Stanford completes record rally, tops Colorado in 2 OTs

 

[October 14, 2023]  Joshua Karty kicked a game-tying field goal on the final play of regulation and booted the winning 31-yard field goal in the second overtime to give Stanford a dramatic 46-43 victory over Colorado in Pac-12 play on Friday night at Boulder, Colo.

The Cardinal trailed 29-0 at halftime before pulling off the biggest comeback win in program history.

Stanford quarterback Ashton Daniels completed 27 of 45 passes for 396 yards and four touchdowns, and Elic Ayomanor caught three scoring passes during a stellar performance while setting the school's single-game record for receiving yards.

Ayomanor had career-best figures of 13 receptions and 294 yards, including scoring plays of 97, 60 and 30 yards. The yardage surpassed the program mark set by Troy Walters in 1999, 278 yards vs. UCLA.

Bryce Farrell scored two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) as Stanford (2-4, 1-3 Pac-12) halted a four-game losing streak.

Shedeur Sanders completed 33 of 48 passes for 400 yards, five touchdowns and a costly interception for Colorado (4-3, 1-3). Xavier Weaver accounted for three scores for the Buffaloes.

Two-way Colorado standout Travis Hunter returned from a three-game absence caused by a lacerated liver to catch 13 passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Weaver caught seven passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns and also scored on a reverse.

After Karty's 46-yard field goal ended regulation, the Buffaloes had the ball first in overtime and scored on Sanders' 4-yard pass to Javon Antonio.

On Stanford's first possession, Ayomanor made an acrobatic 30-yard scoring grab, trapping off the upper back and helmet of Hunter before completing the catch.

Alaka'i Gilman intercepted Sanders in the end zone to end Colorado's second OT possession. A short time later, Karty's kick completed the comeback.

Colorado scored 29 unanswered points before Stanford exploded with the next 26. The Cardinal comeback started with Farrell scoring on a 2-yard run with 9:01 left in the third quarter to get the frenzy started.

Oct 13, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Stanford Cardinal punter Connor Weselman (15) celebrates defeating the Colorado Buffaloes in double overtime at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

A short time later, Stanford was backed up at its own 3-yard line and Ayomanor caught the ball 4 yards downfield and was in the clear. Colorado's Shilo Sanders gave chase but missed his diving tackle attempt at the Colorado 25 and Ayomanor completed the touchdown. A two-point pass failed, leaving the Cardinal down 29-12 with 6:18 left in the third quarter.

Just 93 seconds later, Ayomanor caught a 60-yard touchdown pass to bring Stanford within 10.

In the fourth quarter, Stanford backup quarterback Justin Lamson entered the game on first-and-goal from the 1 and scored on a keeper to move the Cardinal within 29-26 with 12:29 left in the game.

Colorado needed just 92 seconds to answer as Hunter caught a 16-yard scoring from Sanders to make it a 10-point margin. Stanford answered with Daniels' 3-yard scoring pass to Ferrell with 5:06 remaining.

Earlier, Sanders threw touchdown passes of 9 yards to Weaver and 24 to Hunter in the first 11:24 as the Buffaloes took a 14-0 lead.

Weaver caught a 39-yard scoring pass from Sanders and Caleb Fauria added a two-point run with 8:42 left in the second quarter. Weaver ran 14 yards on the reverse with 2:57 left in the half to make it 29-0.

--Field Level Media

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