Posts Tagged ‘Larry Eckel’

#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…

Missouri – Finally, payback for coach McCartney

//posted 10.12.1985

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October 12th – Boulder Colorado 38, Missouri 7

After a two week layoff to contemplate their 3-1 record, Colorado played its homecoming game against the Missouri Tigers.

For a change, Homecoming played out the way it was supposed to: the home team beating up against an inferior opponent. True, Colorado had won its homecoming game against Iowa State in 1984, but that came in the last minute, and proved to be the Buffs only win of the year.

In 1985, all cylinders were clicking in a 38-7 rout of the Tigers.

The Tigers of 1985 were merely paper tigers, but the Buffs didn’t care. Missouri was winless coming into the game against the Buffs, struggling to an 0-4 non-conference record. All the better for the win-hungry Buffs. Quarterback Mark Hatcher had his best game of the season, running for 151 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries, while completing three-of-six passes for 110 yards and a fourth score. On the afternoon, Colorado rolled up 505 yards of total offense, including 390 on the ground. In mauling the winless Tigers, the Buffs defeated Missouri for the first time since 1978, while scoring the most points and posting the largest margin of…

Colorado State – Off on the right foot

//posted 9.7.1985

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September 7th – Boulder Colorado 23, Colorado State 10

In only the second meeting between the in-state rivals in 25 years, 40,665 looked on as Colorado and the wishbone offense made a successful debut in Boulder, defeating Colorado State, 23-10. Senior quarterback Craig Keenan was out with back problems, so sophomore Mark Hatcher made his starting debut for Colorado, leading the Buffs to 404 yards of total offense, 358 yards coming on the ground. Halfback Ron Brown rushed for 104 yards, with fullback Anthony Weatherspoon contributing 95 yards. For his part, Hatcher ran for 62 yards and the Buffs two touchdowns, and passed for an additional 46 yards on three completions.

When the wishbone is successful, the offense controls the ball. Colorado kept the ball for 35:23, limiting the Rams to 24:27 of possession time and only 10 points. Colorado held the ball for over ten plays on almost every scoring drive, with the lone exception being a six-play drive leading to a field goal at the end of the first half.

The most impressive series came after Colorado State had cut the Colorado lead to 16-10 in the third quarter. After the Ram touchdown, the Buffs turned the ball back…

Oregon – Ed Reinhardt

//posted 9.15.1984

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September 15th – @ Oregon Oregon 27, Colorado 20

The Oregon Ducks, like Michigan State, had posted a 4-6-1 record in 1983. Unlike the Spartans, though, the Buffs had no history from which to draw incentive. The last meeting between the two teams had been in 1979, with the Buffs falling 33-19 at home in Chuck Fairbanks’ debut as Colorado head football coach.

In 1984, Oregon was able to outlast Colorado, holding off the bumbling Buffs, 27-20. Dropped passes, 11 penalties, and continuing difficulties with the kicking game condemned the Buffs to a second straight failed fourth quarter comeback.

Unlike the Michigan State game, the Buffs did well in their first drive in Eugene. Despite starting on the eight yard line, Colorado put together a 92-yard drive, with junior wide receiver Ron Brown hauling in a 68-yard touchdown pass from Steve Vogel for the early score. Kicker Larry Eckel, however, missed the extra point, and the Buffs’ enthusiasm was tempered.

After falling behind 17-6 at halftime, Colorado rallied in the second half to take the lead. Two one-yard touchdown runs by Lee Rouson put the Buffs on top, 20-17. Rouson’s second score, coming on the first play of the fourth quarter, was capped…

Michigan State – “Home Games”

//posted 9.8.1984

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September 8th – Boulder Michigan State 24, Colorado 21

Michigan State appeared to be the ideal opening game opponent for the 1984 Buffs. First, the issue of payback had to be addressed. Colorado had led the Spartans after three quarters in the 1983 opener, only to surrender 17 fourth quarter points in a 23-17 defeat. Second, the 1984 game would be in Boulder, not East Lansing. Finally, the 1983 Michigan State team had finished their year with a less than stellar record of 4-6-1, including an embarrassing season-ending 42-0 loss at home to arch-rival Michigan.

Colorado and Michigan State were teams which were fairly equal on paper, and the Buffs needed the win if Colorado’s first winning season since 1978 was to become a reality.

Reality bites.

Senior quarterback Steve Vogel did pass for 344 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore tight end Ed Reinhardt was Vogel’s favorite target, snagging a Colorado record ten catches for 142 yards and two scores. These numbers would have been more impressive, however, had they not come – for the most part – after the Buffs had fallen behind 24-0 early in the third quarter.

The game, and the season, could not have begun more ominously.…

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Posts Tagged ‘Larry Eckel’

#12 Oklahoma State – Defense gives Buffs a chance

Missouri – Finally, payback for coach McCartney

Colorado State – Off on the right foot

Oregon – Ed Reinhardt

Michigan State – “Home Games”

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