Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes led the Stanford Cardinal 29-0 at halftime on Friday night in Boulder. And lost.
Stanford made an absolutely stunning comeback to take down Colorado 46-43 in double overtime. It’s the largest comeback in Stanford history, the largest blown lead in Colorado history, and the largest halftime deficit overcome in Pac-12 history, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
Stanford’s historic team performance was led by a historic individual performance.
Cardinal wide receiver Elic Ayomanor had 13 receptions for 294 yards (22.6 AVG) and three touchdowns.
Stanford trailed 29-6 in the third quarter when Ayomanor took a short pass 97 yards to the house.
STANFORD 97-YARD TD!
pic.twitter.com/9HTM7F6g0w — The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 14, 2023
One Stanford drive later, Ayomanor had a 60-yard touchdown reception.
ELIC AYOMANOR HAS 3 RECEPTIONS FOR 175 YARDS AND 2 TD!
After Colorado led 29-0 at halftime, Stanford has scored 19 unanswered points in the 3rd quarter.
https://t.co/7dGaC3OFSW pic.twitter.com/wrD5BKsm4k — The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 14, 2023
And in overtime, Ayomanor capped off the performance with a catch of the year contender.
Check out this ridiculous helmet catch from Ayomanor over Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter for a Stanford touchdown, which left Mark Jones and Louis Riddick going wild on the ESPN broadcast:
ELIC AYOMANOR WITH A CATCH OF THE YEAR CONTENDER! INSANE!
He has 294 yards receiving and Stanford has sent the game to 2OT.
Mark Jones and Louis Riddick on the call.
pic.twitter.com/U3498V3rrU — Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 14, 2023
Ayomanor’s 294 yards are the most in a game in Stanford history.
STATEMENT GAME
Elic Ayomanor's 294 receiving yards are the most in a game in Stanford history. pic.twitter.com/CamxLXDs3M
— ESPN (@espn) October 14, 2023
With a lot of help from Ayomanor, Stanford quarterback Ashton Daniels completed 27-of-45 passes for 396 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Ayomanor, a sophomore, entered the game with 15 receptions for 207 yards and one touchdown on the season and for his career.
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.