College Football World Shocked by Stanford’s Incensed Rally, Thrilling Victory over Colorado
College Football World Shocked by Stanford’s Incensed Rally, Thrilling Victory over Colorado
October 14th, 2023, 6:27 PM CST • By Ryan J. Van Dever
You're forgiven if you went to bed at halftime of the Stanford-Colorado game Friday night like most of the College Football World. After all, the Buffaloes were holding a 29-0 lead over the visiting Cardinals, and there was undoubtedly no rationale to believe that this game would even be a little bit competitive. This game wasn't even as close as that score might suggest. There needed to be more logic to anticipate that Stanford, losers of four straight, could reverse the script in the second half.
The Stanford Cardinals scored the first 26 points of the second half and topped off their comeback with a 46-yard field goal by Joshua Karty as time expired in regulation.
Stanford did a superior job of keeping the Buffaloes off the field in the second half, with a total time of possession for the Cardinal was 34:42 compared to the Buffaloes 25:18. When the Buffaloes are on the field, they can do some damage and control the clock, especially with Travis Hunter now back from injury. Stanford took that away and minimized that opportunity.
The teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime period. But Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders was intercepted in the end zone in the second overtime when he just threw the ball up looking for a prayer to be answered, instead allowing Stanford to win the game with a 31-yard field goal by Karty.
Final score: Stanford 46, Colorado 43 (2 OT)
It was the largest comeback in Stanford history and the largest blown lead in Colorado history. This game will go down in history as one of the most epic comebacks ever witnessed in the Pac-12, and fans and pundits worldwide were left in astonishment.
Cardinal quarterback Ashton Daniels threw for 396 yards and four touchdowns, and Elic Ayomanor registered a school record of 294 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Sanders threw for 400 yards and five touchdowns before incurring the costly interception in overtime.
Colorado committed 17 penalties for 127 yards in a game that started at 8:20 PM local time on Friday the 13th and ended at 12:21 AM on Saturday the 14th. No team can overcome 17 penalties in a game and come out with a win, not when it's a stalemate and every possession matters.
Rather, the Colorado defense floundered again, this time against Stanford, which had a seven-game conference losing streak. Stanford standout wide receiver Elic Ayomanor, with 13 catches, 294 yards – a school record – and three touchdowns, played an enormous part in boosting Stanford's victory. Expect that young man to be targeted in the transfer portal as one of the bright spots on Stanford's offensive squad, with 28 receptions for 501 yards and four touchdowns on the season.
Fans and pundits around the college football world were staggered by what transpired in Boulder. This game was supposed to be a layup. An easy win for the Buffaloes, so they could walk into their off week and prepare for their next game, traveling to Pasadena to play a matchup against No. 18 UCLA. Instead, they have to try and somehow digest what will be determined: the biggest collapse in Colorado's history and the biggest comeback ever by the Cardinal.
The Breakdown
Stanford: The Cardinal snapped a seven-game conference skid and have overwhelming confidence going into next week's contest, where they will play host to UCLA on October 21st at 10:30 PM ET on ESPN.
Colorado: The Buffaloes limp into the off-week with many vital issues to address. You never want to go into an off week after a devastating loss, but they must improve the offensive line, where they are giving up the most sacks in the country. They need to address the defense or lack thereof, or the rest of the season will be filled with defeat after defeat. Four of their next five opponents are against top-25 teams.
With the Buffaloes now 4-3, they face an uphill climb. Next, they will travel to Pasadena to take on the No. 18 UCLA Bruins 4-1, 1-1 Pac-12 on October 28th.
Last season, they had one win, so they have improved with the roster overhaul Deion Sanders executed, but they weren't going to win any championship this season. Improvements will need to be made on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball if they plan to become bowl-eligible at six wins.