Colorado vs. Stanford final score, results: Deion Sanders' Buffaloes collapse as Cardinal complete 29-point comeback win in 2OT

David Suggs

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Colorado vs. Stanford final score, results: Deion Sanders' Buffaloes collapse as Cardinal complete 29-point comeback win in 2OT image

In the words of legendary Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe, things fall apart. For Colorado and its famed head coach Deion Sanders, these words rang especially true on Friday night.

For two quarters, the Buffaloes looked every bit the menacing outfit that had the captured the glare of the college football world. They raced out to a 29-0 lead over a weary Stanford side, looking poised to secure their first real blowout win of the Sanders era.

MORE: How Travis Hunter performed in first game back from lacerated liver

But the Cardinal just wouldn't quit. And fueled by a career showing by wide receiver Elic Ayomanor — as well as a steady stream of Colorado mishaps — Stanford strung together its greatest-ever rally, vanquishing the Buffaloes in double overtime, 46-43.

The first half was a track meet, speckled with glitzy plays from Colorado's finest. Shedeur Sanders was his usual efficient self, putting the ball on a string to his wide array of targets. Xavier Weaver left his mark, as did Travis Hunter, who notched his first-career FBS score in his first game back from the lacerated liver injury he suffered vs. Colorado State.

Things played out about as well as planned in the first half. Weaver and Hunter took turns laying waste to the Cardinal's weary backline, while Sanders emerged from a tangle of legs time and time again. He gave the college football universe a chance to gaze into the puzzle that was his running ability. More often than not, it came up trumps.

The second half was a different story, though. And so much of that was down to Ayomanor, who was unveiled upon one of college football's more ill-disciplined units like a maelstrom. Ayomanor tore Colorado's secondary — and especially Hunter — to shreds. The numbers bore out his dominance: 13 catches, 294 yards and three scores, one of which involved him quite literally reaching over Hunter and using his opposition marker's frame to pin down the ball.

Ayomanor wasn't the only hero. Ashton Daniels laid claim to the staring spot under center, stringing together a Sanders-like display. He went 27-of-45 completions for 396 yards and four touchdowns, finding a rhythm amid a trail of despondent defenders.

The Buffs had chances to put the game on ice. But once the pressure started to mount, things started to unravel. Soon it was the Cardinal's turn to be on the ascendancy. A chip shot in double overtime relegated Colorado to a third defeat of the season, this one the hardest to stomach of the bunch. It's one thing losing to ranked opposition. It's another to fall prey to a team on a four-game losing streak. Coach Prime still has quite the job on his hands.

MORE: Watch college football games live with Fubo (free trial)

The Sporting News tracked live updates and highlights from college football's Week 7 game between Colorado and Stanford. Follow below as TSN tracked all the action from Folsom Field in Boulder on Friday night.

Colorado vs. Stanford score

  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT F
Colorado 14 15 0 7 7 43
Stanford 0 0 19 17 10 46

Colorado vs. Stanford results, highlights from Week 7 game

(All times Eastern)

2:10 a.m.: FIELD GOAL! Josh Karty sinks the 31-yarder! And the Cardinal shock the world, rallying from 29 down to vanquish Colorado on the road!

Stanford 46, Colorado 43

2:08 a.m.: INTERCEPTION! Broken play comes up trumps for Stanford! The Cardinal reclaim possession after Sanders throws a wounded duck into the end zone. All Stanford needs is a field goal to win this one. And it has one of the best place-kickers in the country waiting in the wings.

2:07 a.m.: Two straight run plays come up short of the Buffs. Third and goal for Colorado. Major play here.

2:05 a.m.: Pass interference call brings Colorado on the brink of another score, it seems. Ball is place on Stanford's two-yard line.

2:00 a.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Ayomanor does it again. Picks out Daniels' throw with impunity, capturing the ball over a beleaguered Hunter. That's his 13th catch of the day. He has 294 yards and three touchdowns. What a display.

Colorado 43, Stanford 43

1:58 a.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Sanders hits Javon Antonio from short distance to open up the scoring in overtime!

Colorado 43, Stanford 36

1:55 a.m.: Colorado will start the overtime period with the ball!

End of fourth quarter: Colorado 43, Stanford 43

1:50 a.m.: FIELD GOAL! Stanford levels the game with a field goal in the final moments! We are headed to overtime!

1:44 a.m.: Vassett puts the ball in a perfect spot, forcing Stanford to start its drive at its own one-yard line. 50 yards in the blink of an eye. How impressive.

1:42 a.m.: Sanders misses a wide open Hunter on third down. That stops the clock and means Colorado will boot the ball back to Stanford with a little under three minutes left.

1:39 a.m.: For the first time in the game, Colorado is putting the ball on the ground for a prolonged period. The Buffs are putting their faith in Edwards to get them out the mire. He's doing pretty well for himself thus far, moving the chains with a bruising run through the tackles on third down.

1:31 a.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Another 12 men on the field penalty extends a Stanford possession inside the red zone. And what do you know, mental mistakes get punished: Daniels finds Bryce Farrell on the fade route to bring the Cardinal within three.

Colorado 36, Stanford 33

1:26 a.m.: Daniels has evolved before our very eyes. Came into the game as a secondary option under center. There's no doubt that he's earned the starting gig with this display, however. Just completed a pass to Tiger Bachmeier to eclipse the 300-yard plateau for the day. Cardinal are surging towards the end zone.

1:23 a.m.: Ayomanor is eating. He just broke the double-century mark with a catch and scamper. Did we mention he only has five catches on the day?

1:15 a.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Hunter redeems himself with a wonderful grab through traffic to give Colorado a little breathing room. The two-way star took a major shot on the rib cage but still showed his composure, snagging Sanders' fastball for his second score of the game. He's up to 11 catches for 126 yards today. Hunter has had his difficulties on the defensive side of the ball. But there's no denying that he has been a whirling dervish with the ball in his grasp.

Colorado 36, Stanford 26

1:13 a.m.: Sanders' cannon arm finally comes to life in the second half. He connects with Weaver once more, this time netting 48 yards to put Colorado on the brink of the goal line..

1:07 a.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Lamson takes it in from short range. An epic collapse by the Buffaloes, who have given up 26 unanswered points in the second half. Yikes.

Colorado 29, Stanford 26

1:06 a.m.: Stanford on the cusp of the end zone after another chunk play...and some more penalties by Colorado's defense. This is just so so very bad right now.

1:03 a.m.: The Buffaloes looked on pace to finally get themselves off the field. But Hunter incur yet another penalty, this time via a Hunter unnecessary roughness. Automatic first down which should set the Cardinal well inside the red zone. 12 penalties thus far for Colorado. Pitiful discipline by Deion Sanders' side today.

End of third quarter: Colorado 29, Stanford 19

12:52 a.m.: TURNOVER ON DOWNS! Colorado's porous offensive line gets overran once more, forcing Sanders into an incompletion. An intentional grounding call brings the Cardinal deep into Buffaloes territory. And with the way this defense has looked the past two possessions, that could bring with it a slew of points, too.

12:46 a.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Ayomanor does it again, this time with Hunter matched up against him! Evades his opposite number with relative ease before taking it the distance after fielding a feather from Daniels. Just like that, the Cardinal are firmly back in this one! The Buffs need to stop the bleeding sooner rather than later.

Colorado 29, Stanford 19

12:43 a.m.: Stanford coaxes a three-and-out from Colorado's shell-shocked attack. Sanders surprisingly opts to boot the ball back to the Cardinal on fourth-and-one. Vassett's subsequent drive is more of a pooch than anything else, setting up Stanford on Colorado's 38-yard line.

12:40 a.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Ayomanor frolics into the promised land, blowing beyond his marker before taking it a whopping 97 yards to the house on the very first play of the drive. The Cardinal have put a major gash into Colorado's lead, even as their two-point effort falls short.

Colorado 29, Stanford 12

12:36 a.m.: Sanders conjured some magic inside — and outside — the pocket. But his throw to Hunter caroms off the turf. First punt of the game on the horizon for the Buffaloes. And it's a beauty: Mark Vassett drops a pearler onto the Cardinal's three-yard line. Every facet of the game is coming up milhouse for Colorado at the moment.

12:31 a.m.: TOUCHDOWN! The Cardinal finally get themselves on the board courtesy of a Bryce Farrell TD. Their subsequent two-point conversion falls short. But Stanford have finally broken through. At least somewhat.

Colorado 29, Stanford 6

12:22 a.m.: Another 12 men on the field penalty for the Buffaloes, which gives Stanford another shot at the end zone on third and goal. Can they hold firm and preserve the shutout, save for another play?

12:16 a.m.: TURNVOER ON DOWNS! Curious decision by Coach Prime and Co., ho opt to go for it on fourth and short. The Cardinal stuff the play with a blitz. Now, they'll get a chance to cut into that Buffaloes lead. Stanford will start its drive at Colorado's 42.

End of second quarter: Colorado 29, Stanford 0

11:34 p.m: TOUCHDOWN! Weaver scampers his way to the house once more. Tiptoed the ball into pay dirt after fielding a handoff from Sanders. That's his third score of the game. This one is turning into a mauling.

Colorado 29, Stanford 0

11:33 p.m.: Hunter's return has been faultless. Picks up a block from Weaver and skewers that Cardinal backline for 21 yards. When he gets the ball, he makes things happen. It's that simple.

11:28 p.m.: TURNOVER ON DOWNS! Daniels gets stuffed just as the Cardinal make a foray into Colorado's territory. Execution has been lacking for Stanford thus far. Can't do that against a buzzsaw like that Buffaloes offense.

11:17 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Blink and you'd miss it: Sanders drops a package into Weaver's lap from distance, taking advantage of some broken coverage to extend Colorado's lead. This drive had a little bit of everything: Sanders' artistic legwork, plenty of Hunter targets and catches and, lastly, a highlight-reel score. This one is on the precipice of getting out of hand.

Oh, and the Buffaloes added two points on the conversion. Delightful.

Colorado 22, Stanford 0

11:13 p.m.: Sanders is really embracing the chaos. The Colorado signal-caller is making the defense toss and turn with his legs as well as his arm. Just exploded for another 15 yards on the scramble. He already has 71 rushing yards on six carries today.

11:10 p.m.: Colorado's defense holds! The Buffaloes force Daniels into the turf with a menacing pass rush. And Stanford can't even capitalize while in scoring position, seeing its subsequent field goal attempt stray wide. When it rains, it pours.

11:08 p.m.: Penalties have been a scourge on the Buffaloes defense throughout the year. And those issues reared their ugly heads once more, with Colorado giving up precious territory after being called for an illegal hands to the face indiscretion. The Cardinal are inside Colorado's 10-yard line.

11:04 p.m.: Lamson bursts through the hole for another 10. The Cardinal are about 15 yards outside the red zone at present. Solid third drive from the 1-4 side.

End of first quarter: Colorado 14, Stanford 0

10:58 p.m.: Slowly but surely the Cardinal are making their way down the field. Just crossed midfield. And they should be further; the refs missed a clear-cut horse collar penalty that would have brought them even closer to the promised land.

10:49 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Hunter's marks his return with a flourish! He marauded his way to the end zone after Sanders fired an arrow into his grasp. Spins past his marker before taking it to the house! What a play! What a player! What a return! That's his first career FBS touchdown! And he did it in style!

Colorado 14, Stanford 0

10:44 p.m.: Colorado's supporting cast is making the flat their runway. Three straight first downs, all of which featured mammoth gains after the grab from each respective pass-catcher. The Buffaloes are surging.

10:40 p.m.: The Cardinal missed a big chance just there! Ashton Daniels hit the speedy Elic Aymanor with a delicate feather, one that left Hunter sitting in the dust. But the ball goes through Aymanor's hands before falling harmlessly to the ground. Can't make those mistakes against a team of Colorado's talent, especially in a raucous atmosphere like Folsom Field. Ball headed back to the Buffs for possession No. 2.

10:39 p.m.: Stanford can consider itself lucky! Lamson put the ball on the turf, but scooped things up quickly to save itself from a disastrous giveaway in Cardinal territory.

10:38 p.m.: ...and they do...just barely. Justin Lamson slips through the cracks to move the chains.

10:36 p.m.: Shilo Sanders leaving his mark thus far. A pair of crunching hits stifle the Cardinal. They'll have to get things done on third down to keep their burgeoning drive alive...

10:30 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Colorado strikes first courtesy of a Sanders' dart to Xavier Edwards! The Buffs looked like a well-oiled machine on their opening possession. And it pays off with a sumptuous score.

Colorado 7, Stanford 0

10:27 p.m.: Shedeur Sanders busts through the line of scrimmage, scampering some 38 yards to bring Colorado deep into Stanford territory! The gifted gunslinger isn't known for his proclivity with his legs. But he showed off the vigor he can run with when space opens up for him on that play.

10:25 p.m.: The Cardinal's drive fizzles out amid a string of incompletions. The Buffaloes will get the ball back via punt.

10:20 p.m.: And we're off! Stanford starts with the ball at the 25.

10:00 p.m.: Colorado is locked in. Pairing the gold lids with black kits for the first time this year. We're only moments away from the start of tonight's game.

9:45 p.m.: Big opportunity for Stanford unveil itself on the big stage. The Cardinal will be searching for blood tonight.

9:00 p.m.: How nice is it to see Hunter return to the field? It's been a long time coming. Looks like he has an entourage around him, as well.

8:40 p.m.: Looking in mid-season form...

8:30 p.m.: Travis Hunter’s return is but a few moments away. We are all witnesses…

How to watch Colorado vs. Stanford

  • Date: Friday, Oct. 13
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET (8 p.m. local time)
  • Location: Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado
  • TV channel: ESPN
  • Live stream: ESPN+, Fubo

Friday's clash between the Buffaloes and the Cardinal earned primetime billing, kicking off at 10 p.m. ET (8 p.m. local time) from Folsom Field in Boulder. ESPN will handle the coverage for Friday's affair. Cord-cutters can find all the action on ESPN+ or Fubo, which offers a free trial.

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.