Posts Tagged ‘Rocky Mountain News’

Fresno State – Jim Thorpe Classic

//posted 8.26.2001

2001 – Game One – CU v. Fresno State – August 26, 2001

The Jim Thorpe Classic

The Buffs were anxious to play a 12th game in 2001- anything to get the season and put the 3-8 2000 season behind them. The inaugural Jim Thorpe Classic provided such an opportunity. The game was designated to honor the legendary Thorpe, who had starred in college at Carlisle Indian School in 1912 and 1913 before going on to help bring recognition to the fledgling National Football League. The Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s top defensive back since its inception in 1986, had a special place in the hearts of Buff fans. Colorado had already had two winners of the award, with Deon Figures claiming the prize in 1992, followed by Chris Hudson in 1994.

The Buffs’ opponent for the game was Fresno State. The Bulldogs were in search of respect. In order to bring attention to his program, head coach Pat Hill scheduled ambitiously. In addition to the Buffs, Fresno State would in 2001 play non-conference games against Oregon State and Wisconsin. The Beavers were ranked #11 in the preseason poll (and ranked #1 by Sports Illustrated in its preseason…

#10 Oklahoma – John Hessler’s record-setting starting debut

//posted 9.30.1995

(Post your own memories)

Detmer Under the Microscope

Everyone knew shortly after the Texas A&M game was over that quarterback Koy Detmer, whose efforts over the first three games of the season had merited a “Colorado’s Detmer throws his hat into ring” Heisman-watch headline from USA Today (9/18/95), was seriously injured. What happened? Detmer: “It was weird the way it happened. I went to spin out of the pocket and take off running, but my foot was hung up in the turf and when I pushed, my knee kind of dug way in and just kind of twisted it and shifted the bones a little bit.”

A torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury can be career threatening. But how serious was Detmer’s injury? Speculation in the media ran from the positive: “Detmer could return in two weeks” (Buffalo Sporting News, 9/25/95), to the hopeful: “Detmer optimistic despite knee injury” (Denver Post, 9/24/95), to the negative: “Detmer may be out for the season” (Rocky Mountain News, 9/24/95).

What was the truth? “It looks as though if they can brace him and stabilize the knee, he might be able to play”, reported head coach Rick Neuheisel. “Koy is of the mind that he wants to play…

#10 Wisconsin – Badger Mania at Folsom

//posted 9.17.1994

(Post your own memories)

Badger Mania

The Wisconsin Badgers came to Boulder September 17th for a night game to be nationally televised by ESPN. The Badgers were also 1-0 on the ‘94 season, having dispatched Eastern Michigan, 56-0. Wisconsin, ranked 10th in the nation, had been the feel-good story of 1993, having come from nowhere to post a 10-1-1 record. Claiming a share of the Big 10 title for the first time in over three decades, the Badgers made their first trip to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl since 1962. A 21-16 win over UCLA capped a magical year. Out to prove that 1993 had been no fluke, the ‘94 edition of the Badgers was loaded. 15 starters returned for head coach Barry Alvarez, who had turned around a program which had finished 1-10 only four years earlier. Five All-Big Ten offensive players, including Big Ten MVP running back Brent Moss, returned to lead a potent attack. Colorado would certainly have its hands full.

And that was just on the field.

Off the field, another battle was to take place, as the “Cheeseheads” from Wisconsin descended on Boulder. Amongst the most legendary of all tail-gaters, the Wisconsin faithful took to Boulder like, well, foam…

#5 Notre Dame – Orange Bowl – National Champions!*

//posted 1.1.1991

(Post your own memories)

January 1st – @ Miami – Orange Bowl #1 Colorado 10, #5 Notre Dame 9

In a game largely devoid of offensive highlights, the Colorado Buffaloes overcame the loss of two key starters to defeat Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl, 10-9. The hard-fought win enabled Colorado to stake a claim to the Buffs’ first-ever national football championship. An Eric Bieniemy one-yard touchdown run tied the score midway through the third quarter, with Jim Harper’s extra point providing the margin of victory.

Neither the Buffs nor the Irish could dominate their opponent. In the end, the game would come down to the final minute – and one last controversy for Colorado.

First Half

In practice the week before the Orange Bowl, All-Big Eight wide receiver Mike Pritchard broke a bone in his left hand. Pritchard would play, but the air cast he was forced to wear eliminated him from kick returning duties. So for the opening kickoff of the 1991 Orange Bowl, cornerback Dave McCloughan took the field to return the Notre Dame kick. McCloughan was far from a drop-off in terms of kick-returning. In 1990, McCloughan was responsible for 80% of Colorado’s punt returns, leading the Buffs to…

#4 Oklahoma – Goaaalllposts … Goaaalllposts!

//posted 11.15.1986

(Post your own memories)

Colorado v. #4 Oklahoma – November 15, 1986

Goaaaalposts …. Goaaaalposts

On October 25th, as the final seconds of the Nebraska game ticked away, the chant of “Goaaaalposts …. Goaaalposts” drifted through the student section. The indication was clear – the goalposts were coming down. In the stands before the start of the Oklahoma game, the chant returned.

The confidence that lightning really could strike twice, that the Buffs really could conquer both of the “Big Two” in the same season, was only enhanced when the a 120-yard gold ribbon was unfurled just before the kickoff of the Colorado/Oklahoma game. The ribbon stretched from goalpost to goalpost, and was presented by some corporate sponsor (I’m sorry, I can’t remember which one. I’m guessing it was Coors) who had donated the funds to replace the goalposts torn down after the Nebraska game. The fans were given a clear message – nothing would please the school more than to have to replace the goalposts a second time.

It would not be easy.

Oklahoma in 1986, defending its 1985 national championship, was a juggernaut. Coming into the contest against the Buffs, Oklahoma was first in the nation in rushing offense (431.6 yards/game), first in the…

Arizona – Colorado back amongst “Others receiving votes”

//posted 9.28.1985

(Post your own memories)

September 28th – @ Arizona Colorado 14, Arizona 13

A major test for the rejuvenated Buffs would come against Arizona. The game against the Wildcats would be the first road game of the year, and the first night game for Colorado since 1980 (v. LSU). After starting the season 2-1 in 1983, the Buffs succumbed to Notre Dame, and then slid into a five game losing streak. If the 1985 Colorado squad, also possessing a 2-1 record, was to make a statement that black was in fact back, what better way to do so than to post a road victory? The Buffs were a paltry 2-11-1 on the road under Bill McCartney.

To almost everyone’s amazement, Colorado stepped up, pulling out a 14-13 win under the lights in Tucson. As in the Oregon game, the defense ultimately carried the day. Colorado held the Wildcats to just 228 yards of total offense, the best Buff effort in two years. Through the first month of the season, the Buffs’ defense was now ranked 18th in the nation in both rushing and total defense. This rated as quite an improvement for a team which had allowed, on average, over 400 yards and 30…

Kansas – “A sorry state”

//posted 11.14.1981

(Post your own memories)

November 14th – @Kansas Kansas 27, Colorado 0

Kansas came into the game 6-3, but only 2-3 in the Big Eight. As had become custom for Colorado, the defense made an effort, and the score was only 10-0 at half. The Buffs, though, made the Jayhawks look like worldbeaters, completing a second consecutive year without a road win.

Colorado loss was its fourth in a row. Leading ground-gainer Lee Rouson did his part, gaining 73 yards on 19 carries, but the passing game continued to be pathetic. Randy Essington was successful on just eight-of-23 passes for 56 yards and one pick.

Enough said.

A Sorry State

“A Sorry State” was the headline in the Rocky Mountain News on November 15th. The Buffs had fallen to 2-8, while at the same time Air Force was losing to Notre Dame 35-7. Even lower on the scale were the Colorado State Rams, losing at home to lowly New Mexico, 28-16. CSU fell to 0-10 before only 10,149 loyal fans.

A sorry state of affairs – and football – indeed.

- Game Notes -

- Lee Rouson, as a freshman, would lead the Buffs in rushing in 1981, carrying the ball 159…

Drake – Beneath Nadir – “Who the Hell is Drake?”

//posted 10.11.1980

(Post your own memories)

October 11th – Boulder Drake 41, Colorado 22

Colorado responded from the Oklahoma debacle by out-gaining the supposedly out-manned Drake Bulldogs, 379-347. This was not sufficient, however, to prevent a loss to a team the Buffs had surely scheduled as a breather game between games against ranked Big Eight opponents. Colorado certainly had no reason to be overconfident against any team, but they played as if they only needed to put on their pads in order to record their first win of 1980. Seven turnovers later, however, and the Buffs had qualified as one of the worst teams in the country, falling 41-22, to drop the 1980 season record to 0-5.

Colorado actually enjoyed its first lead of the season in this game, as quarterback Charlie Davis led the Buffs to an early 14-3 advantage. Unfortunately for the Buffs, Charlie Davis was injured after scoring the second Colorado touchdown. With back-up quarterback Randy Essington suspended for one game for “disciplinary reasons”, the Buffs attack was placed in the hands of Scott Kingdom. Kingdom failed to come through, though, completing only 10-of-25 passes for130 yards, zero touchdowns and 4 interceptions. By halftime, the Buffs were down 24-14, well on their way…

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Posts Tagged ‘Rocky Mountain News’

Fresno State – Jim Thorpe Classic

#10 Oklahoma – John Hessler’s record-setting starting debut

#10 Wisconsin – Badger Mania at Folsom

#5 Notre Dame – Orange Bowl – National Champions!*

#4 Oklahoma – Goaaalllposts … Goaaalllposts!

Arizona – Colorado back amongst “Others receiving votes”

Kansas – “A sorry state”

Drake – Beneath Nadir – “Who the Hell is Drake?”

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