Deion Sanders has heard plenty about the hot seat this season. On Friday night his players gave him something to smile about.

Colorado scored 28 straight points and beat No. 14 Houston 42-32 in Boulder. It was the Buffaloes' first win over an AP top-15 team since they beat No. 3 Oklahoma on Sept. 29, 2007.

Fans poured out of the stands to celebrate at Folsom Field.

Coach Prime's players rally

"These kids are resilient," Sanders said. "They have not stopped. They have not quit. They have not given up as well as the coaching staff. I'm really a proud guy right now."

Defensive back Randon Fontenette, whose sack set up a key turnover, said the team was playing for its coach.

"Just playing for him, I would say, that fueled me to go hard," Fontenette said.

Sanders said the noise about his future does not bother him. "I've been around noise all my life," he said. "This isn't new."

The run game takes over

Colorado trailed 20-7 late in the first half before taking over. The Buffaloes finished with 466 yards. Their 249 rushing yards were the most of the Sanders era.

Colorado ran for five touchdowns for the first time since 2020. DeKalon Taylor broke a 67-yard scoring run. Richard Young added a 38-yard touchdown and JaQuail Smith scored from 32 yards out.

Quarterback Isaac Wilson limped off with an ankle injury in the third quarter. Backup Kaneal Sweetwyne scored on a 14-yard keeper on his first play to make it 35-20. Wilson later returned.

Houston comes up short

Houston quarterback Conner Weigman threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. The Cougars fell to 7-3.

"It's a tough one. It's a hard one. Very difficult," Houston coach Willie Fritz said.

What's next

Colorado improved to 4-6 and 2-5 in the Big 12. The Buffaloes must win out to become bowl eligible and avoid a third losing season in Sanders' four years. He is 20-27 at Colorado.

Colorado plays at Cincinnati on Nov. 21. Houston visits West Virginia the same day.