Recap: Stanford stuns CU Buffs in double overtime
BOULDER,CO October 13:Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders on the run against Stanford during the Pac-12 football game with Stanford and Colorado on October 13, 2023. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)
Colorado got the fast start it has been seeking for weeks.
The Buffaloes had a disastrous finish, however.
After coughing up a four-touchdown lead, the Buffaloes were stunned by Stanford, 46-43, in double overtime on Friday night at Folsom Field.
Joshua Karty drilled a 31-yard field goal to give Stanford the shocking victory.
Colorado (4-3, 1-3 Pac-12) jumped out to a 29-0 lead at halftime, but was unable to hang on against the Cardinal (2-4, 1-3).
Shedeur Sanders threw for 400 yards and five touchdowns, but his final pass was picked off in the second overtime.
A recap of the Buffs’ loss:
First quarter: For the first time since the season opener, the Buffs put points on the board on their opening possession. Shedeur Sanders led an impressive eight-play, 77-yard march, capping it with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Weaver. CU then forced a second straight Stanford punt and started at its own 15, but Sanders again got the offense clicking. He led a nine-play, 85-yard drive that culminated in a 24-yard touchdown pass to Travis Hunter. Score: Colorado 14, Stanford 0.
Second quarter: In a drive that started with 3 minutes, 36 seconds to play in the first, Stanford got to the CU 19-yard line, but Joshua Karty’s 37-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left with 11:30 to play in the quarter. CU took advantage and needed just seven plays to cover 80 yards for another touchdown. Sanders got nearly half of those yards with his 39-yard touchdown pass to Weaver. The Buffs then ran a fake on the extra point, with Caleb Fauria running in for two and a 22-0 lead. CU’s defense stuffed a fourth-down attempt by Stanford on its next possession, setting up the offense once again. Weaver finished a 66-yard drive with his third touchdown of the night, a 14-yard run. CU missed a chance to add to the lead when Alejandro Mata missed a 46-yard field goal in the last minute of the half. Score: Colorado 29, Stanford 0.
Third quarter: Whatever momentum CU brought into halftime was eliminated by Stanford in the third. CU opened the quarter with the ball and drove to the Stanford 45-yard line, but on a fourth-and-2 play, Sanders was sacked. Seven plays later, Stanford got on the board with a 2-yard touchdown run by Bryce Farrell. CU then punted, but Mark Vassett’s punt pinned the Cardinal at their own 3. On the next play, however, Stanford’s Ashton Daniels hit Elic Ayomanor for a 97-yard touchdown pass. CU went three-and-out on its next possession and Stanford struck again. Daniels found Ayomanor for a 60-yard touchdown pass that sliced the deficit to 29-19. Before the quarter ended, CU had a fourth-and-four at the Stanford 46 and Sanders was sacked and flagged for intentional grounding, allowing Stanford to take over at the CU 33-yard line. Score: Colorado 29, Stanford 19.
Fourth quarter: After taking over at the CU 33 late in the third, Stanford completed the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run by Justin Lamson, cutting the deficit to 29-26. The Buffs finally responded positively to a Stanford score. Sanders found Weaver downfield for 48 yards to the Cardinal 16. Two plays later, he connected with Hunter for a 16-yard touchdown pass to get the lead back to 10, at 36-26. Stanford wasn’t done, though, and went on a 13-play, 80-yard drive to score again, this time on a Daniels-to-Farrell 3-yard touchdown pass to pull within 36-33. CU was unable to answer and punted, but Vassett’s punt pinned the Cardinal at their 1. Daniels and the Cardinal weren’t fazed, however, driving 71 yards to set up Joshua Karty’s game-tying 46-yard field goal on the last play of regulation. Score: Colorado 36, Stanford 36.
First overtime: Sanders threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Javon Antonio to get overtime started, giving the Buffs the lead at 43-36. Stanford didn’t take long to respond, though, as Daniels found Ayomanor for a 30-yard touchdown over Hunter to tie the game again. Score: Colorado 43, Stanford 43.
