BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Joshua Karty connected on a 31-yard field goal in the second overtime after tying the game in regulation, Elic Ayomanor had a school-record 294 yards receiving and Stanford rallied from a 29-point halftime deficit for a 46-43 victory over Colorado early Saturday.
It was the largest blown lead in Colorado history and the biggest comeback for the Cardinal.
Safety Alaka’i Gilman picked off a floating Shedeur Sanders pass in the end zone to set the stage for Karty, who also drilled a 46-yarder with no time left in regulation.
The Cardinal (2-4, 1-3 Pac-12) trailed 29-0 at halftime, with QBs Justin Lamson and Ashton Daniels unable to light a spark.
That is, until the second half when Daniels — with Lamson contributing — led Stanford on eight straight scoring drives. The Cardinal had 408 of their 523 yards in the second half and OT.
Daniels threw for 396 yards and four TDs. Ayomanor had 13 catches and three TDs, including one to tie up the first overtime and another for 97 yards that changed the game. His 294 yards receiving broke the record held by Troy Walters (278) against UCLA in 1999.
“It’s a special game for these guys to be down 29-nothing against a really good football team and just not quit,” first-year Stanford coach Troy Taylor said. “We’ll enjoy this one.”
Colorado committed 17 penalties for 127 yards in a game that started at 8:20 p.m. local time and ended at 12:21 a.m.
“From youth on, I don’t remember being up 29-0 and losing a football game,” coach Deion Sanders said. “I really don’t. This is a little tough for me.”
The biggest blown lead for Colorado before Stanford was 28 at Kansas on Nov. 6, 2010.
Sanders finished with 400 yards passing and five touchdowns and rushed for a team-leading 37 yards. The Buffaloes (4-3, 1-3) got going early by amassing a 29-0 lead. It looked over on Friday the 13th.
It wasn't.
“We have no choice but to go forward. That's life,” Deion Sanders said. “We didn't expect that. ... We can't sit down and have no pity party."
Two-way standout Travis Hunter returned after missing three games following a late hit in the Colorado State game that sent him to the hospital with a lacerated liver. He had 13 catches for 140 yards and two scores. He also had five tackles.
THE TAKEAWAY
Stanford: The Cardinal snapped a seven-game conference skid.
Colorado: Defense continues to be an issue. The Buffaloes are allowing nearly 36 points a game.
UP NEXT
Stanford: The Cardinal host No. 18 UCLA on Oct. 21.
Colorado: The Buffaloes have a bye week before traveling to UCLA to face the Bruins on Oct. 28.
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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll
