BOULDER, CO – Coach Deion Sanders spent the entire offseason calling his 2025
Colorado football team the “best we’ve ever assembled.” But in their season opener on Aug. 29 at a sold-out Folsom Field, reality struck hard.
Georgia Tech spoiled Sanders’ debut with a 27-20 win, capped by quarterback Haynes King’s 45-yard game-winning touchdown run with just over a minute remaining.
For the first time, Deion Sanders coached Colorado without his two youngest sons — quarterback Shedeur Sanders and safety Shilo Sanders — along with former two-way Heisman Trophy winner. Travis Hunter, now in the NFL.
Colorado Misses Opportunities Early
Colorado capitalized on just one of Tech’s three early turnovers, scoring only once on an 8-yard touchdown pass from new quarterback Kaidon Salter, a transfer from Liberty.
Salter finished 17 of 28 passing for 159 yards with one touchdown and added 43 rushing yards, including a 7-yard touchdown run that tied the game at 20-20 with 8:25 left.
But Haynes King was the star of the night. The Georg Tech QB completed 13 of 20 passes for 143 yards and rushed for a career-high 156 yards and three touchdowns, including the decisive 45-yarder.
Key Game Highlights
Final Score: Gorgia Tech 27, Colorado 20
Colorado’s last-second Hail Mary pass fell short, confirming Gergia Tech’s victory as the clock hit zero.
King’s Late Heroics: With 1:07 left, King broke free for a 45-yard touchdown run, giving Gergia Tech the lead for good.
Salter’s Response: Earlier in the fourth quarter, Salter tied the game with a 7-yard TD run after driving the Buffs 75 yards on 15 plays.
Third Quarter Action: King scored on a 17-yard run late in the third quarter, giving Geogia Tech a 20-13 lead before Colorado answered with a field goal and touchdown.
Halftime Score: Georgia Tech led 13-10 at the break after exchanging field goals late in the second quarter.
Offensive Numbers Tell the Story
Gergia Tech racked up 463 total yards, including 320 on the ground, while Colorado struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities despite a supportive home crowd of 52,868 fans.
Salter showed flashes of potential for Colorado, but communication issues and missed red-zone chances kept the Buffaloes from taking control.
What’s Next for Deion Sanders and Colorado
The Buffaloes will look to regroup after a disappointing opener in Sanders’ first season without his star players from 2024. Meanwhile, Geogia Tech leaves Boulder with momentum after a road win fueled by King’s breakout performance.
Both teams had reasons for frustration in the first half. Despite Geogia Tech coughing up the ball on its first three drives, Colorado capitalized with only a single touchdown
Despite the turnovers, the Yellow Jackets dominated in total yards with a 279-119 advantage and an 18-5 lead in first downs heading into halftime.
Colorado Ties the Game Before Halftime
Colorado’s offense came alive late in the second quarter, marching 51 yards in eight plays to even the score at 10-10 with 1:39 remaining
On a crucial third-and-10, quarterback Kaidon Salter hit Omarion Miller for a 39-yard pass, advancing Colorado to Gergia Tech’s 25-yard line. But the drive stalled, leading to a 42-yard field goal from kicker Alejandro Mata.
Georgia Tech Regains the Lead
Earlier in the second quarter, Gergia Tech capitalized on Colorado’s stalled offense, driving 80 yards in 10 plays to take a 10-7 lead with a 4-yard rushing touchdown by QB Haynes King.
At that point, Gorgia Tech had outgained Colorado 230-63 in total yards and held a 16-3 advantage in first downs.
Colorado’s Offense Struggles
After scoring a touchdown on their opening drive, Colorado’s offense sputtered with three consecutive punts, including two three-and-outs.
Salter completed just 4 of 8 passes for 12 yards after his early 8-yard touchdown pass, as Georgia Tech extended its yardage lead to 150-63 midway through the second quarter.
Georgia Tech Settles for a Field Goal
On their fourth drive, the Yellow Jackets marched 84 yards in 13 plays from their own 2-yard line to Colorado’s 8 before a holding penalty stalled the drive. Kicker Aidan Birr connected on a 32-yard field goal, cutting Colorado’s lead to 7-3 early in the second quarter.
First Quarter Recap
At the end of the first quarter, Colorado led 7-0, but Georgia Tech had seized momentum and was threatening to score again. By that point, Georgia Tech had already racked up a 144-45 advantage in total yards and had pushed deep into Colorado territory.
Third Georgia Tech Turnover
Georgia Tech’s early mistakes continued when Haynes King’s pass was intercepted by Colorado cornerback DJ McKinney in Buffaloes territory, giving Colorado the ball at its own 34-yard line.
The Colorado Buffaloes couldn’t cash in on early opportunities at first, punting the ball away after Georgia Tech’s second straight fumble.
Georgia Tech Turns It Over Again
Two possessions, two turnovers. Georgia Tech’s second drive ended when a high snap from center was recovered by Colorado linebacker Keaten Wade at the Buffaloes’ 48-yard line early in the first quarter.
But Colorado’s offense stalled again, going three-and-out and punting the ball back.
Colorado Finally Strikes First
After another Georgia Tech mistake, Colorado broke through. Linebacker Martavius French forced a fumble on Georgia Tech’s second play from scrimmage, setting up Colorado at the Yellow Jackets’ 36-yard line.
Quarterback Kaidon Salter wasted no time, orchestrating a five-play, 36-yard drive that ended with an 8-yard touchdown strike to newcomer DeKalon ‘TrackHawk’ Taylor at the 12:08 mark of the first quarter.. Colorado took an early 7-0 lead at sold-out Folsom Field in Boulder.
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Colorado vs. Georgia Tech Game Details
Kickoff Time: Friday, Aug. 29, 8 p.m. ET
Location: Folsom Field, Boulder, Colorado
TV Channel: ESPN
Streaming: Available on Fubo
Betting Odds and Weather Conditions
Fans looking for the latest Colorado vs. Georgia Tech betting odds can find them at USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.
Rain began falling less than an hour before kickoff, creating wet field conditions on Colorado’s new artificial turf. The weather kept the stadium sparsely filled early, aside from the student section,
