Colorado Buffaloes Fall to Kansas State 24-14 in Season Finale

UPDATE: The Colorado Buffaloes concluded their season with a hard-fought battle, ultimately falling to the Kansas State Wildcats 24-14 on November 25, 2023, at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Despite entering the game as 17.5-point underdogs, the Buffs showed resilience before closing out a disappointing season with a 3-9 record and a five-game losing streak.

Kansas State (6-6, 5-4 Big 12) secured bowl eligibility with the victory, driven by standout performances from their running back Joe Jackson, who rushed for 142 yards and scored three touchdowns, including a critical score in the closing moments.

The game began with Kansas State establishing an early lead, executing a methodical 13-play, 74-yard drive that consumed over 7 minutes of the clock. Jackson’s 4-yard touchdown run capped off the drive, putting the Wildcats ahead 7-0. The Buffaloes struggled initially, with a blocked field goal attempt and a stalled drive, but regained momentum just before halftime.

Quarterback Kaidon Salter, making his first start since November 1, led a late drive that culminated in a 1-yard touchdown run by Micah Welch, tying the game 7-7 with only 18 seconds left in the first half.

The second half saw Kansas State reclaim the lead with a 1-yard touchdown run from Jackson, putting them up 14-7. CU responded with determination, with Salter connecting on a 43-yard pass to Omarion Miller, leading to Welch’s second touchdown, narrowing the gap to 17-14 with just over 7 minutes remaining.

However, Kansas State sealed the victory with a decisive nine-play, 75-yard drive, culminating in Jackson’s final touchdown, extending their lead to 24-14 with 2:37 left on the clock. CU was unable to mount a comeback in the closing minutes, ending their season on a disappointing note.

This loss underscores the challenges faced by the Buffaloes throughout the season under head coach Deion Sanders, as they struggled to find consistent success. Fans will now look ahead to potential off-season changes and improvements as the team aims to bounce back next year.

Stay tuned for updates as the Buffaloes regroup for the off-season and prepare for the next chapter in their football journey.