Posts Tagged ‘Randy Essington’

Washington State – “Did you hear?” – Coach Mac’s first win

//posted 9.18.1982

September 18th – @Washington State Colorado 12, Washington State 0

Colorado shut out an opponent for the first time since 1977, and won on the road for the first time in two years, defeating Washington State 12-0 in Pullman.

It did not make up for the 14-10 “loss snatched from the jaws of victory” that the Buffs had endured the year before against Washington State, but it did give head coach Bill McCartney his first victory as a collegiate head coach, and squared his record as the Buffs’ coach at 1-1 (McCartney was not to reach the .500 mark again as a head coach for seven more years, until midway through the 1989 season).

The defense played inspired for their defensive-minded coach. Trailing 9-0 at half, the Cougars mounted a 16-play, 56-yard drive to the Buffs’ one yard line. There, Cougar fullback James Matthews was stuffed on a 4th-and-goal attempt at the one yard line by outside linebacker Dave Alderson and defensive tackle Mark Shoop. It proved to be the only Cougar scoring threat of the day.

Kicker Tom Field supplied all of the points in the game with his four field goals. For his efforts, Field was named the Big Eight Offensive…

Cal – Bill McCartney makes his debut as CU head coach

//posted 9.11.1982

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September 11th – Boulder California 31, Colorado 17

There was renewed optimism as the Colorado football program began a new era. Gone was Chuck Fairbanks, who, with his 7-26 record, had left for the USFL. In his place was the unknown Bill McCartney.

While there was renewed optimism, it would take wins to put fans back in the stands. Only 35,103 showed up for the opener in the rain against the California Golden Bears, coached by former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp.

Kapp was also making his coaching debut, giving the game the rare distinction of having two coaches entering the game with 0-0 lifetime records. In fact, according to the NCAA, the 1982 Colorado/California game marked the first time in at least twenty years in which there was a match-up of first time head coaches.

Junior Randy Essington returned as quarterback for Bill McCartney and the Buffs, with sophomore Lee Rouson and junior Guy Egging in the backfield. The Colorado defense was the strength of the team, but was thin at virtually every position. The best unit was the secondary, with senior three-year letterman Ellis Wood returning at safety, supported by a trio of juniors: Clyde Riggins, Jeff Donaldson, and Victor…

Missouri – Essington back as starter … not a good move

//posted 11.7.1981

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November 7 – Boulder Missouri 30, Colorado 14

The Missouri game offered the Buffs an opportunity to rise above the depths of the past season and a half. Missouri had gotten off to a fast 5-0 start, but had lost their last three, scoring only 8.3 points per game in those contests. Colorado had shown some signs of life prior to the Sooner debacle, especially on defense. Still, the Missouri defense had been more consistent on defense, allowing more than 20 points just once all season.

A less than capacity crowd of 35,782 came to Folsom Field that afternoon (or, as Skip Carey of WTBS would say during Atlanta Braves baseball games during that era, when the Braves were less than stellar in the field: the Colorado crowd represented “a partial sell-out”).

Early, it looked as if it might be Colorado’s day. An interception and a fumble recovery by the Buffs led to drives of 27 and 25 yards and a 14-0 lead early into the second quarter. Thereafter, though, matters just went from frustrating to humiliating.

Randy Essington, healed from bruised ribs suffered in the Oklahoma State game, returned to action, but he was no more effective than Steve…

Texas Tech – Hope Springs Eternal

//posted 9.12.1981

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September 12th – Boulder Colorado 45, Texas Tech 27

As if the 1980 season was just a bad dream, Colorado woke up and began the 1981 season in fine fashion, with a 45-27 rout of Texas Tech before 34,884, CU’s smallest home opening crowd since 1969. Granted, Texas Tech was only 5-6 in 1980. Granted, Texas Tech was not a threat to win the Southwest Conference in 1981.

But a win was a win.

Sophomore quarterback Randy Essington passed for 345 yards, breaking the school record of 278 yards held by Jeff Knapple (1977 v. Kent State). Not to be outdone, fellow sophomore wingback Walter Stanley caught five passes for 222 yards and two TD’s, eclipsing the mark of 158 yards held by CU legend Cliff Branch (1970 v. Missouri). In all, Essington and Stanley established nine new individual records at Colorado on the day. After the game, Fairbanks was quoted as saying: “I didn’t see too many holes in our first units.”

The 1-10 campaign of 1980 had been temporarily forgiven and forgotten.

Hope Springs Eternal

“Well, this is more like it!” We couldn’t help thinking during the game that perhaps CU should have…

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Posts Tagged ‘Randy Essington’

Washington State – “Did you hear?” – Coach Mac’s first win

Cal – Bill McCartney makes his debut as CU head coach

Missouri – Essington back as starter … not a good move

Texas Tech – Hope Springs Eternal

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