With the clock winding down and the Buffs trailing by three points, quarterback Owen McCown heaved a desperation pass towards the end zone. Amidst a swarm of defenders, Wester soared into the air and, with his right hand extended, hauled in the game-winning catch. The crowd at Folsom Field erupted in a thunderous roar as Wester was hoisted onto his teammates’ shoulders.
Wester’s catch not only secured a dramatic 30-27 victory for the Buffs but also set a new record for the longest reception by a CU receiver. The 57-yard Hail Mary surpassed the previous record of 50 yards set by Josh Smith in 2011.
“It was the biggest catch of my life,” said Wester after the game. “I knew I had to come down with it for my team.”
Head coach Karl Dorrell was effusive in his praise for Wester’s heroic play. “He’s a special player,” Dorrell said. “He made a tremendous catch under pressure and helped us win a crucial game.”
The Hail Mary victory was a much-needed boost for the Buffs, who had struggled in the early part of the season. The win moves them to 3-4 overall and 2-2 in Pac-12 play, keeping their hopes for a bowl appearance alive.
Wester, a sophomore from Baltimore, Maryland, has emerged as one of the most promising young receivers in the Pac-12. His record-breaking catch and game-winning heroics have put him on the radar of NFL scouts and solidified his place as a rising star in college football.
