By Garin Turner
The Colorado Buffaloes defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 14-13 when a 45-yard field goal attempt by Aidan Birr was blocked as time expired to seal the win for the Buffaloes. With the win, Colorado is 1-0 while Georgia Tech falls to 0-1. It is the first Buffaloes win against an ACC opponent since the 1957 Orange Bowl.
The first quarter was sloppy for both teams. The Yellow Jackets missed a 34-yard field goal on its first possession of the game. The Buffaloes couldn’t capitalize, going three and out. Georgia Tech would fumble the ball on the next possession. With 4:12 left in the first quarter, DeKalon Taylor appeared to fumble and Georgia Tech returned it for a touchdown but the refs ruled him down. Georgia Tech would end up stopping Colorado at the one-yard line.
In the second quarter, Colorado scored the first points of the game when Micah Welch scored from five yards out for a 7-0 lead. The lead was short lived when Rahkeem Smith returned the kickoff for a 100-yard touchdown to even the score 7-7. For most of the quarter, both of the teams traded punts but Georgia Tech connected on a field goal to take a 10-7 lead into halftime. The third quarter was more of the same with three punts between the two teams.
In the fourth, Colorado had a 39-yard field goal attempt by Daniel Gerlach blocked. The Yellow Jackets would kick another field goal for a 13-7 lead. The Buffaloes would go 75 yards in eight plays to take the lead when quarterback Julian Lewis threw a 20-yard pass to Charlie Williams. Georgia Tech QB Alberto Mendoza found Dalen Penson for a 42-yard gain to
instantly put the Yellow Jackets in field goal range before coming up short.
Colorado Stats
Passing
Julian Lewis, 14/24 for 124 yards and a touchdown.
Rushing
Damian Henderson II, 12 carries for 65 yards.
Micah Welch, 13 carries for 58 yards and a touchdown.
Jaquail Smith, 10 carries for 42 yards.
Receiving
Deandre Moore Jr., 4 receptions for 37 yards.
Charlie Williams, 2 receptions for 28 yards and a touchdown.
Defense
Gideon Lampron, 7 tackles.
Randon Fontenette, 7 tackles.
Liona Lefau, 7 tackles.
Lamont Lester Jr., 5 tackles and 3 sacks.
Georgia Tech Stats
Passing
Alberto Mendoza, 17/23 for 237 yards.
Rushing
Justice Haynes, 19 carries for 64 yards.
Receiving
Jordan Allen, 8 receptions for 113 yards.
Dalen Penson, 3 receptions for 73 yards.
Defense
Kyle Efford, 13 tackles.
Taje McCoy, 11 tackles.
Savion Riley, 10 tackles.
Tawfiq Thomas, 7 tackles and a sack.
Up Next
Colorado hosts Weber State on September 12.
Georgia Tech hosts No. 20 Tennessee on September 12.
