September 1981 – CU At the Game

No. 11 BYU – Pick your poison – McMahon replaced by Young

//posted 9.26.1981

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— September 26th – Boulder No. 11 BYU 41, Colorado 20 — Brigham Young University came to Boulder 3-0 and ranked 11th in the nation. BYU was led by senior quarterback Jim McMahon, a walking record book. McMahon was just coming off a four touchdown performance against UTEP, leading the Cougars to a 65-8 laugher. It was safe to say that the brash quarterback did not fear the Buffs. McMahon was quoted as saying: “Oklahoma rushed for 800 yards (against Colorado). We won’t rush for 800, but I’d like to …

Washington State – “You’ve got to be kidding me”

//posted 9.19.1981

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— September 19th – Boulder Washington State 14, Colorado 10 — Washington State came into Boulder 1-0, coming off a warm-up game against none other than Division I-AA Montana State, winning 33-21. The Cougars had only been 4-7 in 1980, so the game matched two teams looking to erase the memories of the previous campaign, and gain confidence by starting 1981 at 2-0. Colorado led the game 10-0, and had possession of the football with under four minutes to go in the game. A 2-0 start was within the Buffs’ …

Texas Tech – Walter Stanley – 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. 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). …

Nowhere to go but up / Blue and gold uniforms

//posted 9.5.1981

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— National and Big Eight recap – 1981 — In 1981, the Clemson Tigers brought a National Championship back to the Atlantic Coast Conference for the first time since 1953. Clemson capped off a 12-0 campaign with a 22-15 defeat of Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. The Tigers were not led by household names, but team players such as quarterback Homer Jordan, flanker Perry Tuttle, and tailback Cliff Austin all contributed to the championship. Coach Danny Ford was the consensus coach of the year, but the Heisman went to a …