Colorado Buffaloes football
Colorado Buffaloes football | |||
---|---|---|---|
| |||
First season | 1890 | ||
Athletic director | Rick George | ||
Head coach |
Mike MacIntyre 3rd year, 6–18 (.250) | ||
Stadium | Folsom Field | ||
Year built | 1924[1] | ||
Seating capacity | 53,613[1] | ||
Field surface | Natural Grass | ||
Location | Boulder, Colorado | ||
NCAA division | NCAA Division I FBS | ||
Conference | Pac-12 | ||
Division | South | ||
Past conferences |
Big 12 Conference 1996–2011 Big Eight Conference 1948–1996 Mountain States Conference 1938–1948 RMAC 1909–1938 Colorado Football Association 1893–1909 | ||
All-time record | 681–481–36 (.583) | ||
Bowl record | 12–16 (.429) | ||
Claimed nat'l titles | 1 (1990) | ||
Conference titles | 26[2] | ||
Division titles | 4 | ||
Heisman winners | 1 [3] | ||
Consensus All-Americans | 30 (5 unanimous) [4] | ||
Current uniform | |||
Colors |
Black, Gold, and Silver[5] | ||
Fight song | Fight CU | ||
Mascot | Ralphie | ||
Marching band | Golden Buffalo Marching Band | ||
Rivals |
Colorado State Rams (1893–1958; since 1983) Utah Utes (1903–1962; since 2011) Nebraska Cornhuskers (1898–2010) | ||
Website | CUBuffs.com |
The Colorado Buffaloes football program represents the University of Colorado Boulder in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The team is currently a member of the Pac-12 Conference, having previously been a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. Before joining the Big 12, they were members of the Big Eight Conference. The CU football team has played at Folsom Field since 1924.[1] The Buffs all-time record is 681–491–36 (.583 winning percentage) through the finish of the 2014 season. Colorado won a National Championship in 1990. The football program is 23rd on the all-time win list and 30th in all-time winning percentage. The football team also has the distinction of being the all-time NCAA leader in 4th down conversions. They are one of two NCAA Division I teams to complete a 5th down conversion (the other being Cornell). This was a result of a mistake by the officials and happened on a play displayed by chaincrew as the 4th down.
History
Beginning in 1890, Colorado football has enjoyed much success throughout its 125+ years of competitive play. The Buffaloes have won numerous bowl games (27 appearances in bowl games (12–15), 23rd (tied) all-time prior to 2004 season), eight Colorado Football Association Championships (1894–97, 1901–08), Colorado Faculty Athletic Conference (1909), seven RFMAC Championships (1911, 1913, 1923, 1924, 1934, 1935, 1937), four Mountain States Conference Championships (1939, 1942–1944), five Big Eight conference championships (1961, 1976, 1989, 1990, 1991), one Big 12 conference championship (2001), four Big 12 North Division Championships (2001, 2002, 2004, 2005), and a National Championship (1990 – Associated Press).
Folsom Field was built in 1924, and since then, Colorado has a 301–165–14 record at home through the 2014 season. The road game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on November 24, 2006 was Colorado's 1,100th football game. The game set for September 12, 2015 against Massachusetts is scheduled to be the 1,200th football game.
The following was taken from the Silver & Gold newspaper of December 16, 1898. It was a recollection of the birth of Colorado football written by one of CU’s original gridders, John C. Nixon, also the school’s second captain. It appears here in its original form:
“ | At the beginning of the first semester in the fall of ’90 the boys rooming at the dormitory on the campus of the U. of C. being afflicted with a super-abundance of penned up energy, or perhaps having recently drifted from under the parental wing and delighting in their newly found freedom, decided among other wild schemes, to form an athletic association. Messrs Carney, Whittaker, Layton and others, who at that time constituted a majority of the male population of the University, called a meeting of the campus boys in the old medical building. Nixon was elected president and Holden secretary of the association.
It was voted that the officers constitute a committee to provide uniform suits in which to play what was called “association football”. Suits of flannel were ultimately procured and paid for assessments on the members of the association and generous contributions from members of the faculty. The University at that time had about the best baseball team in the state composed of such star players as Ingram, Blake, Carnahan, Rust, Neighoff and others. But it was a reflection upon us that although it was styled the University baseball team, it was composed mainly of outsiders, who had no connection with the U. of C. It was the object of the newly organized association to ultimately absorb the baseball team, even if it was mercilessly whipped in that, as it was afterwards scourged in football. Whatever may have been said of their playing, the boys were made of that stuff called “American Grit,” and had no conception of what the word failure meant. To them defeat was simply a severe lesson which was to teach them how to win in the future. Taking up the game of association football the boys practiced quite regularly and under the instruction of Hosford, who was an Englishman of extraordinary proficiency in the game, they soon became adepts in the art of running at full speed and keeping the ball almost fairly between the feet. I called this an art, as I consider excellence in any athletic sport an art. The graceful swing of a trained foot-runner is as fair a sight as the rhythmic waltzer, or as credible a performance as that of an opera singer. After becoming proficient in this game we learned that all other football teams of the state played what was called the Rugby game, and as we could not attain state or national renown playing among ourselves, it became a question whether we would make a change or not. Only two in the association had ever seen a Rugby game and it was reported as fiendish beyond comprehension. The rush of a Rugby team was likened to the stampede of a herd of Texas cattle: nevertheless the boys decided to throw themselves in front and die a la Leon idas, and succeeding events showed that they had not overestimated the opposition. The association had two factions—no live organization is ever harmonious—and the lesser faction always opposed the propositions of the majority. In this instance they had secured the individual promises of the eleven of the twenty four members to oppose a change of the game, and as it required the assent of two-thirds to accomplish this the remaining members decided to adopt the tactics of wearing out their opponents in the meeting. The session lasted one entire afternoon until darkness came upon them, during which, bursts of orator, pro and con, and imminent danger of pugilistic strife pervaded the atmosphere. The vote stood 16–8 in favor of a change and the University football team was launched on a broader basis. This vote was followed by our throwing the association open for membership to the whole student body, (and a limited number of outsiders, if we should need them), but time showed that the vim and snap of the college man was not possessed by those outside. Holden was sent as our representative to a meeting of the state league and bound us for the forthcoming games with only two weeks of preparation, learning the game almost entirely from the rule book, nine of the eleven having never seen a Rugby game clad in the flannel suits without padding, the average weight of the team being about 140 pounds, we went to Denver and lined up against the D.A.C. team, composed of graduate college players. It was also their first game, they having just organized, and the way they ran out ends was astonishing, but in this game our team developed a characteristic which it has even since maintained, which was this, that although our line was much lighter than that of our opponents, they would be carried steadily back whenever they attempted a line play against us. One week later, with four of our best men too maimed and bruised to play, the Golden giants came down on us. Our boys went down like a row of pins and the Goldenites went over the top. Score 103 to 0. In the return game with Golden, Darley made our first touchdown: score 44–4, and Golden prophesied our future success. We lost one game with Colorado Springs and the Springs and the D.A.C. team which forfeited, giving us third place in the percentage list. We paraded that percentage list before our eyes with unbounded satisfaction. It mattered not how we came by it, we had it. President Hale, who from the first took a kindly interest in the team, also did other members of the faculty, advanced the money with which to buy padded suits, but we did not obtain them in time to use that season. The following year the team commenced training as soon as the semester opened, and has since taken its true position as one of the most formidable teams in the west. Of the original team, James, Carney, Layton, Putnam and others, became among the best players in the state. The Athletic Association should now invigorate its base-ball and place it at par with its football team; and it certainly has the material with which to do it. The U of C should henceforth lead the state and possibly the west in athletic sports. The style of football playing has altered considerably; by the old rules, all men in front of the runner with the ball, were offside, consequently we could not send backs through and break the line ahead of the ball as is done at present. The notorious V was then in vogue, which gave a heavy team too much advantage. The mass plays being now barred, skill on the football field is more in demand than mere weight and strength. To the physically weak, football appears like a relic of barbarism at par with the Spanish bull fight, but, considering the course of training that the player must take, he becomes hardened and inured to danger, in serious casualties become few. The player develops physical strength and mental composure in the face of fierce and determined opposition, which enables him to better battle with the competition and business worries succeeding school life, of which the average student knows nothing and with which he usually buffets helplessly for years. A successful football team will advertise a University and attract as many male students as its educational facilities. This is avowedly admitted by Yale and Princeton authorities, hence the game should be encouraged by college faculties. It is not to the discredit of the American youth that he is thus attracted. It is indicative that he possesses hardihood and vigor and will not sink into lassitude and degeneracy which characterize the population of a degenerate nation. It is often said, how little we know: so with a modest sense of humility, college graduate I after years look back, not to the mountain of learning that he or she surmounted, but the incidents in college life that bind them to so many friends, intellectual ennobling friends. Thoughts of those exercises in sports, fraught with just a little danger, will continue to the end as a refreshing fountain inspiring new life. |
” | |
— Silver & Gold, [6] |
1990 national championship
Colorado won its first national championship in 1990 under the direction of head coach Bill McCartney, who helmed the team from 1982 to 1994. The national title was split with Georgia Tech who won the United Press International Coaches Poll, whereas Colorado won the Associated Press and Football Writers Association of America polls. The largest arguments against Colorado were that they had a loss and a tie, whereas Georgia Tech had a tie and no losses, and Colorado's "unfair" win in the Fifth Down Game against Missouri. A lesser controversy was a Colorado's Orange Bowl win over Notre Dame, which Colorado won in part because of a controversial clipping call that brought back a Notre Dame touchdown. The major argument for Colorado was that they played a more difficult schedule than Georgia Tech.[7] Colorado capped the season with a 10–9 win over Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl, a rematch of the 1989 season Orange Bowl game which Notre Dame won 21–6. Colorado's tie came against Tennessee, who was ranked number 8, the first week of the season when Colorado was ranked number 5. The second week gave the Buffs a scare, scoring with 12 seconds left in the game on a 4th and Goal attempt. The next week gave Colorado its only loss of the season, losing 23–22 to Illinois and dropping Colorado to number 20 in the polls. Colorado then went on to beat teams ranked (at the time) #22 Texas, #12 Washington, #22 Oklahoma, and #3 Nebraska. They ended the season 7–0 in the Big Eight Conference for the second straight season. They then capped the season with a win over Notre Dame who were number 1 until a loss in their second to last game of the regular season.[8]
Rank | School | Record (W-L-T) | Points |
1 | Colorado (39) | 11–1–1 | 1,475 |
2 | Georgia Tech (20) | 11–0–1 | 1,441 |
3 | Miami (FL) (1) | 10–2 | 1,388 |
4 | Florida State | 10–2 | 1,303 |
5 | Washington | 10–2 | 1,246 |
6 | Notre Dame | 9–3 | 1,179 |
7 | Michigan | 9–3 | 1,025 |
8 | Tennessee | 9–2–2 | 993 |
9 | Clemson | 10–2 | 950 |
10 | Houston | 10–1 | 940 |
11 | Penn State | 9–3 | 907 |
12 | Texas | 10–2 | 887 |
13 | Florida | 9–2 | 863 |
14 | Louisville | 10–1–1 | 775 |
15 | Texas A&M | 9–3–1 | 627 |
16 | Michigan State | 8–3–1 | 610 |
17 | Oklahoma | 8–3 | 452 |
18 | Iowa | 8–4 | 370 |
19 | Auburn | 8–3–1 | 288 |
20 | So. California | 8–4–1 | 266 |
21 | Mississippi | 9–3 | 253 |
22 | Brigham Young | 10–3 | 246 |
23 | Virginia | 8–4 | 188 |
24 | Nebraska | 9–3 | 185 |
25 | Illinois | 8–4 | 146 |
Yearly results
Move to the Pac-12
On June 10, 2010, the Colorado Buffaloes accepted an invitation to become the 11th member of the Pac-12 Conference.[9] The move represented the first expansion of the Pacific-10 Conference since it added Arizona and Arizona State in 1978.[10] The Buffaloes began play in the Pac-12 in 2011. Moving from the Big 12 to the Pac-12 did not stop the Colorado vs Colorado State rivalry. This rivalry game will continue to be played through the 2020 season.[11] The rivalry game with the Colorado State Rams will be played at Sports Authority Field in Denver until 2019.[12]
All-time record vs. Pac-12
|
Bowl results
Date | Bowl | Opponent | Result | Score | Attendance | TV | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1938 | Cotton | Rice | L | 14 | 28 | 35,000 | |
1957 | Orange | Clemson | W | 27 | 21 | 72,552 | NBC |
1962 | Orange | LSU | L | 7 | 25 | 62,391 | NBC |
1967 | Bluebonnet | Miami (FL) | W | 31 | 21 | 30,156 | ABC |
1969 | Liberty | Alabama | W | 47 | 33 | 50,144 | ABC |
1970 | Liberty | Tulane | L | 3 | 17 | 44,500 | ABC |
1971 | Bluebonnet | Houston (N) | W | 29 | 17 | 54,720 | ABC |
1972 | Gator | Auburn | L | 3 | 24 | 71,114 | ABC |
1975 | Bluebonnet | Texas | L | 21 | 38 | 52,728 | ABC |
1977 | Orange | Ohio State (N) | L | 10 | 27 | 65,537 | NBC |
1985 | Freedom | Washington | L | 17 | 20 | 30,961 | Lorimar |
1986 | Bluebonnet | Baylor | L | 9 | 21 | 40,470 | Raycom |
1988 | Freedom | Brigham Young (N) | L | 17 | 20 | 35,941 | Raycom |
1989 | Orange | Notre Dame (N) | L | 6 | 21 | 81,191 | NBC |
1990 | Orange | Notre Dame (N) | W | 10 | 9 | 77,062 | NBC |
1991 | Blockbuster | Alabama (N) | L | 25 | 30 | 52,644 | CBS |
1993 | Fiesta | Syracuse | L | 22 | 26 | 70,224 | NBC |
1993 | Aloha | Fresno State | W | 41 | 30 | 44,009 | ABC |
1995 | Fiesta | Notre Dame | W | 41 | 24 | 73,968 | NBC |
1996 | Cotton | Oregon | W | 38 | 6 | 58,214 | CBS |
1996 | Holiday | Washington (N) | W | 33 | 21 | 54,749 | ESPN |
1998 | Aloha | Oregon | W | 51 | 43 | 34,803 | ABC |
1999 | Insight.com | Boston College | W | 62 | 28 | 35,762 | ESPN |
2001 | Fiesta | Oregon | L | 16 | 38 | 74,118 | ABC |
2002 | Alamo | Wisconsin (N)(OT) | L | 28 | 31 | 50,690 | ESPN |
2004 | Houston | Texas-El Paso | W | 33 | 28 | 27,235 | ESPN |
2005 | Champs Sports | Clemson | L | 10 | 19 | 31,470 | ESPN |
2007 | Independence | Alabama | L | 24 | 30 | 47,043 | ESPN |
Current coaching staff
Name | Position |
---|---|
Brian Lindgren[13] | Offensive Coordinator |
Jim Leavitt | Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers |
Klayton Adams | Running Backs/Tight Ends |
Gary Bernardi | Offensive Line |
Charles Clark | Cornerbacks |
Jim Jeffcoat | Defensive Lineman |
Toby Neinas | Special Teams Coordinator |
Joe Tumpkin | Safeties |
Troy Walters | Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator |
Head coaches
The Buffaloes have played in 1,109 games during their 125 seasons, through 2014. In those seasons, nine coaches have led Colorado to postseason bowl games: Bunny Oakes, Dallas Ward, Bud Davis, Eddie Crowder, Bill Mallory, Bill McCartney, Rick Neuheisel, Gary Barnett, and Dan Hawkins. Nine coaches have won conference championships with the Buffaloes: Fred Folsom, Myron Witham, William Saunders, Oakes, Jim Yeager, Sonny Grandelius, Mallory, McCartney, and Barnett.
McCartney is the all-time leader in games coached, with 153, total wins, with 93, and conference wins, with 58.[14] Folsom had the longest tenure as head coach, remaining in the position for 15 seasons. Harry Heller and Willis Keinholtz are tied for the highest overall winning percentage. Each served a single season and won eight of his nine games for a winning percentage of .889. Of coaches who served more than one season, Folsom leads with a .765 winning percentage. Davis is, in terms of overall winning percentage, the worst coach the Buffaloes have had with a .200 winning percentage. No Colorado coach has been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. McCartney is the only coach to have won national coach of the year honors, with all of them coming in 1989. Barnett won conference coach of the year honors in 2001 and 2004. The most recent coach, Mike MacIntyre, was hired on Dec. 10, 2012.[15] MacIntyre has compiled a 6–18 record in his first two seasons at Colorado.
Players
Current NFL players
- Paul Richardson – Seattle Seahawks – WR
- David Bakhtiari – Green Bay Packers – OT
- Justin Bannan – DT
- Jalil Brown – Indianapolis Colts – CB
- Mason Crosby – Green Bay Packers – K
- Justin Drescher – New Orleans Saints – LS
- Andre Gurode – OG
- Brad Jones – Philadelphia Eagles – LB
- Tyler Polumbus – Atlanta Falcons – OT
- Jimmy Smith – Baltimore Ravens – CB
- Nate Solder – New England Patriots – OT
- Terrence Wheatley – CB
- Ryan Miller -Denver Broncos – Offensive Line
Former NFL players
- Dick Anderson – Miami Dolphins – S
- Bobby Anderson – Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos – RB
- Troy Archer – New York Giants – DT
- Tom Ashworth – New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks – T
- Estes Banks – Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals – RB
- Marlon Barnes – Chicago Bears – RB
- Brad Bedell – Houston Texans – G
- Mitch Berger – Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams, New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos – P
- Frank Bernardi – Chicago Cardinals, Denver Broncos – DB
- Tony Berti – San Diego Chargers, Seattle Seahawks – T
- Greg Biekert – Oakland Raiders – LB
- Eric Bienemy – Cincinnati Bengals – RB
- Frank Bosch – Washington Redskins – DT
- Ronnie Bradford – Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings – DB
- Cliff Branch – Oakland Raiders – WR
- Tyler Brayton – Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts – DT/DE[17]
- Paul Briggs – Detroit Lions – T
- Pete Brock – New England Patriots – OL
- Stan Brock – New Orleans, San Diego – T
- Tom Brookshier – Philadelphia Eagles – DB
- Chad Brown – Pittsburgh Steelers – LB
- Chris Brown – Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans – RB
- Bill Brundige – Washington – DE
- Larry Brunson – Kansas City, Oakland, Denver – WR
- Cullen Bryant – L.A. Rams, Seattle – RB
- Brian Cabral – Atlanta, Green Bay, Chicago – LB
- J.V. Cain – St. Louis – TE
- Brian Calhoun – Detroit – RB
- Gary Campbell – Chicago – LB
- Jeff Campbell- Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos- WR
- Rae Carruth – Carolina Panthers – WR
- Darrin Chiaverini – Cleveland Browns – WR
- Franklin Clarke – Cleveland, Dallas – WR
- Shannon Clavelle – Green Bay – DE
- Mark Cooney – Green Bay – LB
- Eric Coyle – Washington – C
- Claude Crabb – Washington, Philadelphia, L.A. Rams – DB
- T. J. Cunningham – Seattle – S
- Brian Daniels – Minnesota Vikings – G
- Charlie Davis – Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – RB
- Mike Davis – Oakland, L.A. Raiders, San Diego – DB
- John Denvir – Denver – G
- Koy Detmer – Philadelphia Eagles – QB
- Tyson DeVree – Indianapolis Colts – TE
- Jordon Dizon – Detroit Lions – LB
- Jeff Donaldson – Houston Oilers, Kansas City, Atlanta – DB
- Eddie Dove – San Francisco, NY Giants – CB
- Boyd Dowler – Green Bay Packers – WR
- Jon Embree – Los Angeles Rams – TE
- Christian Fauria – Seattle Seahawks – TE
- Mark Fenton – Denver Broncos – C
- Deon Figures – Pittsburgh, Jacksonville – CB
- Bill Frank – Dallas – T
- Joe Garten – Green Bay Packers – OL
- Daniel Graham – Denver Broncos, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints – TE
- Charlie Greer (American football) – Denver – DB
- Dan Grimm – Green Bay, Atlanta, Baltimore Colts, Washington – G
- D.J. Hackett – Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers – WR
- Carroll Hardy – San Francisco – WR
- Don Hasselbeck – New England Patriots, Los Angeles Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants – TE
- Dennis Havig – Atlanta Falcons – G
- Mark Haynes – NY Giants, Denver – CB
- Ralph Heck – Philadelphia, Atlanta, NY Giants – LB
- Barry Helton – San Francisco, LA Rams – P
- Jerry Hillebrand – NY Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers – LB
- Merwin Hodel – NY Giants – FB
- Darius Holland – Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos – DT
- Greg Horton – LA Rams, Tampa Bay – OL
- Garry Howe – Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Indianapolis – DT
- Chris Hudson – Jacksonville, Chicago, Atlanta – S
- Heath Irwin – New England, Miami, St. Louis – G
- Brian Iwuh – Chicago Bears – LB
- Charles Johnson – Pittsburgh Steelers – WR
- Charlie Johnson – Philadelphia, Minnesota – DT
- Ken Johnson (Canadian football) – Buffalo – QB
- Richard Johnson (wide receiver) – Washington, Detroit – WR
- Sam Rogers – Bills, Falcons, Chargers – LB
- Ted Johnson – New England Patriots – LB
- Fred Jones – Buffalo, Kansas City – LB
- Greg Jones (linebacker, born 1974) – Washington, Chicago, Arizona, Houston – LB
- Vance Joseph – NY Jets, Indianapolis – CB
- Ben Kelly – Miami, New England – CB
- Jon Keyworth – Denver – RB
- Mark Koncar – Green Bay Packers, Houston Oilers – T
- Joe Klopfenstein – St. Louis Rams, Buffalo Bills – TE
- Gary Knafelc – Chicago Cardinals, Green Bay, San Francisco – TE
- Mark Koncar – Green Bay, Houston Oilers – T
- Mike Kozlowski – Miami Dolphins – S
- Terry Kunz – Oakland Raiders – RB
- Jay Leeuwenburg – Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts – OL
- Matt Lepsis – Denver Broncos – T
- Michael Lewis – Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams – S
- Dave Logan – Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos – WR
- Wayne Lucier – NY Giants – OL
- Vaka Manupuna – Washington Redskins – DB
- Bo Matthews – San Diego, NY Giants, Miami – RB
- Matt McChesney – New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, Frankfurt Galaxy (NFL Europe) – OL
- Dave McCloughan – Indianapolis, Green Bay, Seattle – Defensive Back
- Mike McCoy – Green Bay – Cornerback
- Kanavis McGhee – NY Giants, Cincinnati, Houston Oilers
- Odis McKinney – NY Giants, Oakland/LA Raiders, Kansas City – Cornerback
- Ron Merkerson – New England – Linebacker
- Matt Miller – Cleveland – T
- Mike Montler – Boston/New England, Buffalo, Denver, Detroit – Center
- Emery Moorehead – NY Giants, Denver, Chicago – Tight End/Wide Receiver
- Chris Naeole – New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars – Offensive Guard
- Hannibal Navies – Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals, San Francisco 49ers – Linebacker
- Erik Norgard – Houston Oilers – Center / Guard
- Gabe Nyenhuis – Indianapolis Colts – Defensive End
- Lance Olander – Seattle Seahawks – Running Back
- Herb Orvis – Detroit Lions – Defensive Tackle
- Whitney Paul – Kansas City, New Orleans – Linebacker
- Rod Perry – LA Rams, Cleveland – Defensive Back
- Mike Pritchard – Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos – Wide Receiver
- Mickey Pruitt – Chicago, Dallas – Linebacker
- Vince Rafferty – Green Bay – Offensive Lineman
- Tony Reed – Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos – Running Back
- Leonard Renfro – Philadelphia – Defensive Tackle
- Sam Rogers – Buffalo, San Diego, Atlanta – Linebacker
- Tom Rouen – Denver, NY Giants, Pittsburgh, Seattle – Punter
- Lee Rouson – NY Giants, Cleveland – Running Back
- Matt Russell – Detroit – Linebacker
- Rashaan Salaam – Chicago Bears – Running Back
- Victor Scott – Dallas Cowboys – Defensive Back
- Ariel Solomon – Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Viking, Detroit Lions – Offensive Lineman
- Kordell Stewart – Pittsburgh Steelers – Quarterback
- Donald Strickland – Indianapolis Colts – Cornerback
- Quinn Sypniewski – Baltimore Ravens – Tight End
- Sean Tufts – Carolina Panthers- Linebacker
- Mark Vander Poel – Indianapolis Colts- Offensive Tackle
- Lawrence Vickers – Cleveland Browns – FB
- Thaddaeus Washington – Buffalo Bills – Linebacker
- Michael Westbrook – Washington Redskins – Wide Receiver
- Byron White – Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Lions – Running Back
- Sam Wilder – San Francisco 49ers – Offensive Tackle
- Alfred Williams – Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos – Defensive End[18]
Awards
Heisman Trophy
Rashaan Salaam won Colorado's only Heisman Trophy in 1994,[3] though the Buffaloes have had many other players receive votes:
Year | Name | Position | Rank in Heisman voting | Points |
1937 | Byron White | HB | 2nd | 264 |
1961 | Joe Romig | OG/LB | 6th | 279 |
1969 | Bobby Anderson | TB | 11th | 100 |
1971 | Charlie Davis | TB | 16th | 28 |
1989 | Darian Hagan | QB | 5th | 242 |
1990 | Eric Bieniemy | TB | 3rd | 798 |
Darian Hagan | QB | 17th | 17 | |
Mike Pritchard | WR | 50th | 2 | |
1991 | Darian Hagan | QB | 20th | 12 |
1992 | Deon Figures | CB | 30th | 4 |
1993 | Charles Johnson | WR | 15th | 24 |
Michael Westbrook | WR | 61st | 1 | |
1994 | Rashaan Salaam | TB | 1st | 1743 |
Kordell Stewart | QB | 13th | 16 | |
2002 | Chris Brown | TB | 8th | 48 |
Other award winners
Players
|
Coach
- 1989 Bill McCartney
College Football Hall of Fame
- Byron White (Inducted 1952) Hall-of-Fame Biography
- Joe Romig (Inducted 1984) Hall-of-Fame Biography
- Dick Anderson (Inducted 1993) Hall-of-Fame Biography
- Bobby Anderson (Inducted 2006) Reference
- Alfred Williams (Inducted 2010) Reference
- John Wooten (Inducted 2012) Reference
- Bill McCartney (Inducted 2013) Reference
All-Americans
The following is a list of Consensus All-Americans from CU as listed in NCAA record books.[4]
- 2010 – Nate Solder, Colorado (AP, FWAA, TSN, WCFF, ESPN, PFW, SI)
- 2007 – Jordon Dizon, Colorado (Associated Press, Walter Camp, Sporting News, ESPN, College Football News, Rivals.com)
- 2006 – Mason Crosby, Colorado (Walter Camp Foundation, Pro Football Weekly)
- 2005 – Mason Crosby, Colorado (Associated Press, FWAA-Writers, Walter Camp, Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, Pro Football Weekly, ESPN, CBS Sports, College Football News, Rivals.com)
- 2004 – John Torp, Colorado (ESPN)
- 2002 – Chris Brown, Colorado (AFCA-Coaches)
- 2002 – Wayne Lucier, Colorado (TSN)
- 2002 – Mark Mariscal, Colorado (AP, AFCA-Coaches, Walter Camp, TSN, CNNSI, ESPN)
- 2001 – Daniel Graham, Colorado (Walter Camp, AFCA-Coaches, FWAA, AP, TSN, PFW, FN)
- 2001 – Andre Gurode, Colorado (AP, TSN, PFW, CNNSI)
- 2001 – Roman Hollowell, Colorado (TSN, CNNSI-PR)
- 1999 – Ben Kelly, Colorado (FN)
- 1999 – Ben Kelly, Colorado(CNNSI-KR)
- 1996 – Rae Carruth, Colorado, (TSN)
- 1996 – Chris Naeole, Colorado (AP, AFCA-Coaches, Walter Camp,FN)
- 1996 – Matt Russell, Colorado (AP, FWAA-Writers, Walter Camp, TSN)
- 1995 – Heath Irwin, Colorado (AP)
- 1995 – Bryan Stoltenberg, Colorado (UPI, Walter Camp, FN)
- 1994 – Rashaan Salaam, Colorado (Associated Press, Walter Camp, FWAA-Writers, AFCA-Coaches, Scripps-Howard, Sporting News, Football News)
- 1994 – Michael Westbrook, Colorado (Walter Camp, AFCA-Coaches, Sporting News)
- 1994 – Chris Hudson, Colorado (Associated Press, Walter Camp, FWAA-Writers, Scripps-Howard)
- 1992 – Michael Westbrook, Colorado (NEA)
- 1992 – Deon Figures, Colorado (AP, UPI, NEA, WC, FWAA, SH, TSN, FN)
- 1992 – Mitch Berger, Colorado (UPI)
- 1991 – Jay Leeuwenburg, Colorado (AP, UPI, NEA, WC, AFCA, FWAA, SH, TSN, FN)
- 1991 – Joel Steed, Colorado (WC)
- 1990 – Eric Bieniemy, Colorado (AP, UPI, NEA, WC, AFCA, FWAA, SH, TSN, FN)
- 1990 – Joe Garten, Colorado (AP, UPI, NEA, WC, AFCA, FWAA, SH, TSN, FN)
- 1990 – Alfred Williams, Colorado (AP, UPI, NEA, WC, AFCA, FWAA, SH, TSN, FN)
- 1989 – Joe Garten, Colorado (AP, UPI, AFCA, FWAA, TSN)
- 1989 – Darian Hagan, Colorado (TSN)
- 1989 – Alfred Williams, Colorado (UPI, AFCA, FWAA, FN)
- 1989 – Kanavis McGhee, Colorado (WC)
- 1989 – Tom Rouen, Colorado (AP, UPI, WC, FWAA)
- 1988 – Keith English, Colorado (AP)
- 1986 – Barry Helton, Colorado (AP, UPI, TSN)
- 1979 – Stan Brock, Colorado (TSN)
- 1979 – Mark Haynes, Colorado (AP)
- 1978 – Matt Miller, Colorado (UPI)
- 1976 – Don Hasselbeck, Colorado (TSN)
- 1975 – Mark Koncar, Colorado (AP)
- 1975 – Dave Logan, Colorado (TSN)
- 1975 – Pete Brock, Colorado (TSN, NEA, Time)
- 1975 – Troy Archer, Colorado (Time)
- 1973 – J.V. Cain, Colorado (TSN, Time)
- 1973 – Bo Matthews, Colorado (Time)
- 1972 – Bud Magrum, Colorado (FWAA)
- 1972 – Cullen Bryant, Colorado (UPI, NEA, AFCA, TSN, Time)
- 1971 – Cliff Branch, Colorado (FN)
- 1971 – Herb Orvis, Colorado (WC, AFCA, TSN)
- 1970 – Don Popplewell, Colorado (AP, UPI, NEA, FWAA, WC, CP, FN)
- 1970 – Pat Murphy, Colorado (WC)
- 1969 – Bobby Anderson, Colorado (AP, UPI, NEA, TSN)
- 1968 – Mike Montler, Colorado (AP, AFCA)
- 1967 – Dick Anderson, Colorado (AP, NEA)
- 1961 – Jerry Hillebrand, Colorado (FWAA)
- 1961 – Joe Romig, Colorado, (WC, TSN, FWAA)
- 1960 – Joe Romig, Colorado, (WC)
- 1956 – John Bayuk, Colorado (INS-2; CP-3)
- 1954 – Frank Bernardi, Colorado (AP-2)
- 1953 – Gary Knafelc, Colorado (AP-3)
- 1943 – Hall, Colorado (AP-2)
Colorado's All-Century Team 1890–1989
Taken from the 2005 Colorado Football Media Guide:
The University of Colorado selected an “All-Century Football Team,” as public balloting in 1989 tabbed 11 All-Americans among the top 25 selected to the 100-year squad. Over 6,200 ballots were received in the public selection process, with over 150,000 votes cast from those ballots. Former CU players pared a list of 881 lettermen down to 118, which were in turn presented to the public for the final team selection. Byron “Whizzer” White, the U.S. Supreme Court Justice who was CU’s first All-American (1937), received 5,812 of a possible 6,265 votes. Bobby Anderson, who starred at both quarterback and tailback between 1967 and 1969, was the second leading vote-getter with 5,636, and two-way-star Joe Romig, who led CU to its first outright Big Eight Championship in 1961, was third with 5,145. White (#24), Anderson (#11) and Romig (#67) are the only Buffs to ever have their numbers retired. One other player topped the 5,000 vote mark, as flashy Cliff Branch, whose name still frequently appears in the CU record book and who played a big part in the Buffs’ No. 3 national ranking of 1971, captured 5,111 votes. The player with the fifth most votes, 3,989, was the only active Buff at the time to make the top 25, tailback Eric Bieniemy (a junior in 1989).
Joining White, Anderson and Romig as All-Americans on the century squad were Dick Anderson (’67), Pete Brock (’75), Mark Haynes (’79), Dave Logan (’75), Herb Orvis (’71) and Bob Stransky (’57). Four players in the early years of CU football made the team, led by Walt Franklin, who played center and end between 1917 and 1921. Back
Lee Willard (’21), Judge Hatfield Chilson (’25) and guard Bill McGlone (’26) round out the quartet which represents the formative seasons of CU football, when the team was known as the “Silver and Gold.” Other familiar names on the team include Hale Irwin, who starred at defensive back in the mid-1960s but gained his fame on the PGA Tour; John Stearns, another pivotal player of the 1971 team who went on to be a star catcher with the New York Mets; Dave Logan, a veteran of 10-plus NFL seasons and current sportstalk celebrity in Denver; Carroll Hardy, who played in the early 1950s and is the only man ever to pinch-hit for Ted Williams; and John Wooten, one of the first African-American players at CU who has spent several years in the scouting departments of the NFL Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles. Listed below are the 25 members of the University of Colorado All-Century (1890–1989) Football Team, selected by lettermen and the public over a three-month voting period.
- Bobby Anderson, QB/TB (1967-68-69)
- Dick Anderson, DB (1965-66-67)
- Eric Bieniemy, TB (1987-88-89-90)
- Cliff Branch, WR/KR (1970–71)
- Pete Brock, OC (1973-74-75)
- Hatfield Chilson, B (1923-24-25)
- Boyd Dowler, QB (1956-57-58)
- Walt Franklin, C/E (1917-19-20-21)
- Carroll Hardy, HB (1951-52-53-54)
- Mark Haynes, CB (1976-77-78-79)
- Hale Irwin, DB (1964-65-66)
- Zack Jordan, HB/P (1950-51-52)
- William "Kayo" Lam, B (1933-34-35)
- Dave Logan, WR (1972-73-74-75)
- Bill McGlone, G (1923-24-25-26)
- Herb Orvis, DE (1969-70-71)
- Mickey Pruitt, DB (1984-85-86-87)
- Joe Romig, OG/LB (1959-60-61)
- John Stearns, DB/P (1970–71-72)
- Bob Stransky, HB (1955-56-57)
- Billy Waddy, RB (1973-74-75-76)
- Gale Weidner, QB (1959-60-61)
- Byron "Whizzer" White, B (1935-36-37)
- Lee Willard, B (1918-19-20-21)
- John Wooten, G (1956-57-58)
Retired numbers
#24 Byron "Whizzer" White
Colorado’s first All-American and one of the greatest students in the history of the school, Byron "Whizzer" White, retired as a justice of the Supreme Court in March 1993, after serving 31 years on the nation’s high court. White made all the All-America teams after a brilliant 1937 season in which he led CU to an 8–0 record and Cotton Bowl Classic bid as he set national records with 1,121 rushing yards and 122 points. Those marks, erased nationally only after colleges went to 10- and 11-game schedules, set CU records.
White was a Phi Beta Kappa, Rhodes Scholar, two-time All-Pro halfback with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions, leading graduate of the Yale Law School in 1946, decorated naval intelligence officer in World War II, leading Denver attorney, and deputy attorney general for the United States. White is a member of the NFL Hall-of-Fame, the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall-of-Fame, the GTE Academic Hall-of-Fame, and was selected to CU’s All-Century Team. In 1998, he was the first inductee into CU’s Athletic Hall-of-Fame. He died at the age of 84 on April 15, 2002.
#67 Joe Romig
Romig was a two-time All-American selection, a member of the Big Eight Hall-of-Fame and the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame. As of 2004, a senior research associate in radio physics in Boulder, Romig was the Buffs’ 1961 team captain and the United Press International Lineman of the year. Romig had no peers as a linebacker, as he ranged far and fiercely from his middle linebacker position behind a four-man line. Fast and strong, he was consistently in on most of CU’s tackles. Offensively, Romig developed into an excellent straight-ahead and pulling blocker. Like White, he was an inspirational leader with extraordinary physical and mental abilities.
Romig was an excellent student, earning all A’s his last six semesters and a 3.9 grade-point average. As a Rhodes Scholar, Joe received his master's degree in physics at Oxford University and a doctorate in physics at Colorado in 1975.
#11 Bobby Anderson
Anderson set 18 single-game, single-season and career marks during his three-season career with the Buffs along with earning All-Big Eight and All-American honors. A professional player with the Denver Broncos (the team’s No. 1 draft choice), Washington Redskins and New England Patriots, Anderson started his CU career as a quarterback but switched to tailback for the third game during his senior season (1969). In his career, he rushed for 2,729 yards and had over 5,000 yards in total offense. Anderson concluded his Colorado career with a 254-yard rushing effort in the 1969 Liberty Bowl. As of 2004, he is a Denver-area businessman, and has worked over two decades for KOA-Radio handling pre- and postgame shows as well as sideline reporting on the CU Football Network. He is a member of CU’s All-Century Team. In 1999, he received the University Medal, awarded to those who have performed outstanding service to or for the University.
National Play-of-the-Year
In 1992, Nu Skin International and CoSIDA started sponsorship of "The National Play-of-the-Year," honoring the most outstanding play annually in college football. Notre Dame won the inaugural honor in 1992, but the University of Colorado won for both the 1993 and 1994 seasons. Here’s a closer look at CU’s winning plays:
1993
October 16: Colorado 27, Oklahoma 10
Lamont Warren throws a 34-yard touchdown pass to Charles Johnson on the halfback option play. What made it special? Warren slipped on the slick artificial surface as he threw the ball, and some 40 yards later in the end zone, Johnson made the catch on the ground after he was interfered with. The play defied imagination, and is truly appreciated when looked at in slow motion.
1994
September 24: #7 Colorado 27, #4 Michigan 26
College football’s play of the decade, this effort also won an ESPY Award from ESPN for the play of the year for college football in 1995. As time expired, Kordell Stewart threw a 64-yard touchdown pass to Michael Westbrook, who made the catch after a Blake Anderson deflection. CU had trailed 26–14 with under four minutes left, and trailed by five with 15 seconds left on its own 15-yard line after stopping Michigan on defense.
Recruiting
Colorado Buffaloes Football Scout.com team recruiting rankings:
Class |
Scout.com Rank |
Commits |
Top Commit |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
2013 |
69 | 20 | George Frazier | |
2012 |
29 | 30 | Yuri Wright | |
2011 |
62 | 21 | Paulay Asiata | |
2010 |
70 | 22 | Paul Richardson | |
2009 |
57 | 19 | Nick Kasa | |
2008 |
27 | 20 | Darrell Scott | |
2007 |
35 | 27 | Ryan Miller | |
2006 |
50 | 22 | Cody Hawkins | |
2005 |
44 | 24 | Matthew DiLallo | |
2004 |
49 | 19 | Ryan Walters | |
2003 |
19 | 26 | Dominique Brown | |
2002 |
22 | 23 | Clint Worth | |
Future non-conference opponents
Announced schedules as of July 15, 2015
2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
Colorado State (at Denver, CO) | Colorado State (at Denver, CO) | Colorado State (at Denver, CO) | Colorado State (at Denver, CO) | at Colorado State | vs Minnesota | at Minnesota | vs Nebraska | at Nebraska |
vs Idaho State | vs Texas State | at Nebraska | vs Nebraska | at Texas A&M | vs UMass | vs. TCU | at TCU | |
at Michigan | vs Northern Colorado | vs New Hampshire | vs Fresno State | vs Air Force | vs. Texas A&M | at Air Force |
Beyond
Colorado and Nebraska renewed their rivalry after it ended when both teams left the Big 12 Conference. They are to play a home and away series twice starting in 2018 in Nebraska and 2019 in Colorado. Then again in 2023 in Colorado and 2024 in Nebraska.[22][23]
References
- 1 2 3 "Folsom Field Home". CUBuffs.com. Retrieved 2007-03-06.
- ↑ http://bigeightsports.com/Sports/Football/FootballChampionships.htm
- 1 2 "Heisman Winners". Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- 1 2 "NCAA Football Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA Football Records. NCAA. 2009. p. 13. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- ↑ "Typography/Color". colorado.edu. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
- ↑ John C. Nixon (1898-12-16). "Buff Milestones" (PDF). CUBuffs.com reprint of Silver & Gold article. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
- ↑ http://www.jhowell.net/cf/cf1990.htm
- ↑ "The McMNC for 1990: Georgia Institute of Technology – rec.sport.football.college | Google Groups". Groups.google.com. Retrieved 2013-04-22.
- ↑ "CU Regents vote unanimously to join Pac-12". The Denver Post. June 11, 2010.
- ↑ "Colorado Board of Regents approves move to Pac-12". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Sports Network. June 11, 2010. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012.
- ↑ "Future Colorado State Football Opponents". RamNation.com. Retrieved 2013-04-22.
- ↑ "Colorado vs Colorado State TV Schedule". What America is Searching. August 30, 2010.
- ↑ John Henderson. "CU Buffs coach Mike MacIntyre will bring in both coordinators from San Jose State". DailyCamera.com. Retrieved 2012-12-19.
- ↑ http://www.cubuffs.com/fls/600/football/2014_Info_Guide/130_all_time_record.pdf "All-Time Record" (PDF). CUBuffs.com. 2014-06-28. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
- ↑ http://www.cubuffs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=600&ATCLID=205823352&SPID=255&SPSID=3843 "MacIntyre Named Head Football Coach At Colorado". CUBuffs.com. 2012-12-10. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
- ↑ http://www.nfl.com/players/search?category=name&filter=tyler+brayton&playerType=historical
- ↑ http://www.nfl.com/player/tylerbrayton/2505554/profile
- ↑ DraftHistory.com
- ↑ "NCAA Football Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA Football Records. NCAA. 2009. p. 19. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- 1 2 3 "NCAA Football Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA Football Records. NCAA. 2009. p. 20. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- 1 2 "NCAA Football Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA Football Records. NCAA. 2009. p. 21. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- 1 2 "CU Announces Home-And-Home Series With Texas A&M, TCU". cubuffs.com. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
- ↑ "Rivalry reborn: CU Buffs, Nebraska to play 4 times between 2018 and 2024". Daily Camera. 2013-02-07. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
External links
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