Colorado Edges Georgia Tech After Blocked Field Goal as Time Expires

The Colorado Buffaloes defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 14-13 on Thursday night in a college football season opener decided on the game’s final play. Colorado defensive back Boo Carter blocked a 45-yard field goal attempt as time expired to preserve a late rally led by freshman quarterback Julian Lewis.

Late Comeback and Final-Second Drama

Colorado trailed late in the fourth quarter before Lewis directed a two-minute drive, completing a 20-yard touchdown pass to tight end Charlie Williams with 37 seconds remaining. The touchdown gave Colorado a 14-13 lead following the successful point-after kick.

Georgia Tech quickly moved into scoring position on its final possession when quarterback Alberto Mendoza completed a 42-yard pass to wide receiver Dalen Penson. The gain positioned kicker Aidan Birr for a potential game-winning 45-yard field goal, but Carter penetrated the line to block the kick as time ran out.

The finish made Colorado the first Football Bowl Subdivision team to win a season opener on a walk-off blocked field goal since Northern Illinois accomplished the feat in 2021, which also occurred against Georgia Tech.

Special Teams Exchange and Offensive Struggles

Earlier in the contest, Colorado took a 7-0 lead in the second quarter on a 5-yard touchdown run by running back Micah Welch. Georgia Tech responded 14 seconds later when Rahkeem Smith returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. It marked Smith’s first touch for Georgia Tech and the program’s first kickoff return touchdown since Jahmyr Gibbs accomplished it against Boston College in 2021.

Colorado later sustained a 17-play, 61-yard drive that consumed 9 minutes and 7 seconds off the clock. However, that possession ended without points when Georgia Tech’s 6-foot-9 tight end Kevin Roche Jr. blocked a Colorado field goal attempt. Georgia Tech followed with a drive that culminated in a field goal, taking a 13-7 lead before Colorado’s final scoring possession.

Quarterback Statistics and Postgame Reaction

Lewis finished his collegiate debut completing 14 of 27 passes for 124 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. Colorado head coach Deion Sanders noted that he challenged his young quarterback at halftime to step up during crucial moments, stating after the game that Lewis “took advantage of the moment.” Sanders added that he remained confident during the tight finish, telling reporters, “I never flinched, man.”

Mendoza, the younger brother of Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, completed 17 of 23 passes for 237 yards for Georgia Tech. Mendoza briefly exited or required evaluation following an injury scare during the game, though he returned to play in the second half.

Background

Blocked field goals to end games are rare in American college football, particularly in season-opening matchups. Thursday’s game was the head coaching season opener for Deion Sanders’ second year at Colorado, highlighting the team’s ongoing roster rebuilding around young talent such as freshman quarterback Julian Lewis.