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CU At the Game By Stuart Whitehair
Chapter One: 1980-1981 - "Drake? Who the Hell is Drake?"
1980 SeasonThe Year of the Designated Chaser
- 1980's Fanaticism - 1970's overview - Chuck Fairbanks
- Sep 1 - CU at the Game - An Introduction
- Sep 13 - UCLA - 0-56 - at halftime!
- Sep 20 - LSU
- Sep 27 - Indiana - First home game / Sports Illustrated & Chuck Fairbanks' desk
- Oct 4 - #12 Oklahoma - 82-42 - Open up the record books
- Oct 11 - Drake - Beneath Nadir - "Who the Hell is Drake?"
- Oct 18 - #16 Missouri
- Oct 25 - #9 Nebraska - What are our school colors, anyway?
- Nov 1 - Iowa State - First win; only win
- Nov 8 - Oklahoma State
- Nov 15 - Kansas - "We're just a very poor football team right now"
- Nov 21 - Kansas State
1981 SeasonBye, Chuck!
- Sep 5 - Nowhere to go but up / Blue and gold uniforms
- Sep 12 - Texas Tech - Hope Springs Eternal
- Sep 19 - Washington State - "You've got to be kidding"
- Sep 26 - #11 BYU - Pick your poison - McMahon replaced by Young
- Oct 3 - #16 UCLA - Bruins stuff Buffs
- Oct 10 - Nebraska - Turner Gill makes his debut
- Oct 17 - Oklahoma State - Steve Vogel leads improbable comeback
- Oct 24 - #14 Iowa State - Buffs face a ranked Cyclone team
- Oct 31 - #19 Oklahoma - Buffs hold Sooners under 50!
- Nov 7 - Missouri - Essington back as starter ... not a good move
- Nov 14 - Kansas - "A sorry state"
- Nov 21 - Kansas State - Fairbanks goes out a winner
- May 31 - Buffs lose a coach in May - "The End of an Error"
Chapter Two: 1982-1984 - The First (Very) Small Steps
1982 SeasonLearning on the Run
- Jun 9 - The Hiring of Bill McCartney - The Unlikely Choice
- Sep 11 - California - Bill McCartney makes his debut as CU head coach
- Sep 18 - Washington State - "Did you hear?" - Coach Mac's first win
- Sep 25 - Wyoming - Second loss ever to the Cowboys
- Oct 2 - #9 UCLA - "Hey - Don't I know you from somewhere?"
- Oct 9 - #7 Nebraska - In Search of a Rival - Meeting CU head coach Bill McCartney
- Oct 16 - Oklahoma State - It Must have been the Tie
- Oct 23 - Iowa State - Zero conversions on third down ...
- Oct 30 - #17 Oklahoma - Progress in small doses
- Nov 6 - Missouri - Homecoming for Coach Mac not pretty
- Nov 13 - Kansas - The goalposts come down at Folsom
- Nov 20 - Kansas State - Wildcats earn first-ever bowl bid
1983 SeasonBuilding ... or Falling?
- Sep 1 - National and Big Eight Recap - "Salesman Bill" McCartney
- Sep 2 - 1983 Preseason Outlook
- Sep 10 - Michigan State - Coach Mac returns to his home state
- Sep 17 - Colorado State - Rivalry? What Rivalry?
- Sep 24 - Oregon State - "Here we go CU, Here we go!"
- Oct 1 - Notre Dame - Taking the LSAT
- Oct 8 - Missouri - "I thought we'd bounce back ..."
- Oct 15 - Iowa State - Third straight loss to the Cyclones
- Oct 22 - #1 Nebraska - A record quarter dooms Buffs' upset bid
- Oct 29 - Oklahoma State - Vogel: 0-for-7; three interceptions
- Nov 5 - Kansas - Marshall and McLemore lead Buffs to victory
- Nov 12 - Oklahoma - Buffs 28-7 rally not enough
- Nov 19 - Kansas State - Victor Scott and the "Survivors" go out winners
1984 SeasonFade to Black
- Sep 1 - 1984 Recap / One L
- Sep 1 - Preseason - Cautious Optimism / Recruiting Watch
- Sep 8 - Michigan State - "Home Games"
- Sep 15 - Oregon - Ed Reinhardt
- Sep 22 - Notre Dame - Golden Dome rout
- Sep 29 - UCLA - "Coach Whitehair" gets re-acquainted with Coach Bill
- Oct 6 - Missouri - Alma mater makes it 3-0 v. McCartney
- Oct 13 - Iowa State - Buffs draw Cyclones offsides on fourth-and-one
- Oct 20 - #5 Nebraska - "You tell 'em, Bill!"
- Oct 27 - #10 Oklahoma State - Denver Post: "Close, but ..."
- Nov 3 - Kansas - Keenan passes for 349 yards
- Nov 10 - #9 Oklahoma - Brian Bosworth comes to Boulder
- Nov 17 - Kansas State - Coach Mac contract extension: "Belief without evidence"
Chapter Three: 1985-1988 - Building a National Program
1985 SeasonBack to Black
- Aug 28 - Preseason 1985: Wishbone = Wishful Thinking
- Sep 7 - Colorado State - Off on the right foot
- Sep 14 - Oregon - Mickey Pruitt takes down Chris Miller - "I think that could be a turning point for our program"
- Sep 21 - #7 Ohio State - "We're going to recover, I can tell you that"
- Sep 28 - Arizona - Colorado back amongst "Others receiving votes"
- Oct 12 - Missouri - Finally, payback for coach McCartney
- Oct 19 - Iowa State - Buffs make it look easy
- Oct 26 - #5 Nebraska - Road trip - Lincoln; Denver/Kansas City; '85 World Series
- Nov 2 - #12 Oklahoma State - Defense gives Buffs a chance
- Nov 9 - Kansas - "CU on Independence Bowl list" - McMillen sets two all-time records
- Nov 16 - #7 Oklahoma - Buffs run into nation's #1 defense
- Nov 23 - Kansas State - Buffs "Bowled over" - just a week later than expected
- Dec 30 - Washington - Freedom Bowl - Fake punt!
1986 SeasonA Game for the Ages
- 1986 - An Introduction - "Great Expectations"
- Sep 6 - Colorado State - Off to a bad start
- Sep 13 - Oregon - Words cannot describe ...
- Sep 20 - Ohio State - Golfing, but listening ...
- Sep 27 - #10 Arizona - No wins ... No hope?
- Oct 11 - Missouri - John Nairn saves the day
- Oct 18 - Iowa State - 1-4 Buffs roll over 4-1 Cyclones
- Oct 25 - No. 3 Nebraska - The Signature Win
- Nov 1 - Oklahoma State - Buffs rally from 14-3 halftime deficit to rout Cowboys
- Nov 8 - Kansas - Colorado defense preserves early 17-0 lead
- Nov 15 - #4 Oklahoma - Goaaalllposts ... Goaaalllposts!
- Nov 22 - Kansas State - "A win and you're in!"
- Dec 31 - Baylor - Bluebonnet Bowl - "On the Road Again"
1987 SeasonIn Search of National Respect
- Aug 25 - 1987 Preseason - "Breaking Away" - Buffs hope to build on successful 1986
- Sep 12 - Oregon - Just when it was getting good ...
- Sep 19 - Stanford - Bieniemy's 1st 100-yard game - Fun with initials
- Sep 26 - Washington State - Sal Aunese makes an impression
- Oct 3 - Colorado State - Buffs take down the Rams in Ft. Collins
- Oct 10 - #19 Oklahoma State - Thurman Thomas and Barry Sanders double-team Buffs
- Oct 17 - Kansas - Buffs pile up 546 yards on Jayhawks
- Oct 24 - #1 Oklahoma - Buffs garner national respect
- Oct 31 - Iowa State - Aunese accounts for four scores in rout
- Nov 7 - Missouri - Small victories: Buffs claim fourth in the Big Eight
- Nov 21 - Kansas State - Buffs dominate Wildcats, but schedule changes doom bowl hopes
- Nov 28 - #5 Nebraska - Brad incites Cornhusker fans with rendition of "Boomer Sooner"
1988 SeasonPriming for the National Stage
- Sep 1 - 1988 Preseason - New season; New goals
- Sep 10 - Fresno State - Where is Everybody?
- Sep 17 - #19 Iowa - Buffs post first road win over a ranked team in seven years
- Sep 24 - Oregon State - Bieniemy goes for 211 yards as Buffs go to 3-0
- Oct 1 - Colorado State - Cardiac Kids win in Ft. Collins
- Oct 8 - #13 Oklahoma State - Watching Barry Sanders
- Oct 15 - Kansas - Jayhawks a welcome tonic for Buffs
- Oct 22 - #8 Oklahoma - First night game in Colorado history
- Oct 29 - Iowa State - Buffs bounce back against Cyclones
- Nov 5 - Missouri - "Buffs crack Top 20" - First ranking since 1978
- Nov 12 - #7 Nebraska - Tough 7-0 loss last shutout of the 20th century
- Nov 19 - Kansas State - Freedom Bowl bound!
- Dec 1 - Disneyland - Here I come!
- Dec 28 - BYU - Freedom Bowl Blues
- Dec 31 - Scalped in San Diego / Happy Endings
Chapter Four: 1989-1991 - Championship Three-Peat
1989 Season"Things Have Changed"
- Preseason - Sal Aunese at Spring Practice
- Sep 4 - Texas - Hagan goes for 75 yards on 2nd play of the season
- Sep 9 - Colorado State - Bieniemy goes for three scores in comeback win
- Sep 16 - #10 Illinois - Jeff George / Farewell to Sal
- Sep 30 - No. 21 Washington - Road trip to Seattle - Buffs dominate
- Oct 7 - Missouri - Taking Aim at No. 1
- Oct 14 - Iowa State - Buffs roll to 662 yards of total offense
- Oct 21 - Kansas - "Things Have Changed"
- Oct 28 - Oklahoma - High Five in the Produce Aisle
- Nov 4 - #3 Nebraska - "This is the greatest win I've been a part of"
- Nov 11 - Oklahoma State - Buffs rally from 10-0 deficit to rout Cowboys
- Nov 18 - Kansas State - Six weeks to History, the Buffs move up to No. 1
- Jan 1 - #4 Notre Dame - Orange Bowl - "Opportunity Lost"
1990 SeasonNational Champions
- Aug 1 - Preseason - "Great Expectations? I'd like you to meet the Schedule from Hell"
- Aug 26 - #8 Tennessee - Buffs tie Volunteers in Pigskin Classic
- Sep 6 - Stanford - Bieniemy over the top gives Buffs last minute win
- Sep 15 - #21 Illinois - Preseason top ten Buffs fall to 1-1-1
- Sep 22 - #22 Texas - Bieniemy rallies the troops in Austin
- Sep 29 - #12 Washington - Best seats in the house
- Oct 6 - Missouri - The 5th down game (including last drive video)
- Oct 13 - Iowa State - Buffs finally win without last minute heroics
- Oct 20 - Kansas - Buffs become poll watchers
- Oct 27 - #22 Oklahoma - The return of Great Expectations
- Nov 3 - #3 Nebraska - Bieniemy goes for four scores in 4th quarter rally
- Nov 10 - Oklahoma State - Fate, once again, intervenes
- Nov 17 - Kansas State - Passing the Torch
- Dec 1 - Orange Bowl preview - Mixed emotions: Cheering for Notre Dame?
- Jan 1 - #5 Notre Dame - Orange Bowl - National Champions!*
1991 SeasonKissing your Sister
- Sep 1 - Preseason - Conferences realign / Scouting the Nation
- Sep 7 - Wyoming - Buffs up all-time series record to 23-2-1
- Sep 14 - #23 Baylor - Blocked kick leads to last minute loss to Bears
- Sep 21 - Minnesota - Buffs roll up 612 yards of offense in rout
- Sep 28 - Stanford - Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes
- Oct 12 - Missouri - Fear Factor
- Oct 19 - #12 Oklahoma - Two 99-yard drives take down Sooners
- Oct 26 - Kansas State - Nerves of Spaghetti
- Nov 2 - #9 Nebraska - "Fit to be Tied"
- Nov 9 - Oklahoma State - A fake field goal saves Buffs
- Nov 16 - Kansas - Vance Joseph leads Buffs back from two touchdown deficit
- Nov 23 - Iowa State - "Three-peat" clinched before crowd of 2,500
- Dec 28 - #8 Alabama - New CU offense not a Blockbuster in bowl game
Chapter Five: 1992-1994 - Maintaining Excellence
1992 Season"Air Bill" makes its debut - with mixed results
- 1992 Preview - "Air Bill"
- Sep 5 - Colorado State - Kordell Stewart sets numerous records in his first start
- Sep 12 - Baylor - Buffs exact revenge for 1991 upset with 57-38 romp
- Sep 19 - Minnesota - Koy Detmer's 1st game becomes 3rd-best comeback in CU history
- Sep 26 - Iowa - Detmer; Defense help Buffs overcome six turnovers
- Oct 8 - Missouri - First game in Columbia since 5th down game a Thursday night thriller
- Oct 17 - Oklahoma - Koy Detmer's first career start a record-setter
- Oct 24 - Kansas State - Defense sets Big Eight records in 54-7 rout
- Oct 31 - #8 Nebraska - The Halloween Massacre - (First mention of a "Pac-12")
- Nov 7 - Oklahoma State - Buff defense posts second shutout of the season
- Nov 14 - #20 Kansas - First game against a ranked Jayhawk team since 1975
- Nov 21 - Iowa State - School records set by Stewart, Detmer, Westbrook, and Johnson
- Jan 1 - #6 Syracuse - Fiesta Bowl - Lost luggage, lost jacket, lost holiday
1993 SeasonBring on the Nation
- 1993 National and Big Eight Recap - "Hitting the Jackpot"
- Preseason - 1993 - Buffs take on the most difficult schedule in the nation
- Sep 4 - Texas - No. 11 Colorado Opens with a Thumping of the Longhorns
- Sep 11 - No. 24 Baylor - Buffs cruise past Bears in 45-21 laugher
- Sep 18 - No. 20 Stanford - Cardinal scores 14 points late to stun Buffs
- Sep 25 - No. 3 Miami - Buffs lose after a brawl; Stuart wins after all
- Oct 9 - Missouri - Bill McCartney ties Fred Folsom for most wins by a CU coach
- Oct 16 - No. 9 Oklahoma - Warren and Johnson team up on the "Play-of-the-Year"
- Oct 23 - Kansas State - 16 times three / Moving Day
- Oct 30 - No. 6 Nebraska - "I can't remember being this disappointed"
- Nov 6 - Oklahoma State - Kordell Stewart becomes passing leader as Charles E. Johnson earns Player-of-the-Year
- Nov 13 - Kansas - CU offense posts 598 yards of total offense in rout
- Nov 20 - Iowa State - Paradise Found - 1993 Season Honors
- Dec 25 - Fresno State - Aloha Bowl shootout win over Trent Dilfer
1994 SeasonA Hail Mary, A Heisman, and "A Change in Plans and Priorities"
- Pre-season: 1994 - Adios, Southwest Conference - CU returns 16 starters
- Sep 3 - Northeastern Louisiana - Break out the record books
- Sep 17 - #10 Wisconsin - Badger Mania at Folsom
- Sep 24 - #4 Michigan - "The Catch"
- Oct 1 - #16 Texas - On Oxygen
- Oct 8 - Missouri
- Oct 15 - #22 Oklahoma - An Evening in Paradise
- Oct 22 - #19 Kansas State
- Oct 29 - #3 Nebraska
- Nov 5 - Oklahoma State
- Nov 12 - Kansas
- Nov 19 - Iowa State - Salaam's 2,055 overshadowed by Coach Mac
- McCartney's announcement - Neuheisel hired / Salaam; Hudson honored
- Jan 2 - Fiesta Bowl - Notre Dame - McCartney, Stewart, Salaam go out winners
Chapter Six: 1995-1998 - The Rick Neuheisal Era
1995 SeasonThe "Neu" Kid on the Block
- Preseason - Neuheisel hired / CU Preview
- Sep 2 - #21 Wisconsin - Baptism by Fire
- Sep 9 - Colorado State - Walter Mitty and Me
- Sep 16 - Northeast Louisiana - Records fall like rain
- Sep 23 - #3 Texas A&M - "Fightin' Words" / Detmer Injured
- Sep 30 - #10 Oklahoma - John Hessler's record-setting starting debut
- Oct 7 - #24 Kansas - Time to focus on new goals
- Oct 21 - Iowa State - A "lucky" 22-point win
- Oct 28 - #2 Nebraska - ESPN Gameday on hand for Huskers win
- Nov 4 - Oklahoma State - Neuheisel v. Simmons, Round One
- Nov 11 - Missouri - First shutout since 1992
- Nov 18 - #7 KSU - Hessler comes through late
- Jan 1 - #12 Oregon - The "Forgotten" Cotton Bowl
Chapter Seven: 1999-2001 - RTD: Return to Dominance
2001 Season"Seems Like Old Times"
- 2001 - An Introduction
- Aug 26 - Fresno State - Jim Thorpe Classic
- Sep 1 - #24 Colorado State (in Denver)
- Sep 8 - San Jose State
- Sep 15 - Washington State - Cancelled - remembering September 11th
- Sep 22 - Kansas
- Oct 6 - #12 Kansas State - Ethan McLean Geiger
- Oct 13 - #25 Texas A&M - "This one's for Fred Casotti"
- Oct 20 - #9 Texas - Bobby Pesavento in for Craig Ochs
- Oct 27 - Oklahoma State - 33-yard two-point conversion lifts Buffs
- Nov 3 - Missouri - Buffs spot Tigers to 14-0 lead before roaring back
- Nov 10 - Iowa State - Cortlen Johnson's double/double - "Seems Like Old Times"
- Nov 23 - No. 2 Nebraska - 62-36 - The Score says it all!!
- Dec 1 - #3 Texas - 2001 Big 12 Title Game
- Jan 1 - #2 Oregon - 2002 Fiesta Bowl - Duck Soup
Chapter Eight: 2002-2005 - Titles, but at what cost?
2004 SeasonShoulder to Shoulder
- Preseason - National and Big 12 recap
- Preseason - Chronology of a scandal
- Sep 4 - Colorado State - "Win One for the Stripper"
- Sep 11 - Washington State - Goal line stand preserves Buff win in Seattle
- Sep 18 - North Texas - "Time Spent in the Lead"
- Oct 2 - Missouri - Un-Happy Birthday
- Oct 9 - #22 Oklahoma State - The top five games of my first 25 years as a Buff fan
- Oct 16 - Iowa State - Cyclone Ineptitude
- Oct 23 - #17 Texas A&M - Modern Technology
- Oct 30 - #8 Texas - Now what?
- Nov 6 - Kansas - "Why Not Us?"
- Nov 13 - Kansas State - Senior Day
- Nov 26 - Nebraska - Cornhuskers finish 5-6; numerous records fall
- Dec 4 - #2 Oklahoma - Big 12 Championship Game
- Dec 29 - UTEP - Houston Bowl - Going back to Houston
Chapter Nine: 2006-2010 - The Dan Hawkins Era
2007 SeasonShreveport or Bust
- Preseason
- Sep 1 - CSU - Desperate Times call for Desperate measures
- Sep 8 - Arizona State - Still on Pace
- Sep 15 - Florida State - Blackout
- Sep 22 - Miami (Ohio) - "The Last Time..."
- Sep 29 - #3 Oklahoma - 27-24! 27-24! 27-24!!
- Oct 6 - Baylor - Undefeated in New England
- Oct 13 - Kansas State - Not ready for Prime Time
- Oct 20 - #15 Kansas - Land of Opportunity
- Oct 27 - Texas Tech - Last road win for four years - Top Ten lists
- Nov 3 - #9 Missouri - Proving they're for real
- Nov 10 - Iowa State - Physically painful
- Nov 23 - Nebraska - 65-51 sends the Buffs bowling
- Dec 30 - Alabama - Independence Bowl
- Post-Season - 2007 Review by position and by the numbers
2008 SeasonStuck in Neutral
- Recruiting - A breakdown of the class by position / CU v. the Big 12
- Spring Practice - What we were looking for; What we saw / 2008 NFL Draft
- Preseason - 2008 - Fall Practice coverage; Roster battles; predictions
- Aug 31 - Colorado State - Weathering the Storm
- Sep 6 - Eastern Washington - Undefeated; Untied; and Unimproved
- Sep 18 - #21 West Virginia - Rocky Mountain High
- Sep 27 - Florida State
- Oct 4 - #5 Texas - A Silk Purse from a Sow's Ear
- Oct 11 - #16 Kansas - Mid-Season Blues
- Oct 18 - Kansas State - Tyler Hansen's debut
- Oct 25 - #16 Missouri - Shutout!
- Nov 1 - Texas A&M - Six Plays decide a season
- Nov 8 - Iowa State - "I Need a Beer"
- Nov 15 - #13 Oklahoma State - The "Haves" and the "Have-Nots"
- Nov 28 - Nebraska - Mind-numbing loss / Coach Hawk v. Coach Mac - the first three seasons
- Doldrums, 2008 - "Ten wins; no excuses"; Early 2009 Commitments
- Post Season
2009 SeasonCrisis of Faith
- Recruiting
- Spring Practice
- Preseason
- Sep 6 - Colorado State - We waited nine months for this?
- Sep 11 - Toledo - Reflections from the Glass Bowl
- Sep 19 - Wyoming - Throwbacks
- Oct 1 - West Virginia - "Best Effort by Far"
- Oct 10 - #2 Texas - "The Buffs Shall Rise Again"
- Oct 17 - #17 Kansas - Returning the Favor
- Oct 24 - Kansas State - Road, Dreary Road
- Oct 31 - Missouri - One Last Record
- Nov 7 - Texas A&M - Colorado Sky Blue
- Nov 14 - Iowa State - Reality Check
- Nov 19 - #12 Oklahoma State - "If you are going to win only one game ..."
- Nov 27 - Nebraska - Hot Turkey Sandwich
- The Doldrums - 2009 - "Crisis of Faith"
2010 SeasonLame Duck
- Recruiting
- Spring Practice
- Buffs move to the Pac-12
- Preseason
- Sep 4 - Colorado State - Wake me When it's Over
- Sep 11 - California - The more things change ...
- Sep 18 - 2010 - Hawai'i - Eight minutes of Emulation
- Oct 2 - Georgia - "Is it too much too ask?"
- Oct 9 - No. 24 Missouri - Missouri Five-O
- Oct 16 - Baylor - The End of an Error?
- Oct 23 - Texas Tech - CU in 2011, Because 2010 is Over
- Oct 30 - No. 11 Oklahoma - No Reason to Be Nervous
- Nov 6 - Kansas - Dead Dan Walking
- Nov 13 - Iowa State - The First Victory of 2011
- Nov 20 - Kansas State - "How 'bout Them Buffaloes!"
- Nov 26 - No. 16 Nebraska - A November to Remember
- Out with Hawkins, In with Embree
- Postseason
Chapter Ten: 2011 - present - The Jon Embree Era
2011 Season"I feel bad that I don't feel worse"
- Recruiting
- Spring Practice
- Pre-season
- Fall Camp
- Sep 3 - Hawai'i - A Brick Too Far
- Sep 10 - California - Flag Football
- Sep 17 - Colorado State - E Pluribus Unum
- Sep 24 - Ohio State - Skull Sessions / Band of Brothers
- Oct 1 - Washington State - Deja vu - "Cougin' It"
- Oct 8 - No. 7 Stanford - Reflections on Turning Fifty
- Oct 15 - Washington - "...Loyal, we will be to you..."
- Oct 22 - No. 9 Oregon - Birth of a Rivalry
- Oct 29 - No. 23 Arizona State - A deal with the Devils
- Nov 4 - No. 21 USC - "I feel bad that I don't feel worse"
- Nov 12 - Arizona - "The Survivors" - Part Two
- Nov 19 - UCLA - The Long Road Back
- Nov 25 - Utah - One for the Road
- Doldrums - 2011
- Post-season
2012 Season
- Recruiting
- Spring Practice
- Pre-Season
- Fall Camp
- Sep 2 - Colorado State
- Sep 8 - Sacramento State
- Sep 15 - Fresno State
- Sep 22 - Washington State *
- Sep 29 - UCLA *
- Oct 11 - Arizona State *
- Oct 20 - USC *
- Oct 27 - Oregon *
- Nov 3 - Stanford *
- Nov 10 - Arizona *
- Nov 17 - Washington *
- Nov 23 - Utah *
- TBA - Bowl Game
- Post-season
