Colorado head coach Deion Sanders made light of an offseason narrative that suggested the Buffaloes were an undersized team that couldn't stop the run.
"We rushed for (183 yards), my God ... they rushed for 51 ... I thought we were small?" Deion laughed while telling reporters during his postgame press conference following a 14-13 victory over Georgia Tech.
Sanders added: "I never flinched, man. I told several people on the sideline that we're going to make it very, very interesting. But we're going to win this game. That's just the faith I have in these young men and the coaching staff."
The storyline entering the contest was Georgia Tech's potential to outgain Colorado on the ground, led by the Yellow Jackets' one-two punch of Justice Haynes and Malachi Hosley. Colorado surrendered the most rushing yards (2,670) of any Power 4 team last season, according to TruMedia.
However, Sanders' defense held Georgia Tech to just 1.7 yards per rush. Haynes, who was the Yellow Jackets' prized portal acquisition, finished the game with 19 carries for 64 yards and no touchdowns. He was held to under 100 yards just once in seven games at Michigan last year.
Colorado's defense also got after Georgia Tech quarterback Alberto Mendoza, as Monmouth transfer Lamont Lester Jr. recorded three sacks and a 25% pressure rate for the Buffaloes.
The Buffaloes were down 13-7 with under two minutes remaining before scoring a touchdown with 37 seconds on the clock to take the lead. Mendoza led Georgia Tech to Colorado's 27-yard line on the next possession, but their game-winning field goal was blocked to secure the win for Sanders.
Julian Lewis, who is now in his first full season as Colorado's starting quarterback, hit tight end Charlie Williams for a 20-yard touchdown to cap off their final drive.
Julian Lewis delivers in the clutch🧊pic.twitter.com/gBXYtlUn0A
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 4, 2026
Former five-star recruit Lewis struggled in the first half, but Sanders never lost trust in his young quarterback.
"I talked to (Lewis) at halftime in front of the whole team," Sanders said. "I told the whole team, 'Let's go. You're that man. We believe in you. Let's go.' And you know, I challenged him in front of the whole team. And he went and did his thing ... He took advantage of the moment. He didn't shrink in it."
Colorado will look to build on its season-opening victory with a visit from Weber State at Folsom Field in Boulder on Sept. 12.
