Colorado vs. Stanford score: Cardinal cap largest comeback in school history to upset Buffs in 2OT thriller

Colorado was up 29-0 at the half before Stanford pulled off the stunner on Friday

Stanford rallied from a 29-point halftime deficit to stun Deion Sanders and Colorado 46-43 in double overtime on the road to cap the largest comeback in program history. The victory also snapped a seven-game conference losing streak for the Cardinal that dated back to last season.

After Stanford forced a Shedeur Sanders interception in the second overtime period, Cardinal kicker Joshua Karty drilled a 31-yard field goal to seal the improbable comeback win. Karty had previously made a 46-yard field goal at the end of regulation to send the game to overtime. 

In a matchup full of stars, it was Stanford wide receiver Elic Ayomanor who stole the show. Ayomanor finished with 13 catches for 294 yards and three touchdowns while primarily being guarded by Colorado star cornerback Travis Hunter, who was making his return after missing three game with a lacerated liver. Ayomanor, who came into the night with 207 career receiving yards, scored a 30-yard touchdown from backup quarterback Ashton Daniels to send the game to double overtime.

Daniels connected with Ayomanor for a 97-yard touchdown to start the rally in the second half. On the next drive, Daniels found him again for a 60-yard score. 

Despite the loss, Hunter's comeback could largely be deemed successful as the two-way star finished with a team-high 13 catches for 140 yards and scored the first two touchdowns of his FBS career. 

Shedeur Sanders, meanwhile, tossed two touchdowns to Hunter and two more scores to Xavier Weaver. Coach Prime's son completed 33 of 48 passes for 400 yards and five touchdowns, but his interception in overtime ultimately cost his team the game.

The Buffaloes came into the game seeking a win that would help them inch one step closer toward bowl eligibility for the first time since 2016, and now that goal seems bleak. Colorado has a bye week before traveling to Los Angeles to face UCLA on Oct. 28, while Stanford hosts the same Bruins team next weekend in Palo Alto, California.

[Oct 14, 2023 at 1:54 am ET · Cameron Salerno]

Overtime

End 4Q: Colorado 36, Stanford 36

Stanford kicker Joshua Karty drilled a 46-yard field goal at the end of regulation to send this game to overtime. Colorado led 29-0 at the half before the Cardinal erased a huge deficit. Overtime is up next in Boulder.

[Oct 14, 2023 at 1:16 am ET · Cameron Salerno]

Colorado answers 

Early 4Q: Colorado 36, Stanford 26

After Stanford scored 26 unanswered points in the second half, Colorado responded. Sanders connected with Hunter on a 16-yard touchdown to extend Colorado's lead to 10 with 11:18 left. Hunter has a team high 11 catches for 126 yards.