Boo Carter straight up DENIED Georgia Tech a game-winning field goal, stuffing Aidan Birr’s 45-yard attempt as time expired. Colorado held on for a wild 14-13 win at Georgia Tech in their opener on Thursday night, and you just know that stadium went absolutely insane.
The Game-Winning Drive That Almost Wasn’t
Colorado had just snatched the lead with only 37 seconds left on the clock. Julian Lewis found Charlie Williams for a 20-yard touchdown reception that put them up 14-13. For a second, you probably thought it was over, right? But hold up, Georgia Tech wasn’t out! Alberto Mendoza, making his first start at quarterback after transferring from Indiana, launched a huge 42-yard pass to Dalen Penson on the very first play of their final drive. Yellow Jackets fans had to be on their feet, thinking they had it in the bag. Three more plays, only six yards gained, setting up that fateful 45-yarder for Birr. Talk about drama!
Defense Stood Tall When It Counted
It wasn’t all last-second heroics; Colorado’s defense showed up too. They held Tech to a measly 288 total yards all game. Mendoza finished the night completing 17 of 23 passes for 237 yards in his first start. Oh, and get this: Alberto Mendoza is the younger brother of 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Alberto Mendoza. Tech’s only other points came on Rahkeem Smith’s electrifying 100-yard kickoff return early in the second quarter that tied the game at 7, but Colorado’s D made sure that was it for a while.
This win? It’s huge for Coach Deion Sanders. After a tough 3-9 season last year, this dramatic opener has gotta feel like a massive weight lifted, at least for now. Colorado just proved they can pull off a gut-wrenching win, and that’s something to build on. You just can’t make this stuff up!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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