Colorado upset No. 14 Houston 42-32 on Friday night in Boulder, a result that moved the Buffaloes to 4-6 and kept their bowl hopes alive. The win came after a 3-6 start that had drawn sharp criticism, and coach Deion Sanders had said after the previous loss that "the fans deserve better." The Cougars, who needed a victory to keep their College Football Playoff chances alive, were left with that path effectively closed.

Houston appeared to be in control early. It led 20-7 in the first half and dominated the opening quarter, holding the ball for most of it, piling up 143 total yards to Colorado's 13 and rushing for 57 yards against the Buffaloes' -4. Colorado turned things around in the second quarter, scoring 21 points in that period alone and taking a 21-20 lead into halftime before pulling away.S1S2

The Buffaloes' Go-Go offense, which had struggled for most of the season, finally produced against a top opponent. Colorado finished with 249 rushing yards, the most of any game this season, and its first-half touchdowns all came on plays of more than 30 yards. Running back Richard Young was the key, rushing for 99 yards and two touchdowns, including Colorado's first score, and he appears set to be the primary back for the rest of the season, with JaQuail Smith and DeKalon Taylor still involved. After Colorado scored 28 straight points, it led 35-20 in the fourth quarter.S1S2

Colorado still must win its final two games, against Cincinnati and UCF, to reach a bowl, but this result keeps that possibility open. For Sanders, the win also eases pressure on his job; he has a $25.5 million buyout, and a loss would have put his future in serious doubt. The Buffaloes still have some coaching decisions to answer for, including a failed fourth-down attempt, but the victory gave the program a result it had been missing.S1S2