BOULDER, Colorado — LaJohntay Wester caught a 43-yard Hail Mary from Shedeur Sanders outside of regulation and Travis Hunter forced a fumble at the 1-yard line in overtime and Colorado grabbed an improbable 38-31 victory over Baylor on a drizzly Saturday night.
Micah Welch’s short jumper in overtime gave the Buffaloes their first lead since the first quarter. Hunter, the Buffaloes’ standout two-way player, ripped the ball loose from Dominic Richardson at the goal line and the ball rolled out of the end zone. Fans stormed the field and knocked down a goal post before the referees confirmed the whistle.
On the final play of regulation, Sanders rolled to his left and threw a perfect pass to Wester, who shook off his defender and caught the ball as it fell to the turf. The referees upheld the catch after review, and Alejandro Mata kicked the extra point to force overtime.
The desperation throw by Sanders and the Buffaloes (3-1, 1-0 Big 12) comes three days before the 30th anniversary of the “Miracle at Michigan,” when the Buffaloes beat the Wolverines on Kordell Stewart’s 64-yard Hail Mary pass to Michael Westbrook. The nationally televised broadcast showed the 1994 play just seconds before Sanders passed to Wester.
Hal Presley made a one-handed catch for a 24-yard touchdown with 5:43 left to give Baylor (2-2, 0-1) the lead. The Bears had a chance to secure the win, but Isaiah Hankins’ 45-yard field goal attempt went wide right.
This set the stage for the heroics of Sanders, who passed for 341 yards. Hunter had seven catches for 130 yards.
Baylor delivered one big play after another on a drizzly night at Folsom Field, including Jamaal Bell’s 100-yard kickoff return. Sawyer Robertson threw two touchdown passes and ran for another on fourth-and-1 from the 45-yard line.
For the Buffaloes, their return to the Big 12 Conference was a success. They left the conference after the 2010 season to join the Pac-12, but returned this season.
Baylor: Hosts BYU on Saturday.
Colorado: On Saturday in Central Florida.
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