ATLANTA – In a thrilling season opener, Colorado’s freshman quarterback Julian Lewis showcased his talent in a dramatic finish, connecting with tight end Charlie Williams for a 20-yard touchdown with just 42 seconds left on the clock. This pivotal play secured a 14-13 victory against Georgia Tech on Thursday night, marking a promising start to the season for the Buffaloes.
Despite being behind for most of the second half, Coach Deion Sanders expressed unwavering confidence in his team. “If you’d know how many linemen grabbed me and said ‘I told y’all we got this, I told you we got this coach,’” Sanders remarked. His players’ belief in their capability was palpable, ultimately leading to a stunning comeback.
Lewis faced challenges throughout the game but rallied during critical moments. His efforts culminated in a lengthy 17-play, 61-yard drive, which, despite ending in a blocked field goal attempt, showcased his resilience. Georgia Tech briefly took the lead with a field goal, making it 13-7, but Lewis’s determination shone through as he orchestrated a two-minute drill that clinched the win.
“I talked to him at halftime in front of the whole team… I challenged him in front of the whole team,” Sanders explained, emphasizing the importance of support and belief in the young quarterback. Lewis responded admirably, completing 14 of 27 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown, despite a slow start in the first half where he managed only six completions for 41 yards.
The Buffaloes initially struck first when running back Micah Welch scored on a 5-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, giving Colorado a brief 7-0 lead. However, Georgia Tech quickly responded, with Rahkeem Smith returning a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown just 14 seconds later, marking an exciting moment for the Yellow Jackets.
In his debut, Georgia Tech’s quarterback Alberto Mendoza demonstrated promise, completing 17 of 23 passes for 237 yards. He exhibited agility and accuracy, notably evading defenders and delivering a 22-yard pass to Jordan Allen. Mendoza’s final drive included a significant 42-yard completion that positioned Georgia Tech for a potential game-winning field goal, only to be thwarted by a block from Boo Carter.
Colorado’s victory marks a significant moment, echoing their thrilling start to last season under Coach Sanders, where they also began with a win against TCU. The Buffaloes now look forward to building on this momentum as they prepare to host Weber State on September 12.
Conversely, Georgia Tech will aim to bounce back as they prepare to face No. 20 Tennessee on the same date. Despite the loss, the Yellow Jackets demonstrated flashes of brilliance that could bode well for their season.
As the season unfolds, both teams have reasons for optimism, with the Buffaloes showcasing youthful talent and resilience, while the Yellow Jackets appear to be building a competitive squad under pressure.
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