Sept. 3rd – at Georgia Tech – Pepto Bismol Buffs

CU defensive back Boo Carter blocked a 45-yard field goal attempt by Georgia Tech kicker Aidan Birr as time expired, giving the Buffs a 14-13 victory in Atlanta. CU quarterback Julian Lewis hit tight end Charlie Williams for a 20-yard touchdown with just 37 seconds remaining, but it took the blocked kick to give the Buffs their first road win since defeating Texas Tech in November of 2024 (0-7).

“We beat a really, really good team and a really, really good coaching staff,” Coach Prime said. “Our guys were resilient. I’m proud of them. I’m truly happy for them”.

The Buffs out-gained the Yellow Jackets, 307-288, but first year (redshirt freshman) quarterback Julian Lewis struggled before the winning drive in the last two minutes. Lewis finished with 14-of-27 completions, going for 124 yards and the winning touchdown. Before the final drive, however, Lewis was 10-of-21 for 64 yards.

“We never doubted Julian,” Charlie Williams said. “When we went into half we knew that we had his back. He’s a baller, and he’ll finish the game any way he can. It was good to Ju be able to finish a game like that.”

After giving up 320 yards rushing to Georgia Tech in the 27-20 loss in the 2025 season opener, the Buff defense surrendered only 51 yards on 30 carries to the Yellow Jackets. On CU’s side of the ledger, the Buffs ran for 183 yards, with the duties split fairly evenly between Damian Henderson (12 carries for 65 yards), Micah Welch (13 carries for 58 yards and a touchdown), and JaQuail Smith (10 carries for 42 yards).

“A great game. Entertaining game”, Coach Prime said. “I never flinched, man. I told several people on the sideline we’re going to make it very, very interesting, but we’re going to win this game. That’s just the faith I have in these young men and the coaching staff”.

As part of his preseason preparations, ESPN’s Bill Connelly put together a list of “Pepto Bismol All-Star” teams.

Connelly wrote:

Each year, certain teams play in an inordinate number of close games. Last season, for example, Army and Jacksonville State ended up in nine one-score finishes, and Arizona State, Arkansas State, Iowa State, Missouri State, Ohio, Ole Miss and Virginia played in eight.

According to my final preseason SP+ projections, there are a whopping 19 teams with at least eight games projected to finish within one score, including four with nine such games and two with 10!

You will be watching many of their fourth quarters.

Connelly’s list of teams with ten projected close games consisted of Army and Cal. Among the four teams with nine close game projections was dear ‘ol CU.

LSU leaves former NFL players off of Week One roster … Injunction granted to allow former NFL players to play – Meanwhile … SEC sues LSU for violating SEC rules … Week One Big 12 lines: 11 of 15 teams favored by at least four touchdowns …

CBS Sports: Coach Prime has meant a great deal to CU – Now it’s time to win football games … **Coach Prime meets with the media before leaving for Atlanta** … Will practicing against the “Go-Go” offense help prepare CU’s defense for Georgia Tech? … Projected CU starting lineups …

How does the ESPN Football Power Index see CU at Georgia Tech playing out? … Ten Ralphie factoids to impress your friends … Will CU coaching (or playing) experience help? … CU .500 all-time in road openers (but Buffs have lost last six on the road overall) …

Will Alberto Mendoza be as effective as his Heisman Trophy winning brother? … Can CU’s suspect defensive line stop Georgia Tech’s potential 1,000-yard rusher? … Will Brennan Marion’s “Go-Go” offense have a successful debut? … Let’s find out …

Five turnovers doom Buffs to an upset loss to open the 2001 season … The opening game loss (after a 3-8 campaign in 2000) brought out the pitchforks – Mark Kiszla: “CU on the brink of disaster” (some things never change) …