Isaac Wilson Injury Scare Opens Door for Colorado Freshman Quarterback Against Houston
Colorado rallies before halftime
Colorado trailed 20-7 before scoring twice in the final two minutes of the first half. DeKalon Taylor ran for a 67-yard touchdown, then JaQuail Smith added a 32-yard score to put the Buffaloes ahead 21-20.
Wilson extended the lead early in the third quarter with a 53-yard touchdown pass to Joseph Williams. At the 12:10 mark of the fourth, Williams had five catches for 80 yards, while Wilson had completed 14 of 22 passes for 167 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Sweetwyne steps in
Wilson hobbled to the locker room in the third quarter, leaving Sweetwyne to protect a 28-20 lead. Colorado built its advantage to 35-20 before Wilson returned under center early in the fourth quarter.
Sweetwyne’s first rush went for a 14-yard touchdown with 5:34 left in the third. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound freshman from Lehi, Utah, had entered the game with 11 completions on 17 attempts for 105 yards and a rushing touchdown against Weber State.
Defense helps secure upset
Colorado’s offense gained 392 yards at eight yards per play, including 225 rushing yards, and converted seven of 11 third downs. The Buffaloes entered the game with a 17 percent chance to win, according to ESPN Analytics.
The defense forced two turnovers by early in the fourth quarter, ending a stretch of three straight games without a takeaway. Defensive back Boo Carter intercepted Houston quarterback Conner Weigman, and safety Randon Fontenette added a sack. Sanders praised the team’s resilience in a postgame interview with ESPN, saying, “I’m really a proud guy right now.” Colorado entered the night 3-6 and needed to win out to become bowl eligible, with a trip to Cincinnati next.
Wilson returns, mobility watched
Wilson’s return eased concern about the injury, but his first series back ended when a fourth-down run stopped at Houston’s 38-yard line. The account said his mobility remained worth watching.
Colorado went on to finish the upset, 42-32. Sweetwyne’s touchdown kept the offense moving during Wilson’s absence, while the starting quarterback’s return gave the Buffaloes their usual signal-caller for the closing stretch.
Key points
- Colorado upset No. 14 Houston, 42-32, after trailing 20-7 in the first half.
- Kaneal Sweetwyne scored on a 14-yard run during Wilson’s third-quarter absence.
- Isaac Wilson returned early in the fourth quarter, though his mobility remained a concern.
- Colorado entered the game 3-6 and needed to win out for bowl eligibility.