SAEDNEWS: Georgia Tech’s Haynes King ripped off 156 rushing yards, including a 45-yard go-ahead score with 1:07 left, as the Yellow Jackets edged Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes 27-20 in Boulder.
According to Saed News, Colorado’s loss came down to several self-inflicted wounds — missed opportunities, poor situational play, and a run defense that repeatedly failed to contain King — all culminating in a late 45-yard go-ahead run with 1:07 left that sealed the game.
From the opening series — when Georgia Tech sprung a 13-yard jet sweep — the Buffaloes struggled to find answers for King’s counter-read option. Weak run fits and missed assignments repeatedly gave King lanes to exploit; Colorado’s game plan appeared overly focused on stopping the Yellow Jackets’ running back at the expense of containing the quarterback. The inability to adjust to King’s mobility was the single biggest defensive failing of the night.
Kaidon Salter flashed dynamic playmaking ability — extending plays with his legs and connecting on an 8-yard touchdown to DeKalon Taylor — but inconsistency in the pocket and errant throws turned several promising drives into punts. When Salter extended plays effectively, the offense looked dangerous; too often, however, accuracy issues negated those gains and left the offense one-dimensional.
Colorado’s final possession exposed critical situational mistakes. With 1:07 to work and two timeouts, the Buffaloes ran just six plays — two of which were desperation Hail Marys — and allowed 30 seconds to run off the clock on a third down, leaving timeouts unused on the field. That failure to manage the clock efficiently eliminated the team’s best chance for a comeback and will be a coaching point moving forward.
The Buffaloes found traction on inside runs, most notably from Micah Welch, who averaged nearly six yards per carry on limited touches. When Welch received consistent reps, the offense moved the chains and opened play-action opportunities; the staff should consider leaning more on the inside ground game to create balance and protect Salter from forced throws
After questions about how the revamped defensive front would perform, Colorado’s pass rush delivered bursts of pressure and helped hold Georgia Tech’s aerial attack to modest totals. The line did let a few sack opportunities slip away and will need to refine timing and technique, but their overall ability to disrupt the pocket was a positive takeaway.
The loss leaves clear priorities: tighten run fits and defensive discipline to contain mobile quarterbacks like King; improve Salter’s accuracy and decision-making on extended plays; shore up late-game situational planning; and increase the workload for an effective inside rushing attack led by Welch. If Colorado addresses those areas quickly, the Buffaloes can convert close losses into wins as the season progresses.
