remaining games to become bowl-eligible and avoid a third losing season in Sanders’ four seasons at the school. Sanders’ record since taking over is 20-27.

ESPN - Colorado entered the game averaging a conference-low 19.8 points per game.

ESPN - Houston scored after Wilson was stopped on a fourth-and-3 attempt, but failed to convert a two-point attempt, making the score 35-26.

ESPN - The social-media hashtag “PlayForPrime” was created ahead of the game. Sanders said, “I’ve been around noise all my life. This isn’t new.”

WHERE:

ESPN - The game was played at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado.

WHEN:

ESPN - The game was played Friday night. Colorado’s previous AP top-15 win was against No. 3 Oklahoma on Sept. 29, 2007.

WHY:

ESPN - Colorado’s win slightly cooled discussion of Sanders’ job security amid speculation about his future.

HOW:

ESPN - Colorado’s comeback was driven by its rushing attack and explosive touchdowns; Marion’s fast-paced “Go-Go” scheme was designed to score in bunches.

Colorado stunned No. 14 Houston, winning 42 to 32 for its first top-15 victory since 2007. After trailing, the Buffaloes scored 28 straight points. They must win their remaining games to become bowl-eligible.