Colorado snaps five-game skid with late overtime win over Kansas State

Colorado defeated Kansas State 27-24 in overtime on Saturday to end a five-game losing streak.

The Buffaloes (3-5, 1-4 Big 12) secured the victory after tight end Charlie Williams caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Isaac Wilson. It was Williams' only reception of the game. The score gave Colorado the edge in the extra period, where they had chosen to play defense after winning the coin flip.

Kansas State (4-4, 1-4) entered the final minute of regulation trailing 21-14. The Wildcats recovered their momentum with a six-play drive that concluded with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Blake Barnett to Garrett Oakley with two seconds remaining. The tie forced the game into overtime, a result first-year head coach Collin Klein said he preferred over a failed two-point conversion attempt.

"I mean, absolutely I wanted to do it," Klein said regarding the decision not to go for the win in regulation. "We initially thought we had a chance but we've got to be smart, too, and credit them. … they adjusted their alignment, called timeout. Talking about a couple of different options as a staff, we didn't feel as good about it."

Running back Richard Young provided a offensive spark for the Buffaloes, rushing for a career-high 120 yards on 24 carries. Young scored twice, including a 22-yard run that put Colorado ahead 21-14 late in the fourth quarter. Coach Deion Sanders credited Young's performance for allowing Wilson to manage the game calmly. "It took a lot of pressure off Isaac, he didn't have to play hero ball," Sanders said.

Defensive back Gideon Lampron led the Buffaloes' defensive effort with 15 stops and four tackles for loss. The team's defense limited Kansas State to a field goal in overtime, though kicker Luis Rodriguez missed two previous attempts from 49 and 43 yards. Rodriguez successfully kicked a 25-yard field goal in the extra period to give the Wildcats their only lead of the game, a lead they could not overcome.

The loss marked the third straight defeat for Kansas State. The team returns to action Saturday when it hosts Oklahoma State. Colorado travels to Arizona State for its next contest.