Colorado Clobbers No. 14 Houston - University of Colorado Athletics

Friday, November 13

Boulder, Colo.

8:15 PM

Colorado

4-6 , 2-5

Houston

7-3 , 4-3

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Houston	3	17	0	12	32
Colorado	0	21	14	7	42

Stats Quotes Notes Highlights Postgame Presser

November 13, 2026 | Football

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By: Peighton Lemp, Athletic Communications Student Assistant

BOULDER – Big plays fueled the Colorado Buffaloes over No. 14 Houston in a 42-32 victory under Friday night lights at Folsom Field.

Colorado (4-6, 2-5 Big 12) gave up 10 early points to Houston (8-2, 6-2 Big 12) but took over the second and third quarters for its first win against a top-15 team since 2007.

"We played against a very outstanding team," Head Coach Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders said. "I'm thankful we're able to come out of there with a victory."

The Buffaloes exploded in the second quarter, scoring 21 of their 42 points and collecting 225 total yards, the most against an FBS opponent since a 258-yard third quarter against Nebraska in 2018.

CU had five different Buffaloes reach the end zone: running back Richard Young, running back DeKalon Taylor, running back JaQuial Smith, wide receiver Joseph Williams, and quarterback Kaneal Sweetwyne.

"We've been searching for explosiveness on offense," Sanders said. "Everybody showed up. Everybody was tremendously happy because many people got opportunities offensively."

Colorado found its legs, recording five rushing touchdowns and 249 rushing yards.

"We always preach in our running room, when one person eats, we all eat," Young said. "So we just feed off of each other."

Colorado took advantage of big plays. They recorded their fifth game with four or more touchdowns of 30 yards or more in CU history, the first since 2007.

The Buffaloes' defense held the Cougars down, collecting 67 tackles, including 47 solo. Colorado also forced two Houston turnovers in the second half. Safety Randon Fontenette caused a fumble and defensive back Boo Carter grabbed an interception.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Houston wasted no time out of the gate, marching to the red zone on its possession, thanks in part to a 4th-down conversion on its own 44 that extended the drive. Running back Makhi Hughes carried the ball for a 9-yard gain to the CU 13. Colorado slowed down the Cougars when it mattered, with a tackle by Fontenette and a quarterback hurry by defensive end Toby Anene. The Cougars had to settle for a 27-yard field goal, taking a 3-0 lead with 7:50 left in the first quarter.

On its next possession, Houston once again advanced down the field, this time finding the end zone thanks to an 8-yard rushing touchdown by Hughes, giving the Cougars a 10-0 advantage at the start of the second quarter.

Colorado finally found an offensive spark on their first possession of the 2nd. Wilson found wide receiver Ernest Campbell for 24 yards, placing the Buffaloes near midfield. Wilson was also effective with his feet, keeping the drive alive by scrambling for eight yards and a first down on Houston's 49-yard line. Young then slipped through the offensive line and broke free for a 48-yard touchdown to narrow the score, 10-7, with 9:25 left in the second.

Houston responded with a big run of its own as running back Re'Saun Sanford II ran for 40 yards to the CU 35. A Colorado penalty put the Cougars in the red zone, where they completed a four-yard touchdown to wide receiver Amare Thomas, extending their lead to 17-7 with 6:52 left in the half.

The Buffaloes defense slowed Houston down on the Cougars' next possession, due to a quarterback hurry by defensive end Yamil Talib, but were unable to keep them off the scoreboard, as Dimas executed a 52-yard field goal, extending the visitor's lead to 20-7.

On the third play of the ensuing Buffs drive, Taylor received a pitch from Wilson and turned on the jets for a 67-yard touchdown, closing Colorado's deficit to 20-14 with 1:49 left in the second quarter.

Houston was held to its first scoreless drive of the game with back-to-back tackles by Fontenette, giving CU possession with 51 seconds left on the clock. DeAndre Moore Jr. started the drive by returning the punt for 34 yards, giving Colorado incredible field position at its own 44-yard line. Wilson found Moore again for 13 yards, followed by an 11-yard catch by Williams. Smith then broke through for a 32-yard touchdown to give CU a 21-20 lead, its first of the game.

The Buffs ended the half with 161 yards rushing, the most in a single half during the Coach Prime Era, exceeding the previous single half record of 143 yards on the ground in the second half against Wyoming in 2025.

The Cougars intercepted a Wilson pass to open the second half, but Colorado got the ball back as Fontenette sacked Conner Weigman and knocked the ball loose, which defensive tackle Santana Hopper recovered at the CU 36-yard line.

Williams then caught a 9-yard pass from Wilson and sprinted down the field for a 52-yard touchdown, increasing CU's lead to 28-20.

The Buffs defense followed the offense's lead by immediately stopping the Cougars on 4th-and-1, giving CU the ball at its 34-yard line.

Wilson slung a 26-yard pass down the middle to Moore Jr., advancing to Houston's 30-yard line. Young's number was then called on three straight plays and the running back took advantage, racking up 15 yards to advance to the Houston 17. With the Buffaloes inside the red zone, Wilson was injured on an incomplete pass, forcing Sweetwyne into the game. The freshman signal-caller seized his opportunity, scrambling for a 14-yard touchdown that pushed CU ahead 35-20 with 5:26 remaining in the third quarter.

Carter picked up the Buffs' second turnover of the game when he intercepted a Weigman pass at CU's 44-yard line and returned it for three yards before stepping out of bounds. It was just Wiegman's third interception of the year and while CU did not convert any points from the turnover, the Buffaloes did get their starting quarterback back when Wilson returned to the game at the start of the fourth quarter.

The Cougars marched right back down the field, culminating with a 22-yard touchdown reception by tight end Patrick Overmyer. After the 2-point conversion failed, the Buffs held on to a 35-26 advantage with 10 minutes left in the game.

Colorado's offense kept rolling when tight end Charlie Williams caught a 25-yard pass from Wilson to put CU at Houston's three-yard line. Young then collected his second touchdown of the night, rushing it in from two yards out to give the Buffs a commanding 42-26 lead with 3:59 remaining.

Houston made one last gasp, scoring a 4-yard passing touchdown but once again, its 2-point conversion attempt was stifled, giving the Buffaloes the upset win.

UP NEXT: Colorado will face Cincinnati on Nov. 21 for their penultimate regular-season game in Cincinnati, Ohio. Kickoff time is slated for 10 a.m. MT and will be broadcast on ESPN+ as well as KOA 850 AM and 91.4 FM.

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