Posts Tagged ‘Chuck Fairbanks’

Oklahoma State – It Must have been the Tie

//posted 10.16.1982

October 16 – @Oklahoma State Colorado 25, Oklahoma State 25

It is hard to imagine that anyone would have a revenge factor in playing the Buffs in the early 1980′s, but that is what the Cowboys were playing for in 1982. Colorado had come from behind for an improbable, last second 11-10 win in 1981 in Boulder. Now it was Oklahoma State’s turn to right the wrong. Everyone else was getting healthy playing the powder blue Buffs, and the homecoming crowd of 47,250 expected nothing less from their squad.

Fans of both teams were to be treated to another last second game, but it was the Cowboy fans who were again left with a bad taste in their mouths.

Colorado seemed to have matters well in hand with only 4:39 left in the game, when Colorado’s sensational cornerback Victor Scott had just scored his second touchdown of the game, returning a pass interception for a 22-10 Colorado lead. Oklahoma State, though, promptly marched down the field, scoring a touchdown with still over two minutes left to play. 22-17.

Colorado went three and out on its next possession, punting the ball back to the Cowboys at their 22-yard line. The Colorado defense…

The Hiring of Bill McCartney – The Unlikely Choice

//posted 6.9.1982

(Post your own memories)

National and Big Eight recap – 1982

In 1982, Penn State, which had failed to win titles in undefeated seasons, won its first national championship with an 11-1 campaign. Under long time head coach Joe Paterno, the Nittany Lions fell only once during the regular season, losing to Alabama 42-21. Recovering from the early stinging defeat, Penn State could not be bested the rest of the season, defeating previously unbeaten Georgia and Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker 27-23 in the Sugar Bowl. The Nittany Lions were led by running back Curt Warner and quarterback Todd Blackledge.

In the Big Eight, Nebraska made it two consecutive unbeaten conference seasons, capturing the Big Eight crown for 12th time. The Huskers concluded their season 12-1, with the only blemish being a 27-24 early season loss to eventual national champion Penn State. Nebraska capped its season by beating LSU, 21-20, in the Orange Bowl, finishing 3rd in the final polls behind only Penn State and Georgia. Center Dave Rimington added a Lombardi Trophy, awarded to the nation’s outstanding lineman, to his second Outland Trophy. The national leader in scoring, total offense, and rushing, the Nebraska offense was led by quarterback Turner Gill, running back Mike Rozier, and…

Buffs lose a coach in May – “The End of an Error”

//posted 5.31.1982

(Post your own memories)

Fair weather Fairbanks

Despite compiling a 7-26 record over three seasons, and recording Colorado’s first string of three consecutive losing campaigns in almost twenty years, head coach Chuck Fairbanks still had a job as the 1981 season came to a close. With this record, when combined with the off the field difficulties the program had endured, few would have been shocked if Fairbanks had been sent on his way. Still, athletic director Eddie Crowder remained loyal to his coach.

As things turned out, it was Fairbanks who was to demonstrate a lack of loyalty

Most coaching changes occur, if they are to occur, at the end of the regular season. Athletic Directors want to have as much time as possible to interview potential candidates, with the goal to have a coaching staff in place by the end of the January bowl games, when the recruiting race really kicks in. After studying films and making initial contacts with high school prospects during the season (and, in many cases, for several seasons), coaches start fanning out all over the country after New Year’s Day to personally woo high school seniors in advance of the February signing date. Assistants are sent out to…

Kansas State – Fairbanks goes out a winner

//posted 11.21.1981

(Post your own memories)

November 21st – Boulder Colorado 24, Kansas State 21

There was little to entice a crowd to Folsom Field for the last game of 1981. Colorado limped into the game 2-8 and 1-5 in Big Eight play. Kansas State came into the contest with similar 2-8 and 1-5 marks. Kansas State had even lost that year to the seemingly mighty Drake Bulldogs, at home, 18-17.

The only issue to be decided on this day was which team would finish 7th in the Big Eight, and who would finish last. But, as the program for the game reminded the 23,921 faithful who bothered to show up, the game gave Colorado the “chance of equaling Coach Chuck Fairbanks’ best record at CU of 3-8″. Go, Buffs!

Perhaps inspired by the opportunity to equal the efforts of the 1979 team, the Buffs came through on the ground in securing a 24-21 win. Lee Rouson rushed for a career high 149 yards on 32 carries. Rouson scored his sixth rushing touchdown of the season, finishing the year with 656 yards on the ground, a freshman CU record.

The Colorado Buffaloes finished their season 3-8. So few were the crumbs of success that the Buffs…

Tags: Chuck Fairbanks, Lee Rouson
Posted in Article, Game | No Comments | Leave a Comment

Washington State – “You’ve got to be kidding”

//posted 9.19.1981

(Post your own memories)

September 19th – Boulder Washington State 14, Colorado 10

Washington State came into Boulder 1-0, coming off a warm-up game against none other than Division I-AA Montana State, winning 33-21. The Cougars had only been 4-7 in 1980, so the game matched two teams looking to erase the memories of the previous campaign, and gain confidence by starting 1981 at 2-0.

Colorado led the game 10-0, and had possession of the football with under four minutes to go in the game. A 2-0 start was within the Buffs’ grasp.

Then disaster struck.

Colorado was held on downs, and then, on fourth down, failed to get the punt off, leading to a five-play, 34-yard drive for a touchdown. 10-7. On the next series, the Buffs again went three and out, except the Buffs forgot the “and out” part. This time the punt was blocked and returned 43 yards for a touchdown by Cougar free safety Paul Sorenson. What had been a 10-0 defensive gem was now a 14-10 loss. The first defensive unit for Colorado more than held it’s own, but it was wasted.

The loss was “bitter”, according to Chuck Fairbanks. Those in attendance did not disagree, though only a…

Nowhere to go but up / Blue and gold uniforms

//posted 9.5.1981

(Post your own memories)

National and Big Eight recap – 1981

In 1981, the Clemson Tigers brought a National Championship back to the Atlantic Coast Conference for the first time since 1953. Clemson capped off a 12-0 campaign with a 22-15 defeat of Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. The Tigers were not led by household names, but team players such as quarterback Homer Jordan, flanker Perry Tuttle, and tailback Cliff Austin contributed to the championship. Coach Danny Ford was the consensus coach of the year, but the Heisman went to a tailback on the other coast: Marcus Allen of USC.

In the Big Eight, Nebraska wrestled control of the conference from Oklahoma. The Cornhuskers went undefeated in conference play, gaining an undisputed claim to the top team in the Big Eight for the first time since 1972. Led by Outland Trophy winner (named for the most outstanding college interior lineman) center Dave Rimington and an explosive backfield including quarterback Turner Gill and running backs Roger Craig and Mike Rozier, Nebraska only struggled outside of conference play, losing early to Iowa (10-7) and Penn State (30-24), and in the Orange Bowl to the undefeated National Champion Clemson Tigers. Other bowl teams from the Big Eight included Oklahoma, which…

Kansas State

//posted 11.21.1980

(Post your own memories)

November 21st – @KSU Kansas State 17, Colorado 14

Aside from Iowa State, Kansas State was the only team from which Colorado could find no sympathy in 1980. The Wildcats were the “Mildcats”, representing little mention in the annals of Big Eight history. In 1954, KSU went 7-3 overall, 3-3 in the then Big Seven. Not worthy of mention? Don’t tell that to Wildcat fans. The 1954 record represented Kansas State’s moment in the sun in the school’s Big Eight conference history. No Big Six, Big Seven, or Big Eight titles were ever recorded. No bowl games in school history to that date. Not one.

A total of only 17,510 (about the same size as a Montana/Montana State crowd) even bothered to come to the season-ending game between Colorado and Kansas State. The home team prevailed, but the Wildcats had little to celebrate for their efforts. While the rest of the country settled down to watch season-ending rivalry games before huge audiences, fans of these two teams simply were glad to see the seasons of their teams come to a quiet end. Jim Johnson kicked a 17-yard field goal with one second remaining to give the Wildcats the victory. KSU…

Kansas – “We’re just a very poor football team right now”

//posted 11.15.1980

(Post your own memories)

November 15th – Boulder Kansas 42, Colorado 3

One week after the Oklahoma State Cowboys posted 42 points against the hapless Buffs, Kansas also scored 42 points against the paper-thin Colorado defense. Small consolation, but at least this time the 42 points allowed were not a record, though, as the Jayhawks could only manage to come within one point of the record 43 points scored against Colorado in 1963.

The Jayhawks did, however, set one series record in putting together 586 yards of total offense. A crowd of only 24,187 braved the November chill (36 degrees at kickoff) to watch the Buffs close out the home schedule with a 1-5 record, falling to 1-9 overall. With the loss, the 1980 team became the first team in Colorado football history to lose nine games in one season.

One play represented the game, if not the Buff season. Down 21-3 with 32 seconds left in the first half, the Buffs faced fourth-and-goal on the Kansas four yard line. Quarterback Scott Kingdom rolled right, and had Charlie Davis open in the end zone. Kingdom could have walked in for a touchdown, giving some redemption, if not momentum, to the Buffs. Instead, Kingdom threw…

Colorado Buffalo Football Analysis and Recaps - CU At the Game

Searching for CU football? you'll find it here.

Posts Tagged ‘Chuck Fairbanks’

Oklahoma State – It Must have been the Tie

The Hiring of Bill McCartney – The Unlikely Choice

Buffs lose a coach in May – “The End of an Error”

Kansas State – Fairbanks goes out a winner

Washington State – “You’ve got to be kidding”

Nowhere to go but up / Blue and gold uniforms

Kansas State

Kansas – “We’re just a very poor football team right now”

2012 Season

Archive Game of the Week