Georgia Tech 27, Colorado 20: Haynes King Dominates in Season-Opening Thriller

A Wild Start in Atlanta

The 2025 college football season couldn’t have opened with more drama.
In front of a buzzing crowd, Georgia Tech pulled off a thrilling 27-20 victory over Colorado to kick off the year.

For the first ten minutes, though, it looked like this game belonged to the Buffaloes.
Colorado’s defense came out with fire, forcing three turnovers and smothering Georgia Tech’s offense.
Deion Sanders’ team looked fast, physical, and ready to prove that Year 3 of the “Prime” era would be different.

But then reality hit.
The run defense collapsed.
And Georgia Tech found its rhythm behind quarterback Haynes King.

Haynes King: The Hero of the Night

Make no mistake — this was Haynes King’s game.
The Georgia Tech quarterback turned into a highlight reel, rushing for 156 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winning 45-yard run with just 1:07 left on the clock.

King also threw for 143 yards on an efficient 13-of-20 passing.
But his biggest impact came on the ground, where Colorado simply had no answer.
He became the first Georgia Tech player since 2018 (Tobias Oliver) to run for over 150 yards and score three rushing touchdowns in a single game.

It wasn’t just a win — it was a statement.
After digging an early hole with turnovers, King’s composure and explosiveness flipped the game upside down.

Colorado’s Growing Pains Without Shedeur and Travis Hunter

Colorado entered 2025 already facing questions.
How would the team look without two program pillars — quarterback Shedeur Sanders and star two-way playmaker Travis Hunter?

The answer, at least in Week 1, was messy.
New quarterback Kaidon Salter, a transfer brought in to replace Shedeur, showed glimpses of potential.
He went 17-of-28 for 159 yards and one touchdown through the air and added a clutch 7-yard rushing score in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 20.

But outside of Salter’s late heroics, the Buffaloes’ offense couldn’t generate consistent drives.
The run game sputtered, and Colorado finished with just 305 total yards compared to Georgia Tech’s 463.

The bigger issue, though, was the defense.
Colorado allowed 320 rushing yards, far worse than their 2024 average of 150.9.
When you give up more than double your usual ground defense numbers, it’s almost impossible to win.

The Julian Lewis Question

One of the biggest surprises?
We never saw Julian Lewis.

The highly touted freshman quarterback had been hyped all offseason, with Coach Sanders hinting he might get some snaps early in the year.
Instead, Colorado stuck with Salter from start to finish.

That decision will only fuel more debate heading into September.
It would be shocking if Lewis doesn’t see the field soon, especially if Colorado continues to struggle.

Key Stats: Georgia Tech 27, Colorado 20

Individual Leaders

• Haynes King (GT): 156 rushing yards, 3 TDs, 143 passing yards
• Kaidon Salter (COL): 159 passing yards, 1 TD, 7-yard rushing TD
• Malik Rutherford (GT): left game early but set tone on first play
  

A Game of Missed Chances for Colorado

Colorado actually had a shot late.
After Salter tied the game at 20 midway through the fourth quarter, momentum seemed to swing back to the Buffaloes.

But then came Haynes King’s 45-yard dagger run, which put Georgia Tech up 27-20 with just over a minute left.
Colorado still had life, but their final Hail Mary heave was swatted down in the end zone.
Game over.

For a moment, it looked like Sanders’ squad might steal an opening-week win.
Instead, they left Atlanta with more questions than answers.

What This Win Means for Georgia Tech

This wasn’t just any win for Georgia Tech — it was a foundation-builder.
Just like last season’s upset over Florida State, this game showed that Brent Key’s team is dangerous when they settle in and play their style.

With Haynes King leading the way, the Yellow Jackets not only erased an early disaster but also showcased their toughness, depth, and resilience.
If King continues to play like this, Georgia Tech could become one of the ACC’s most underrated teams in 2025.

What’s Next for Both Teams

• Georgia Tech (1-0): The Yellow Jackets host FCS opponent Gardner-Webb next Saturday. It’s a chance to clean up mistakes and build momentum before diving into a tougher ACC schedule.
  
• Colorado (0-1): The Buffaloes head home to face Delaware. It should be a softer opponent, but unless they fix their run defense quickly, even “easy” games won’t come easy.
  

Final Thoughts: Georgia Tech 27, Colorado 20

This game had everything — turnovers, big runs, late drama, and a quarterback who turned into a legend in real time.
For Georgia Tech, Haynes King’s three-touchdown night was a dream start.
For Colorado, it was a harsh reminder that rebuilding without Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter won’t be easy. One thing’s clear: Colorado has work to do.
And Georgia Tech? They might just be for real.

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