The Colorado football team needed a win as bad as anyone in the country. It also needed overtime.

Kansas State came to Boulder missing its top two QBs and, somehow, the Buffs still found themselves in a dog fight. It was a must-win game for Deion Sanders and although his squad snapped a five-game losing streak, it didn’t feel like a typical victory because of the circumstances.

But at this point in the season, the Buffs (3-5) will take any win they can get.

Here are three takeaways from the Colorado football team’s 27-24 win over Kansas State (4-4).

Colorado football’s run game shines

Kansas State came to Folsom Field with the third-worst run defense in the Big 12. Colorado took advantage of it.

The Buffs rushed for 222 yards, their most in a game all season and the most by Colorado in the Deion Sanders era (since 2021). Coach Prime said earlier this week that RB Richard Young would have a bigger role and Alabama transfer had a breakout performance on Saturday.

Young ran for 120 yards and two TDs (his first two as a Buff), including a 22-yard scamper to put Colorado up 21-14 early in the fourth quarter. Jaquail Smith also provided the running game with a spark, rushing for a 47-yard TD in the third quarter to electrify the home crowd.

The effective rushing attack took pressure off of Colorado QB Isaac Wilson, who threw for 185 yards. Most importantly, it was his first start this season without a turnover.

Wilson also threw the game-winning TD pass in overtime to Charlie Williams from 11 yards out.

If Wilson can continue to protect the football and simply rely on his playmakers, the Buffs can go on a mini run to end the season with a favorable remaining schedule.

Defense does its job

The Colorado football defense must’ve breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday. After playing against top-15 teams and elite QBs the last few weeks, the Buffs looked across the line of scrimmage at a QB making his first career start.

Dillon Duff started the game for Kansas State but was replaced by Colorado (Erie) native Blake Barnett after just three drives. Barnett played admirably (racking up 264 total yards and three passing TDs), but he was overwhelmed by the Colorado football team’s pass rush.

The Buffs totaled five sacks with LB Gideon ESPN Lampron and DE Yamil Talib racking up two sacks each. Lampron finished the game with a game-high 15 total tackles (eight solo) and four TFLs.

Colorado forced a Kansas State field goal to open overtime thanks to back-to-back PBUs by CBs Cree Thomas and Boo Carter. Defensive coordinator Chris Marve has been impressive in first year with the Colorado football team.

Mistakes nearly cost Buffs

The Colorado football team was inches away from taking a commanding, 14-0 lead.

DeKalon Taylor ripped off a 30-yard run for the Buffs in the second quarter but he fumbled just before he crossed the goal line. The play resulted in a touchback and Kansas State used the giveaway to drive 80 yards in 10 plays to tie the game at seven apiece.

Instead of going up 14-0, the costly fumble put Kansas State right back into a game that it had no business being in with its QB situation.

Untimely penalties (eight for 53 yards) by Colorado also kept the Wildcats in the game. It’s a weekly occurrence that the Buffs were lucky to overcome this time around.

Colorado heads back on the road next week for another winnable game at Arizona State.

Follow Colorado Buffaloes beat reporter Scott Procter on X.