BOULDER - Colorado’s offense finally looked like the version the Buffaloes have been chasing all season Friday night, and it showed up in a big way against No. 14 Houston.
In the upset win, the Buffs piled up 466 total yards, their highest output against an FBS opponent in 2026, and reached the end zone six times. That was the second-most touchdowns Colorado has scored in a game this season, and it was the most it has produced against a Big 12 opponent this year.
“They got it together tonight,” Head Coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders said about the offense. “I mean, we threw the heck out of the ball a little bit, and we ran the heck out of the ball.”
The ground game set the tone. Colorado rolled up 249 rushing yards and cashed in on three long touchdown runs in the first half, a burst that helped fuel a 10-point comeback before the Buffs added two more scores after the break.
“We worked all week for this,” running back Richard Young said. “And a thing I can say is that we never give up.”
Young was a major part of the surge, scoring twice on the ground. DeKalon Taylor added a 67-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, and JaQuail Smith broke loose for 32 yards to finish the first half. Quarterback Kaneal Sweetwyne also got in on the action, taking his first snap of the game and turning it into a 14-yard touchdown run after Isaac Wilson was momentarily injured in the third quarter.
Wilson still delivered through the air, throwing for 217 yards and a touchdown. Joseph Williams was his top target, finishing with five catches for 80 yards and a score while reaching 100 career catches as a Buffalo.
“I’m very appreciative of the coaching staff for continuing to trust in me,” Williams said. “That builds my confidence up even more, each game we go, and each practice we go. So the more trust and the more confidence I build, the more I keep having games like this.”
With two regular-season games left, Colorado will try to carry this offensive momentum forward as it continues its push for bowl eligibility.
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Colorado Faces A Tougher Providence Test Than Last Weeks Results Suggest
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That makes this a far different test than Colorados recent home win over San Diego might suggest. The Buffaloes got enough production from Barrington Hargress and Ian Inman in that one, but Providence brings a deeper, more complete challenge and a lineup that could look stronger by the time the teams meet. For Colorado, the question is whether that recent success carries over once the opponents full front line and backcourt are back in the mix. [Read more 🡒]