Colorado Upsets No. 14 Houston 42-32 for First Top-15 Win Since 2007

Richard Young ran for 99 yards and two touchdowns to lead Colorado to a 42-32 upset win over No. 14 Houston late Friday night.

The Buffs had their first victory over an AP top-15 team since 2007 at the right time. This comes after many have speculated if coach Deion Sanders was on the hot seat in Boulder.

The last time Colorado beat a team ranked that high was No. 3 Oklahoma on Sept. 29, 2007. Both wins came at home with fans pouring onto the field to celebrate.

The Buffs (4-6, 2-5 Big 12) need to win out to become bowl eligible. This was perhaps the biggest win of Sanders' tenure and put him at 20-27 overall since 2023.

After falling behind 20-7 in the first half, CU rattled off 28 unanswered points to take a 35-20 lead going into the fourth quarter. Smith led the way on the ground, but the offense amassed 466 yards with 249 on the ground, including a 67-yard touchdown run by DeKalon Taylor. This was the most rushing yards and touchdowns in five years for the Buffs.

Isaac Wilson threw for 217 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The Utah transfer has immersed the starting role since taking over four weeks ago.

CU offensive coordinator Brennan Marion came to Boulder to implement the “Go-Go” offense and this was the first time all year the scheme appeared to be fully functioning. The Buffs came into the game averaging 19.8 points per game, which was the worst in the Big 12. Needless to say, the ground attack has turned a corner with four explosive touchdowns of at least 30 yards.

Wilson briefly left the game with an apparent leg injury with five minutes left in the third quarter. Kaneal Sweetwyne entered the game and picked up his first career rushing score from 14 yards out, extending the Buffs lead to 35-20.

On the next drive, the Cougars got a score to keep the game from getting out of hand. Conner Weigman found Patrick Overmyer for a 22-yard score. However, Houston was stopped on the two-point attempt to make it 35-26. The teams traded scores for the eventual final.

Weigman threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns and an interception.

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Sanders would be dishonest if he said he didn't need this win. This was a signature victory when he needed it the most. There has been pressure building all week about his future at Colorado and if the school could afford his $26 million buyout. While this is only one win, Coach Prime has silenced the critics for now.

Colorado has won back-to-back conference home games for the first time since the 2024 season, when Sanders was coaching his sons, Shedeur and Shilo, along with Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter.

Up next

Colorado will try to keep their bowl hopes alive at Cincinnati on Nov. 21.