Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
How can you not be romantic about college football?
College football, when done absolutely right, is one of the most chaotic sports in the world. Teenagers making batshit crazy plays with nobody knowing if it’s good for their own team or will be the reason they lose.
The ending to Colorado and Baylor is the perfect example of this and the reason why the sport will continue on despite the best efforts of suits in the booster boxes. After being sacked four times on five plays on Colorado’s final drive, QB Shedeur Sanders led the Buffaloes down into Hail Mary zone. The first deep throw they tried, Sanders put right on the money, but WR Will Sheppard dropped the ball:
On the final play of the game, Sanders worked his magic, finding wideout LaJohntay Wester in the endzone for one of the most impressive plays you’ll see all season, tying the game at 31.
A few things to unpack here on this incredible play:
1 . This throw by Sanders is one of the most impressive you’ll see all season from any QB. Rolling to his left, pressure closing in, Sanders uncorks a missile that he puts in the only spot his receiver can get, and Wester makes an incredible play to haul this one in without it hitting the ground.
2. This is incredibly poor Hail Mary coverage by Baylor. Why is the corner at the top of the screen in press coverage, where the chances of getting run past are so much higher? Why does the blitzer, instead of keeping Sanders in the pocket by blitzing to the edge, run directly into the teeth of the Colorado offensive line? You lose contain on Sanders and he can go do this.
The Buffaloes hit the extra point and take it to overtime, where they score to take the lead. Baylor is driving, and RB Dominic Richardson dives to put the ball over the goal line. However, superstar corner Travis Hunter makes a great play to force the fumble, ending the game and sealing a roaring Buffalo comeback.
This is what makes college football awesome. Moments like this, the absolute scenes of Colorado making the comeback and winning despite not being able to keep their QB upright for the whole game. I’m not sure where the Buffaloes go after this, but this game will be remembered for a long time. For Baylor, it’s looking like the sun’s getting low for head coach Dave Aranda. Since winning the Big 12 in 2021, he’s gone 11-18 and the offense has completely cratered each year. The defense still has its’ moments, but the team just doesn’t have it, and I’m not sure how long Aranda has before the cord has to be cut.
Either way, an incredible end to an incredibly chaotic game. Nothing like college football.
