Grading Colorado football's dramatic Week 1 win over Georgia Tech

This is not last season's Colorado Buffaloes. After losing to Georgia Tech on a last-minute touchdown in the season opener last year, the Buffaloes got their revenge this season with an eight-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to take the lead with just 37 seconds left in the game. Then, defensive back Boo Carter blocked Georgia Tech's 45-yard field goal as time expired to secure the 14-13 win for the Buffaloes.

By no means was this a clean game to watch. As with most college football season openers, there were numerous sloppy plays and areas Colorado needs to improve on as the season progresses. But the Buffaloes clearly established what their identity will look like throughout the season.

Here is the report card from the Buffaloes' Week 1 win:

Quarterback

Grade: C+

This was not a good debut for quarterback Julian Lewis for most of the game. He was off-target on multiple deep shots, although his decision-making was solid the entire game. The ball was never in danger, but he also did not throw it very far downfield for most of the game. On Colorado's second-to-last drive before the end of the first half, he fumbled the ball and ultimately lost 15 yards on third and four. But he showed up when the Buffaloes needed him on their final drive of the game. He converted a crucial third and 11 to keep Colorado's drive going and threw it perfectly to tight end Charlie Williams for the game-winning score. There is a lot Lewis needs to improve on, but there were also positive flashes, especially on that final drive.

Running Backs

Grade: A+

Last season, Georgia Tech's running backs dominated the game. This year, Colorado's running backs were the story of the game. CU did not have a single back that finished with more than 65 rushing yards, allowing the Buffs to keep their run game fresh and continue to wear down the Yellow Jackets' defensive line. Running back Dekalon Taylor had a crucial 16-yard carry that got the Buffaloes into the red zone on their touchdown drive. Micah Welch ran the ball hard and forced some missed tackles, and Damian Henderson II, who ended up being Colorado's leading rusher, also had a good day. Colorado does not win this game without the impressive play of their running backs, and this game proved the running back group will be the backbone of the Buffaloes' offense this year.

Receivers and Tight Ends

Grade: C-

Not much was asked of the receivers and tight ends outside of blocking. However, when your quarterback is struggling, it is the job of the pass catchers to bring him up. That is not what the receivers and tight ends did in this game for the most part. There were numerous drops, and DeAndre Moore Jr only caught four passes despite being targeted nine times. But they did come through on the final drive and were a crucial part of the win, with tight end Charlie Williams catching the 20-yard game-winner. Still, Colorado is going to need their leading receiver to have more than 37 receiving yards in the rest of their games this season.

Offensive Line

Grade: A-

For the most part, the offensive line was stellar, which is surprising given they are all new this season. Lewis was sacked only once, and it was for a loss of one yard. However, the offensive line was key in run blocking throughout the game and was essential to Colorado's win. My biggest complaint about tonight's line is that there were multiple bad snaps. Hopefully, that does not happen as the season goes on and the rust wears off.

Defense

Grade against the run: A+

Grade against the pass: B

Overall grade: A

Georgia Tech only had 56 rushing yards all game after having over 300 rushing yards in their game against Colorado last year. Justice Haynes was the leading rusher with 64 yards and most of those yards came on the Yellow Jackets' opening drive. However, they did find success in the passing game as quarterback Alberto Mendoza finished the game with a completion percentage of nearly 74 percent, 237 passing yards and a quarterback rating of 160.5. Georgia Tech nearly took the game back in the final seconds when Mendoza completed a 42-yard pass to get the Yellow Jackets in field goal range.  

Perhaps the defense's most impressive feat was not allowing a touchdown the entire game. It was the first time the defense did not allow a touchdown since they shut out Oklahoma State 52-0 back in November of 2024.

Special Teams

Grade: C

Boo Carter salvaged the special teams' grade with the blocked field goal for the win, or else they would have gotten an F. Georgia Tech scored their only touchdown of the game on a 100-yard kickoff returned for a touchdown. The Yellow Jackets also blocked Colorado's field goal attempt late in the fourth quarter. There would not have been any late-game drama without the special teams allowing the touchdown, and this was not the special teams unit's finest game.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Grading Colorado football's dramatic Week 1 win over Georgia Tech