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Colorado Football performs a miracle and defeats Baylor in overtime

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This story has been updated to add new information.

BOULDER, Colorado – For the second consecutive year under head coach Deion Sanders, the Colorado football team started 3-1 after another key performance from Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, this time in a wet and wild 38-31 home overtime win over Baylor.

The win came after the Buffaloes forced overtime with an incredible 43-yard touchdown pass as time expired, helping to tie the game at 31-31. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders rolled left on the play and threw the ball toward the left corner of the end zone, where receiver LaJohntay Wester turned to catch the ball in the rain with both hands and his elbows extended.

The pass landed right in his basket and saved the Buffs from the brink, even though Colorado receiver Will Sheppard dropped a potential touchdown pass near the end zone one play earlier.

Shedeur Sanders, Deion's youngest son, then drove the Buffs 25 yards in seven plays on the first overtime drive, capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by freshman running back Micah Welch.

Baylor had a chance to respond, but running back Dominic Richardson dropped the ball on a diving attempt at the goal line on the final play. Travis Hunter, Colorado's electrifying two-way star, forced the fumble by getting in front of Richardson.

Colorado fans went wild afterward and stormed the field to celebrate the sold-out home game at Folsom Field. Shedeur Sanders threw 25 of 41 passes for 341 yards and two touchdowns. Hunter caught seven passes for 130 yards.

Big moves characterized the first half

The 52,794 spectators fell silent after the Buffs fell behind 24-10 with 4:19 left in the second quarter. Baylor extended that lead with two great plays in the second quarter. First came a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Jamaal Bell down the right sideline. Then came a 45-yard rushing touchdown by Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson.

The latter occurred on a fourth-round play and try in which Robertson retained the ball and ran it down the field to score a point.

But the Buffs then struck back with a big play of their own, cutting Baylor's lead to 24-17 with 50 seconds left in the half. Sanders escaped a sack on that play and threw the ball to the right side of the field, where receiver Omarion Miller caught it and was nearly tackled by Baylor at the 35-yard line.

But Miller kept running and ran for the 58-yard touchdown. Replays showed he may have been down at the 35-yard line (his left shin nearly touched the ground). The referees still ruled it a touchdown, giving the Buffs something to build on at halftime.

Travis Hunter helps Colorado catch up

Colorado tied the score at 24-24 with a minute left in the third quarter after an 80-yard touchdown drive highlighted by two great plays by Hunter – a 46-yard catch and a 31-yard catch on third-and-15. The latter play put the Buffs at Baylor's 8-yard line, which set them up for a 2-yard run up the middle by Welch two plays later.

Hunter had five catches for 122 yards by the end of the third quarter, his fifth consecutive game with at least 100 yards receiving since last year. Last week, he set a school record with his fourth consecutive game with at least 100 yards receiving.

But Baylor responded and took a 31-24 lead

The Bears regained the lead with 5:43 left in the fourth quarter on a beautiful pass from Robertson to receiver Hal Presley. Covered by cornerback DJ McKinney, Presley caught the ball with his left hand in the left corner of the end zone. The 24-yard touchdown pass gave Baylor a 31-24 lead after a drive that covered 61 yards in eight plays.

On the next possession, Baylor's defense sacked Sanders twice, forcing the Buffs to punt from their own end zone.

By Vanessa

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