Miracle in Boulder: Colorado’s Hail Mary Shocks Baylor in Dramatic Overtime Victory
Players showing excitement after the spectacular win. Photo property of Colorado Buffs Football (@cubuffsfootball)
On Saturday, September 21, the Colorado Buffaloes scripted a memorable Homecoming thriller, overcoming Baylor University 38-31 in overtime. In a game that had it all—comebacks, late-game heroics, and a stadium-rocking finish—Colorado's win secured their first Big 12 victory since rejoining the conference, sending their fans into pandemonium.
The stage was set in the final seconds of regulation. With Colorado trailing by seven and time about to expire, the Buffaloes found themselves at Baylor’s 49-yard line, needing a miracle to stay in the game. All eyes were on Travis Hunter, Colorado's multi-talented star who had already racked up 126 receiving yards. But this time, he wasn’t the target—he was the decoy.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, with the defense zeroed in on Hunter, had another plan. He rolled left, waited for the Baylor defenders to crash toward Hunter in the middle of the end zone, and then launched a prayer—a Hail Mary aimed at 5-foot-11 wide receiver LaJohntay Wester.
“I just threw it up to God,” Sanders said. “And God answered the prayer, for sure.”
Wester, sandwiched between two Baylor defenders, out-jumped the coverage, dove for the ball, and secured a 43-yard touchdown as time expired. Folsom Field erupted in cheers as the improbable play sent the game into overtime.
With momentum on their side, the Buffaloes struck quickly in the extra period. A calm and composed Shedeur Sanders led a textbook drive, culminating in Micah Welch’s second rushing touchdown of the night. Now it was Baylor’s turn to answer.
On their overtime possession, Baylor running back Dominic Richardson looked like he might extend the game with a powerful run toward the goal line. But just as he reached the end zone, Travis Hunter—who had dazzled on offense all night—made a game-saving defensive play, forcing Richardson to fumble. The ball rolled out of the back of the end zone. Game over. Colorado fans stormed the field, celebrating the Buffaloes' dramatic victory.
“I don’t like what transpired after the game, but I love what happened at the end of the game,” head coach Deion Sanders said afterward, referring to the chaotic scene as fans flooded the field. “I didn’t get to shake the Baylor coach’s hand, and that’s on me. But I’m so proud of this team.”
The win showcased Colorado’s resilience. The Buffaloes erased three separate deficits throughout the game, including a momentum-crushing 100-yard kickoff return by Baylor. Yet, they never wavered. Shedeur Sanders finished with 341 passing yards and three touchdown strikes, including a critical 58-yard touchdown to Omarion Miller just before halftime.
While Sanders and Hunter delivered big plays, the game wouldn’t have been won without the crucial contributions of the offensive line, which helped the Buffaloes record three rushing touchdowns despite Baylor’s eight sacks.
For Coach Sanders, the victory was a testament to his team’s grit and potential. “The young men were resilient,” he said. “They never gave up. But we still have so much more to show.”
The Buffaloes’ quarterback echoed his father’s sentiment, taking accountability for Colorado falling behind early. “I know I can’t have games like that because it won’t always end like this,” Shedeur Sanders said. “But in that moment, I just trusted my teammates, and they came through.”
The night, however, belonged to Travis Hunter, whose all-around brilliance made him the star of the game. In addition to his seven catches for 130 yards, Hunter’s game-saving forced fumble on defense secured Colorado’s victory. “They don’t think I can tackle, so I had to show them,” Hunter said, flashing a grin.
As the Buffaloes celebrated the emotional win, LaJohntay Wester reflected on the play that changed everything. “As a receiver, your job is to make the quarterback right,” Wester said. “Whether it’s a good ball or a bad ball, you just make a play.”
On Saturday night, Colorado made all the plays when it mattered most—and sent a message that their return to the Big 12 will be anything but ordinary.
