Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes opened the 2026 season with a dramatic 14-13 victory over Georgia Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The road win ended Colorado’s 327-day wait for a victory and gave Coach Prime an impressive start to the new campaign.
However, the biggest Deion Sanders moment after the Georgia Tech win came away from the scoreboard. Sanders instructed his players to clean the visitors’ locker room before leaving and urged them to show respect toward Georgia Tech after a hard-fought contest.
Deion Sanders emphasizes respect after Georgia Tech win
After Colorado secured the narrow victory, Sanders used the moment to reinforce the standards he expects from his team. He praised Georgia Tech’s coaching staff and players while reminding his squad that winning should be accompanied by good sportsmanship.
The message was particularly meaningful because the game had gone down to the final play. Sanders also told his players how proud he was of them for continuing to fight until the end.
How Colorado beat Georgia Tech
The game was tightly contested from the beginning. Colorado grabbed a 7-0 lead in the second quarter when Micah Welch scored on a 5-yard touchdown run.
Georgia Tech answered almost immediately. Rahkeem Smith returned the kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown just 14 seconds later, tying the game. A Yellow Jackets field goal then put Georgia Tech ahead 10-7 at halftime.
Neither team scored during the third quarter, with Colorado relying heavily on its rushing attack. The Buffaloes finished with 183 rushing yards while holding Georgia Tech to only 51 rushing yards.
Georgia Tech eventually extended its lead to 13-7 with another field goal late in the contest. Colorado needed a big response, and freshman quarterback Julian Lewis delivered.
With only 37 seconds remaining, Lewis connected with tight end Charlie Williams for a 20-yard touchdown. The extra point gave Colorado a 14-13 advantage.
Boo Carter seals the Colorado victory
Georgia Tech still had one final opportunity to win. Alberto Mendoza completed a 42-yard pass to Dalen Penson, putting the Yellow Jackets in position for a potential game-winning field goal.
Aidan Birr attempted the 45-yard kick, but Colorado’s Boo Carter broke through and blocked the attempt as time expired. The play preserved Colorado’s 14-13 victory in front of 51,913 fans.
Lewis finished the game 14-of-27 passing for 124 yards and the decisive touchdown. Sanders had challenged the freshman quarterback at halftime as Colorado looked for a way back into the game.
What the Georgia Tech win means for Deion Sanders
The victory provides Colorado with an important confidence boost following a difficult 2025 season. The Buffaloes still have areas to improve, particularly their passing attack and special teams, but their rushing performance and defensive effort offered encouraging signs.
For Deion Sanders, the Georgia Tech win was about more than simply starting the season 1-0. His postgame message showed the culture he wants Colorado to establish: compete aggressively, respect opponents and remain disciplined after a victory.
The victory also had a personal connection for Sanders. He began his playing career in Atlanta and had previously fallen short during two trips there with Jackson State. This time, he finally left Atlanta with a victory.
Final takeaway
The Deion Sanders Georgia Tech win was a dramatic way for Colorado to begin the 2026 season. A late touchdown from Julian Lewis and a game-saving blocked field goal from Boo Carter delivered the Buffaloes a memorable 14-13 road victory.
But Sanders’ emphasis on respect after the game may prove just as significant. For Coach Prime, the result mattered — but so did how his team conducted itself after earning it.
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