Posts Tagged ‘Craig Keenan’

#12 Oklahoma State – Defense gives Buffs a chance

//posted 11.2.1985

November 2nd – Boulder #12 Oklahoma State 14, Colorado 11

Colorado continued to accumulate believers, if not wins, in falling short against the 12th-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys in Boulder. After a scoreless first quarter, the Buffs scored first on a 29-yard field goal by Larry Eckel to take a 3-0 lead. Oklahoma State, though, came back to take a 7-3 halftime lead on a one-yard plunge by running back Thurman Thomas. The play was controversial as replays showed Thomas failed to break the plane of the goal line.

Thomas then tried to break the Buffs’ spirit with a 60-yard touchdown run just three plays into the second half. With the Cowboys up 14-3, Colorado could have folded. Instead, quarterback Craig Keenan, the Buffs’ third starting signal caller in three games, scored on a two yard run in the fourth quarter. A two point conversion pulled Colorado within 14-11, but the Buffs would come no closer. The Buffs did get the ball back for one last drive, taking over at their own 20-yard line with 1:11 to play. Memories of the last minute, game-winning touchdown drive against Oklahoma State came to mind, but the Buffs only made it as far as their…

Iowa State – Buffs make it look easy

//posted 10.19.1985

(Post your own memories)

October 19th – @ Iowa State Colorado 40, Iowa State 6

What in the name of Fred Folsom was going on?

The Colorado Buffaloes, who couldn’t buy a conference win for the first half of the 1980′s, were now making it look easy. A 40-6 romp over Iowa State gave Colorado a 2-0 conference record for the first time since 1971 (the same season the Buffs went on to finish the season ranked #3 in the nation), and the Buffs’ largest margin of victory on the road since 1967.

The Buffs managed just 14 yards passing in the game, the fewest yards passing by the Buffs in the history of the series, but it didn’t matter. The running game posted 244 yards and three scores, and the defense held the Cyclones to just 41 rushing yards in 30 attempts. The defense, somewhat overlooked in the re-birth of the Colorado offense, held Iowa State scoreless until late in the game, with the Buffs already comfortably ahead 37-0.

Colorado methodically took control of the game, adding to its lead in each quarter. The first quarter witnessed only one score, a 14-yard touchdown pass from Rick Wheeler to Jon Embree. In the…

#9 Oklahoma – Brian Bosworth comes to Boulder

//posted 11.10.1984

(Post your own memories)

November 10th – Boulder #9 Oklahoma 42, Colorado 17

Oklahoma, ranked #9 in the country, came to Boulder with an overall record of 6-1-1. Heach coach Barry Switzer’s Sooners ran a high octane offense, with a precision wishbone offense complimented by a passing game which included tight end – and future NFL star – Keith Jackson. But the Oklahoma calling card in 1984 was its defense, led by noseguard Tony Casillas and linebacker Brian Bosworth. Bosworth, though only a freshman, had already been nominated for Big Eight player of the week honor three times.

For Colorado’s final home game of the 1984 season, only 38,888 showed up. The attendance represented the smallest home crowd to watch the Sooners play at Folsom since 1966. Even though the Buffs had played two top ten teams close in the past month, few gave much chance to the 1-8 Buffs.

The analysis proved correct.

Any hopes for an upset were seemingly quashed before the Colorado band had found its way to their seats after the opening program. Oklahoma took just three plays to “drive” 80 yards for the opening score. All of 48 seconds into game ten, and the Buffs were heading for a long day. Memories…

Kansas – Keenan passes for 349 yards

//posted 11.3.1984

(Post your own memories)

November 3rd – Boulder Kansas 28, Colorado 27

The Buffs were entitled to a break after facing two top ten teams.

Normally, Kansas would provide just such an opportunity. Even during the drought years of 1979-83, Colorado did manage to win three of five games against the Jayhawks, including the previous two contests. Third year coach Bill McCartney was undefeated against only one conference opponent – Kansas. With two decent performances against top opponents in the bank, it was time to feast on a 3-5 Jayhawk squad.

Problem was that someone forgot to remind Kansas that they were the Buffs’ source of redemption. Fact was that one of the Jayhawks three wins had come the previous week against a top ten opponent – Oklahoma. Second year head coach Mike Gottfried (later of ESPN fame) had the Jayhawks believing – believing to the point where they had humbled the Sooners, 28-11. Yes, it was true that starting Oklahoma quarterback Danny Bradley had been injured and unable to play, but the win had been no fluke.

The day began as well as the Colorado and their fans could have hoped. To the delight of the 33,166 who bothered to attend, the Buffs…

#10 Oklahoma State – Denver Post: “Close, but …”

//posted 10.27.1984

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October 27th – @ Oklahoma State #10 Oklahoma State 20, Colorado 14

Junior Craig Keenan made his first start at quarterback, replacing Colorado’s all-time passer Steve Vogel, as the Buffs took the field against a top ten opponent for the second week in a row. Colorado had played Nebraska tough, leading 7-3 after three quarters- but not tough enough to post a win.

History doesn’t always repeat itself.

Sometimes it rhymes.

The headlines from the Denver Post the morning after the Oklahoma State game tell all that you need to know about the game: “Close, but …” and “Oklahoma State survives CU 20-14″.

The tried and true method for the Buffs had come through once again. A valiant defensive effort kept the Buffs in the game, but the offense could not capitalize on the opportunities afforded by their opponent.

Keenan completed 10-of-25 passes for 178 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown connection with wide receiver Ron Brown. Brown’s 141 yards on four catches gave him 529 total yards for the season and an impressive 25.9 yards per catch average. The Buffs running game, however, again proved to be the Buffs’ downfall. With the Colorado defense keeping the Buffs in the game,…

Missouri – Alma mater makes it 3-0 v. McCartney

//posted 10.6.1984

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October 6th – @ Missouri Missouri 52, Colorado 7

The Missouri Tigers posted their sixth consecutive win over the Buffs in fine fashion, routing the Buffs in Columbia. The loss to his alma mater had to be that much harder for head coach Bill McCartney, as the Tigers continued the domination of his new team.

Missouri scores against McCartney’s 1982-84 Buffs: 35-14, 59-20, and 52-7.

Missouri came into the game 1-3, but the record was deceiving. The Tigers’ three losses had come by a total of only nine points, including a 16-14 defeat by Notre Dame. The Tigers would have defeated the Irish (the same Irish who had routed the Buffs 55-14) had kicker Brad Burditt been successful on a 39-yard field goal attempt with only seven seconds left in the game.

If there was any justice, Colorado’s first appearance on regional television since 1978 would have been blacked out. Even the Missouri faithful were not interested in the rout. After hosting over 70,000 for Notre Dame the weekend before, Faurot Field drew only 38,662, for the Colorado game, the smallest Missouri home crowd in 21 years.

Lee Rouson did have his second 100+ yard game of the season, rushing for 109 yards…

Wyoming – Second loss ever to the Cowboys

//posted 9.25.1982

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September 25th – Boulder Wyoming 24, Colorado 10

While Colorado and its neighbor 100 miles to the north hadn’t played since 1975, there seemed little reason for the Buff faithful to be concerned about continuing the domination Colorado had over the Wyoming Cowboys from the Western Athletic Conference. After all, a Colorado football team hadn’t lost to Wyoming since 1935, with an overall record of 21-1-1 against the Cowboys.

But this was 1982, and there were no certain wins.

Colorado had its chances, as Wyoming turned the ball over on fumbles each of its first three possessions. The Buffs could not take advantage, however, posting only one Tom Field goal. In fact, the Buffs’ offense came within 56 seconds of completing its second consecutive game without a touchdown, only obtaining a consolation score in the last minute of the Wyoming game to make the final score a more respectable 24-10. Steve Vogel was ineffective – at best – completing only 11-of-34 passes with three interceptions (one of which was returned for a touchdown in the second quarter). The defense, again, had played well enough to register a win, but it was tough to win a game when the offense was surrendering…

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Posts Tagged ‘Craig Keenan’

#12 Oklahoma State – Defense gives Buffs a chance

Iowa State – Buffs make it look easy

#9 Oklahoma – Brian Bosworth comes to Boulder

Kansas – Keenan passes for 349 yards

#10 Oklahoma State – Denver Post: “Close, but …”

Missouri – Alma mater makes it 3-0 v. McCartney

Wyoming – Second loss ever to the Cowboys

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