Posts Tagged ‘Rick Wheeler’

CU Transition Classes

//posted 2.1.2011

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Transition Classes

It is axiomatic that a new head coach will have a difficult time with their first recruiting class. After all, the new coach comes in late in the recruiting cycle, usually in December, well after other schools have their incoming class of recruits fairly well formulated. What’s more, in most instances, the new head coach is coming into a situation where the former coaching staff has been let go, with losing records most often the culprit.

Jon Embree became the 24th head coach in Colorado history on December 6th. He took over a program mired in a five year streak of losing records, the second longest streak in Colorado history. Because of the recent record, and because of his late hire, Embree is being given a pass by most of the Buff Nation on the recruiting Class of 2011.

But should that be the case?

For guidance, let’s take a look at the first recuiting classes of the past four Colorado head coaches …

Dan Hawkins – Class of 2006

Unlike Jon Embree, Hawkins inherited a team with a winning record. In fact, Colorado had won the Big 12 North title four of the previous five seasons, including the previous two. By the same…

#5 Nebraska – Brad incites Cornhusker fans with rendition of “Boomer Sooner”

//posted 11.28.1987

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November 28th – Boulder #5 Nebraska 24, Colorado 7

Colorado had Nebraska right where they wanted them.

The Cornhuskers had lost the 1987 Game-of-the-Year to Oklahoma the week before. Nebraska, ranked No. 1 in the nation for the first time all season, fell to No. 2 Oklahoma (which had been ranked No. 1 every week previous) at home, by a final score of 17-7. Nebraska players could have been forgiven for not being up for playing Colorado after absorbing a natioanal championship run-ending defeat. Oklahoam was now heading for Miami, the Orange Bowl, and a shot at the National Championship, while Nebraska, though still playing on New Year’s Day, was relegated to the Fiesta Bowl and diminished national attention.

Colorado, angry at having been passed over for a bowl bid despite a 7-3 record, could take the opportunity to defeat hated Nebraska for the second consecutive year, tie the Cornhuskers and Oklahoma State for second place in the conference race, and earn for the Buffs much needed national respect.

The only problem was that, despite the loss to Oklahoma, Nebraska remained ranked in the top five in the country, and with good reason. Coming into the Colorado game, Nebraska was second in the nation…

Washington State – Sal Aunese makes an impression

//posted 9.26.1987

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September 26th – Boulder Colorado 26, Washington State 17

Another day, another game, another Buff making an impression. This time it was sophomore quarterback Sal Aunese, subbing for injured starter Mark Hatcher, who made a splash. Aunese did not start, but played a significant role in leading Colorado to a 26-17 win over Washington State. Aunese carried the ball 22 times for 185 yards and one touchdown. Aunese also completed one of his three passes, a thirty-yarder to Eric Bieniemy.

Washington State, led by first-year coach Dennis Erickson, were 2-1 coming into the game, having beaten Fresno State and Wyoming before falling to Michigan. Erickson brought in a Cougar squad which had finished 3-7-1 in 1986.

In all, the Buffs accumulated a season high 425 yards on the ground against the Cougars. Still, the Buffs led only 19-17 after Washington State quarterback Timm Rosenbach connected on a 16-yard scoring pass to tight end Chris Leighton with 11:17 to play. After J.J. Flannigan bobbled a Sal Aunese pitch, fumbling at the Colorado 25, the Buffs were in a position to lose. The Colorado defense rose to the occasion, though, forcing a field goal attempt. The kicked sailed wide, and the Buffs retained…

Stanford – Bieniemy’s 1st 100-yard game – Fun with initials

//posted 9.19.1987

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September 19th – Boulder Colorado 31, Stanford 17

Colorado looked to right its ship, and even the 1987 season mark at 1-1, with a game against Stanford.

The Cardinal came into the game 0-1, having lost its season-opener to Washington, 31-21. Stanford was not to be overlooked, however, having posted an 8-4 mark in 1986, including a trip to the Gator Bowl. Stanford’s bowl appearance had been its first in eight years, and the first for fourth-year head coach Jack Elway.

Unlike the Oregon game, which ended 10-7, scoring in the Colorado-Stanford game came fast and furious. The Buffs took the opening kickoff and traveled 75 yards in eight plays to take the lead. Tiny (5′ 6″, 185 pounds) freshman halfback Eric Bieniemy did the honors from two yards out, giving Colorado its first lead of the 1987 season, 7-0. Stanford quickly responded with a touchdown drive of its own, scoring on a 48-yard pass from Greg Ennis to Walter Batson against the Buffs’ heralded secondary.

On the Buffs’ next series, halfback J.J. Flannigan scored on a 17-yard run to cap an 80-yard drive. With 8:27 still remaining in the first quarter, the score was 14-7 Colorado. The two teams…

1987 Preseason – “Breaking Away” – Buffs hope to build on successful 1986

//posted 8.25.1987

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National and Big Eight recap – 1987

A pattern established in 1982-83 repeated itself in 1986-87. In 1983, the Miami Hurricanes won the school’s first national championship, a year after Penn State had won its first crown. In 1987, a year after Penn State recorded national championship No. 2, the 1987 Hurricanes again followed suit, giving both schools two titles in the 1980′s. Led by offensive stars quarterback Steve Walsh, running back Melvin Bratton, and wide receivers Michael Irvin and Brian Blades, Miami went 12-0 in 1987. The Hurricanes completed its undefeated season at home by defeating a previously unbeaten Oklahoma squad, 20-14, in the Orange Bowl. Despite going undefeated and having multiple stars, the Hurricanes were shut out of the national awards. Notre Dame flanker Tim Brown received the Heisman trophy, while Miami’s Big East rival Syracuse took home two awards, as Orangeman quarterback Don McPherson received the Maxwell award, while coach Dick MacPherson was named Coach of the Year.

In the Big Eight, it was the same-old same-old at the top. In 1987 Oklahoma, for the third consecutive year, went undefeated in conference play. For the third time in five seasons, the Sooners played for the national title. The…

Iowa State – Buffs make it look easy

//posted 10.19.1985

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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…

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Posts Tagged ‘Rick Wheeler’

CU Transition Classes

#5 Nebraska – Brad incites Cornhusker fans with rendition of “Boomer Sooner”

Washington State – Sal Aunese makes an impression

Stanford – Bieniemy’s 1st 100-yard game – Fun with initials

1987 Preseason – “Breaking Away” – Buffs hope to build on successful 1986

Iowa State – Buffs make it look easy

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