Game Archive

Oklahoma State – It Must have been the Tie

//posted 10.16.1982

— October 16 – at Oklahoma State Colorado 25, Oklahoma State 25 — It is hard to imagine that anyone would have a revenge factor in playing the Buffs in the early 1980’s, but that is what the Oklahoma State Cowboys were playing for in 1982. Colorado had come from behind for an improbable, last second 11-10 win in 1981 in Boulder. Now it was Oklahoma State’s turn to right the wrong. Everyone else was getting healthy playing the powder-blue Buffs, and the homecoming crowd …

No. 7 Nebraska – In Search of a Rival – Meeting coach Bill McCartney

//posted 10.9.1982

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— October 9th – Boulder No. 7 Nebraska 40, Colorado 14 — Many times, the numbers say it all. 1980: Nebraska 45; Colorado 7. 1981: Nebraska 59; Colorado 0. The last two lopsided losses to the Cornhuskers were only the most recent. In the series, the totals were intimidating. Fourteen straight Nebraska wins overall vs. Colorado. No wins for the Buffs against the Cornhuskers in Boulder since 1960. Nebraska’s record coming into the 1982 game: 3-1, ranked seventh in the nation. Colorado’s record: 1-3 and going …

No. 9 UCLA – “Hey – Don’t I know you from somewhere?”

//posted 10.2.1982

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— October 2nd – Boulder No. 9 UCLA 34, Colorado 6 — For Bruin fans, there was little reason to believe that UCLA’s first-ever visit to Boulder would be anything but a pleasant one. Colorado did little to discredit its role as compliant host, falling 34-6 to the 9th-ranked Bruins. UCLA came into the game 3-0, fresh off of two road wins against Big 10 teams. In the weeks leading up to UCLA’s trip to Boulder, UCLA had beaten back a red sea of Wisconsin fans at Madison, going …

Wyoming – Second loss ever to the Cowboys

//posted 9.25.1982

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— 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 …

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

//posted 9.18.1982

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— September 18th – at Spokane 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 Spokane. 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 …

California – Bill McCartney’s debut not as successful as hoped

//posted 9.11.1982

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— September 11th – Boulder California 31, Colorado 17 — There was renewed optimism as the Colorado football program opened the 1982 season with a new head coach. 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 …

May, 1982 – Fair Weather Fairbanks – “The End of an Error”

//posted 5.31.1982

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— Fair weather Fairbanks — Despite compiling a 7-26 record over three seasons, and recording Colorado’s first string of three consecutive losing campaigns in almost twenty years, head coach Chuck Fairbanks still had a job as the 1981 season came to a close. With this record, when combined with the off the field difficulties the program had endured, few would have been shocked if Fairbanks had been sent on his way. Still, athletic director Eddie Crowder remained loyal to his coach. As things turned out, it was Fairbanks who was …

Kansas State – Fairbanks goes out a winner

//posted 11.21.1981

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— November 21st – Boulder Colorado 24, Kansas State 21 — There was little to entice a crowd to Folsom Field to come out for the last game of the 1981 season. Colorado limped into the game 2-8 and 1-5 in Big Eight play. Kansas State, for its part, came into the contest with similar 2-8 and 1-5 marks. Kansas State had even lost that year to the seemingly mighty Drake Bulldogs, at home, 18-17. The only issue to be decided on this day was which team would finish 7th in …

Tags: Chuck Fairbanks, Lee Rouson
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Kansas – Rocky Mountain News: Colorado “A sorry state”

//posted 11.14.1981

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— November 14th – at Kansas Kansas 27, Colorado 0 — Kansas came into the game 6-3, but only 2-3 in the Big Eight, giving Buff fans at least some hope for an upset. Not so much. 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 world-beaters, completing a second consecutive year without a road win, as Kansas rolled to a 27-0 victory. The loss was the Buffs’ fourth in a row, dropping …

Missouri – Essington back as starter (not a good move)

//posted 11.7.1981

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— November 7th – 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, but squandered opportunities led to a 30-14 loss to the Tigers. 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, …

No. 19 Oklahoma – Buffs hold Sooners without a completed pass

//posted 10.31.1981

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— October 31st – at Oklahoma No. 19 Oklahoma 49, Colorado 0 — An Oklahoma blowout of Colorado was, unfortunately, familiar territory for the Buffs. In 1981, the final was 49-0. Same song, different year. Having started out the season uncharacteristically slow at 1-2-1, the Sooners faced the Buffs with a 3-2-1 record, coming off consecutive romps over Kansas (45-7) and Oregon State (42-3). With the modest two game winning streak, the Sooners were again ranked nationally, meaning that, for the 10th consecutive season, Colorado faced a ranked Oklahoma team. Steve Vogel …

Tags: Lee Rouson, Steve Vogel
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No. 14 Iowa State – Buffs face a ranked Cyclone team

//posted 10.24.1981

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— October 24th – at Iowa State No. 14 Iowa State 17, Colorado 10 — Steve Vogel, the hero of the Oklahoma State game, made his first career start as a Buff in Ames against No. 14 Iowa State. It was an inauspicious debut, as the Colorado offense struggled in a tough 17-10 loss to the Cyclones. Vogel’s numbers indicate the ineffectiveness of the offense on the day: 12-for-16 passing, but for only 89 yards and no touchdowns; two rushes for minus-three yards. Colorado was led by junior halfback Richard …