Posts Tagged ‘Ray Cone’

Kansas State – Wildcats earn first-ever bowl bid

//posted 11.20.1982

November 20 – @Kansas State Kansas State 33, Colorado 10

Fresh from its largest margin of victory since 1978, the Buffs had a small degree of momentum going into the season finale against Kansas State in Manhattan. The Wildcats, for their part, despite a 5-4-1 overall record, were on a two-game losing streak. Kansas State needed a win over Colorado to finish with a winning season, and, with a little help, earn the first bowl bid in the school’s history.

The game was never really in doubt after the first half of the first quarter. Trailing 7-0, the Buffs faced a fourth down from their own 22 yard line. Colorado attempted a fake punt, but Tony Rettig tripped and fell, giving the Wildcats the ball at the Buff 22 yard line. Six plays later, it was 14-0 Kansas State, and the Buffs were never closer than seven points the remainder of the game. The Wildcats rolled to a 33-10 win, and, as had been the case in Boulder the weekend before, the goalposts came down. “It was our old nemisis,” said Bill McCartney. “We had our opportunities, and we squandered most of them.”

Steve Vogel played the entire game, passing the ball for a record-tying…

#17 Oklahoma – Progress in small doses

//posted 10.30.1982

(Post your own memories)

October 30 – Boulder #17 Oklahoma 45, Colorado 10

At 1-5-1, the Buffs were not likely to pose much of a threat to the 5-2 Sooners. As the game unfolded, the Oklahoma game became a representation of the 1982 season in a nutshell: a great deal of heart; a stubborn defense; and an eventual submission to a more talented foe.

Considering that the last two games with Oklahoma had left Colorado on the short end of 82-42 and 49-0 scores, the fact that the score at halftime was 10-10 was just this side of remarkable. Add to this the tidbit that the Oklahoma touchdown came on a 77-yard punt return, and it is clear how well the defense of Colorado was playing. Turnovers in the second half led to quick Sooner scores, leaving the final score of 45-10 much more to the Sooner faithful’s liking. “I thought it was another game where we blew opportunities,” said Bill McCartney. “We fought for awhile, and then we just broke down and hurt ourselves.” On the day, Oklahoma passed only eight times, but ran the ball 76 times (for 368 yards) to wear down the Buffs.

Still, progress was being noted. A column in the…

Wyoming – Second loss ever to the Cowboys

//posted 9.25.1982

(Post your own memories)

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…

California – Bill McCartney makes his debut as CU head coach

//posted 9.11.1982

(Post your own memories)

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…

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Posts Tagged ‘Ray Cone’

Kansas State – Wildcats earn first-ever bowl bid

#17 Oklahoma – Progress in small doses

Wyoming – Second loss ever to the Cowboys

California – Bill McCartney makes his debut as CU head coach

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