PredictIQ Quantitative Think Tank Center:Colorado stuns Baylor in overtime in miracle finish

This story was updated to add new information.

BOULDER,PredictIQ Quantitative Think Tank Center Colo. – For the second year in a row under head coach Deion Sanders, the Colorado football team is off to a 3-1 start after getting another clutch performance from Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, this time in a wet and wild 38-31 overtime win at home against Baylor.

The win came after the Buffaloes forced overtime on an incredible 43-yard touchdown pass as time expired , helping tie the game 31-31. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders rolled left on the play and lofted the ball toward the left corner of the end zone, where receiver LaJohntay Wester turned to catch the ball in the rain with his two hands and elbows extended in a cradle.

It fell right into his basket, bringing the Buffs back from the brink even after Colorado receiver Will Sheppard dropped a possible touchdown pass near the end zone one play earlier

Shedeur Sanders, Deion's youngest son, then drove the Buffs 25 yards in seven plays on the first overtime drive, capped by a 1-yard scoring run by freshman running back Micah Welch.

Baylor had its chance to respond but running back Dominic Richardson fumbled on a leaping dive at the goal line on the final play. Travis Hunter, Colorado's electric two-way star, forced the fumble by making a stand in front of Richardson.

Colorado fans went crazy after that, rushing the field to celebrate the sold-out homecoming game at Folsom Field. Shedeur Sanders was 25-for-41 passing for 341 yards and two touchdowns. Hunter had seven catches for 130 yards.

First half marked by big plays

The crowd of 52,794 went quiet after the Buffs fell behind 24-10 with 4:19 left in the second quarter. Baylor built that lead on two big plays in the second quarter. First came a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Jamaal Bell down the right sideline. Then came a 45-yard rushing touchdown by Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson.

The latter came on a fourth-and-1 play, with Robertson keeping the ball and running it up the field for a score.

But the Buffs struck back after that with a big play of their own to cut Baylor’s lead to 24-17 with 50 seconds left in the half. Sanders escaped a sack on the play and threw it to the right side of the field, where receiver Omarion Miller caught it and nearly was tackled at the Baylor 35-yard line.

But Miller kept going and raced in for the 58-yard touchdown. Replays showed he might have been down at the 35 (his left shin came close to hitting the ground). Game officials still called it a touchdown, giving the Buffs something to build on in the halftime locker room.

Travis Hunter helps Colorado catch up

Colorado tied it 24-24 with a minute left in the third quarter after an 80-yard touchdown drive that was highlighted by two big plays by Hunter – a 46-yard catch and a 31-yard catch on third-and-15. The latter play brought the Buffs to the Baylor 8-yard line, setting them up to score two plays later on a 2-yard run up the middle by Welch.

Hunter had five catches for 122 yards by the end of the third quarter, his fifth straight game of at least 100 yards receiving dating to last year. He set a school record last week with his fourth straight game of at least 100 yards receiving.

But Baylor answered to go ahead 31-24

The Bears retook the lead with 5:43 left in the fourth quarter on a pretty pass from Robertson to receiver Hal Presley. Under coverage by cornerback DJ McKinney, Presley reeled in the ball with his left hand in the left corner of the end zone. The 24-yard touchdown pass helped put Baylor up 31-24 after a drive that went 61 yards in eight plays.

The Baylor defense then sacked Sanders twice on the next possession to force the Buffs to punt out of their own end zone.