Colorado Stuns No. 14 Houston 42-32: CFP Hopes End, Bowl Race Opens
Colorado erased a 20-7 deficit to stun No. 14 Houston 42-32 at Folsom Field, ending the Cougars' playoff hopes and keeping the Buffaloes' bowl bid alive.
Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA (CC BY-SA 2.0)
BOULDER, Colorado — The Colorado Buffaloes stunned No. 14 Houston 42-32 on Friday night at Folsom Field, rallying from a 20-7 second-quarter deficit with 28 unanswered points to record the programme’s first victory over a top-15 opponent since 2007, according to the University of Colorado athletics department.
Played before more than 47,000 fans who stormed the field at the final whistle, the upset dealt a severe blow to Houston’s playoff hopes and kept Colorado’s bowl push alive.
Key Takeaways
- Colorado beat No. 14 Houston 42-32 after trailing 20-7, scoring 28 unanswered points.
- The Buffaloes ran for 249 yards and five touchdowns, their best rushing output under Deion Sanders.
- Houston, ranked No. 14 in the highest ranking in programme history, saw its playoff path end at 7-3.
- Colorado, now 4-6, must beat Cincinnati and UCF in its final two games to reach six wins and bowl eligibility.
Colorado vs Houston 42-32: How the Buffaloes Erased a 20-7 Deficit
Houston led 20-7 in the second quarter before Colorado’s ground game took over. Richard Young ran for 99 yards and two touchdowns, DeKalon Taylor broke free for a 67-yard scoring run, and JaQuail Smith added a 32-yard touchdown as the Buffaloes scored 28 consecutive points.
Joseph Williams turned a short pass into a 53-yard touchdown, and Kaneal Sweetwyne added a 14-yard score on his first snap after quarterback Isaac Wilson was briefly hurt. Colorado finished with 466 total yards and six touchdowns, its best scoring output against a Big 12 opponent this season.
Houston fought back late. Conner Weigman threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns on 26-of-42 passing, and found the end zone with 1:51 left to cut the lead to 42-32, but his two-point pass fell incomplete. Young’s second touchdown, from two yards out with 3:59 left, had made it 42-26.
| Player | Team | Line |
|---|---|---|
| Richard Young | Colorado | 99 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns |
| Conner Weigman | Houston | 272 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception |
| DeKalon Taylor | Colorado | 67-yard touchdown run |
| Joseph Williams | Colorado | 53-yard touchdown reception |
| Kaneal Sweetwyne | Colorado | 14-yard touchdown run |
Is Colorado Bowl Eligible? What the Buffaloes Need After the Houston Win
Colorado is 4-6 overall and 2-5 in Big 12 play. The Buffaloes need to win their final two regular-season games, against Cincinnati and UCF, to reach six wins, the threshold for bowl eligibility. A defeat in either game would leave Colorado short of a bowl place.
It was only the third time in four seasons that Colorado has beaten a ranked opponent, and the first over a top-15 team since No. 3 Oklahoma in 2007. It was also the second consecutive home game in which fans stormed the field.
What the Houston Loss Means for the College Football Playoff Race
Houston entered at 7-2, ranked No. 14 in the highest ranking in programme history, having lost only to No. 2 Utah and No. 12 Texas Tech. The defeat effectively ends the Cougars’ realistic path to the 12-team playoff field.
Houston had not surrendered more than 32 points all season and had not lost by double digits before Friday night. The Cougars still have a road game at West Virginia and a finale against Baylor, but their season is now about conference positioning.
No. 4 UCLA also stayed unbeaten with a 22-14 win over Illinois. Elsewhere in American sport this week, Cade Cunningham scored 52 points in a historic NBA night, Mauricio Pochettino agreed to take charge at Manchester United, and the MLB MVP awards went to unanimous winners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Colorado vs Houston game?
Colorado won 42-32 at Folsom Field in Boulder on Friday night, November 13, after trailing 20-7 in the second quarter.
Does Colorado still have a chance to make a bowl game?
Yes. Colorado is 4-6 and must win its final two regular-season games, against Cincinnati and UCF, to reach six wins and become bowl eligible.
Is Houston still in the College Football Playoff race after losing to Colorado?
Realistically, no. The loss dropped Houston to 7-3, and a three-loss team has no realistic path to the 12-team field.
When does Colorado play next?
Colorado’s final two regular-season games come against Cincinnati and UCF. Both will decide whether the Buffaloes reach six wins and qualify for a bowl game.
Colorado closes the regular season against Cincinnati and UCF, while Houston travels to West Virginia next week before finishing against Baylor.
