Colorado pulled off one of the biggest comebacks of the opening week Thursday night, stunning Georgia Tech 14-13 at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta.
The Buffaloes trailed by six points late in the fourth quarter before finding the end zone in the final minutes to steal the victory. Colorado’s win avenged last season’s 27-20 loss to the Yellow Jackets and gave Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes a huge road victory to open the 2026 season.
A Wild Start
The game got off to a chaotic start, with both teams struggling to hold onto the football.
Georgia Tech appeared to have recovered a fumble and returned it 83 yards for a touchdown, but a replay review ruled that the play had been stopped before the ball came loose. The Yellow Jackets later stopped Colorado on fourth down at the 1-yard line, keeping the game scoreless.
Neither offense could find much rhythm in the opening quarter, and the teams entered the second period still tied at 0-0.
Colorado eventually broke through to take a 7-0 lead, but Georgia Tech answered immediately.
Special Teams Gives Tech Life
Rahkeem Smith provided one of the biggest plays of the night for Georgia Tech.
The fifth-year senior fielded the ensuing kickoff and raced 100 yards for a touchdown, tying the game at 7-7 and sending the sold-out Bobby Dodd Stadium crowd into a frenzy.
Georgia Tech would add another score before halftime, taking a 10-7 lead into the locker room.
The Yellow Jackets appeared to have control of the game, especially with their defense keeping Colorado’s offense from producing consistently.
Colorado’s Defense Keeps It Close
The second half turned into a defensive battle.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, allowing Georgia Tech to maintain its three-point advantage heading into the final period.
Tech eventually added another field goal to push its lead to 13-7, putting Colorado in a difficult position with the clock winding down.
But the Buffaloes refused to go away.
Buffaloes Complete the Comeback
Colorado finally found the breakthrough it needed in the final minutes.
The Buffaloes drove down the field and scored a late touchdown, taking a 14-13 lead and putting all the pressure on Georgia Tech.
The Yellow Jackets had an opportunity to respond, but Colorado’s defense held firm and secured the comeback victory.
The final score was Colorado 14, Georgia Tech 13.
A Brutal Loss for Georgia Tech
For Georgia Tech, this was a game that will be difficult to forget.
The Yellow Jackets led for much of the second half and appeared to be on their way to another victory over Colorado. Instead, a late collapse turned a potential opening-night win into a heartbreaking defeat.
Georgia Tech now falls to 0-1 and will have little time to dwell on the loss. The Yellow Jackets return to action next week against No. 20 Tennessee, giving Brent Key and his team an immediate opportunity to bounce back.
For Colorado, meanwhile, the victory provides an enormous early-season boost.
After going just 3-9 last season, the Buffaloes entered 2026 facing plenty of questions. A road win over a Georgia Tech team coming off a nine-win season gives Deion Sanders and Colorado exactly the kind of momentum they needed.
Colorado came to Atlanta looking for revenge. They left with a stunning comeback victory.
