A Stroll Down Memory Lane – CSU

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A Stroll Down Memory Lane – Colorado State

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As Fall Camp approaches, we are getting closer and closer to the end of the long off-season. But, before we get bogged down in the dark world of two-deep roster debates, I wanted to spend a little time reflecting on two series which will be in our rear view mirror very soon.

After this September, Colorado – barring a bowl game matchup – will not face its two most hated rivals, Nebraska and Colorado State, until at least 2029, when CU will make a return trip to Ft. Collins (with the Rams traveling to Boulder in 2030).

To be sure, we will spend some quality time during game weeks in September basking in the glow of CU’s three-game winning streak against Nebraska, and CU’s six-game winning streak against Colorado State. In the meantime, though, I thought it might be fun to take a look back at some of the more memorable games of these series, both to give you a smile, and to help stir your dislike/hatred/loathing of these two programs as the season draws near.

Last weekend, we had some fun looking back at games against the hated Huskers.

Now it’s little brother’s turn …

Colorado State … 

Historically, Colorado hasn’t had much trouble when playing Colorado State. The Buffs lead the all-time series, 68-22-2, which includes a 23-7-1 record in Ft. Collins, the site of this year’s battle.

The CSU program has an overall losing record in its history (540-616-33; .468), a “winning percentage” which is 109th out of 131 FBS programs. The Buffs currently have a six-game winning streak over the Rams in the series, and CU hasn’t lost to CSU since 2014.

Other than proximity, there is little the two programs have in common, “rivals” who haven’t played in the same conference since 1947 (Skyline Conference). CU has almost 200 more all-time wins (723-540), has six times as many first-team All-Americans (32-5), over twice as many NFL Draft picks (276-106) and has spent seven times as many weeks (308-43) ranked in the Associated Press poll.

Still, this year’s game will be played in Ft. Collins for the first time since 1996, and last season’s game did go into double overtime. The game will be nationally televised (on CBS, September 14th, at 5:30 p.m., MT). The CSU game will be CU’s third straight game on national television to open the season, but it will likely be CSU’s one and only chance to impress on national television.

We’ll have plenty of time to hash out the matchup once the calendar flips to September, but, for now, here are some of the best games between the two teams, starting with last year’s overtime thriller …

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September 16, 2023 – Colorado 43, Colorado State 35 – 2OT

Game Story … Buff quarterback Shedeur Sanders struggled throughout much of the game, but directed a game-tying 98-yard scoring drive in the final two minutes of regulation, then threw two touchdowns in two overtime periods to lead the No. 18 Buffaloes to a come-from-behind 43-35 win over rival Colorado State.

CU trailed 21-14 at the half — with one of its touchdowns coming on an 80-yard interception return by Shilo Sanders — and looked to be heading for an embarrassing loss  to 23.5-point underdog CSU when the Rams took a 28-17 lead with just more than 11 minutes to go in regulation. But the Buffs cut the margin to 28-20 with a field goal and Colorado’s defense forced a punt with just more than two minutes to play. The kick bounced out of bounds at the CU two-yard line with 2:06 on the clock — but that proved to be plenty of time for Sanders.

Sanders completed five passes on the drive for 106 yards as CU overcame two penalties on the march. Sanders found a wide-open Jimmy Horn Jr. for a 45-yard touchdown, then connected with tight end Michael Harrison for the two-point conversion to set up overtime. “I went into ‘Brady mode’,” said Sanders, referring to Tom Brady and his penchant for last minute victories. “They left us too much time”.

… Continue reading Game story here …

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Game Essay … “Savor the Moment” …

It was a stunning come-from-behind victory. It is a win which we will be talking about for years. The 98-yard drive to tie the game may not have the historic significance of John Elway’s 98-yard drive against the Cleveland Browns, leading to a playoff victory decades ago … but it was a pretty cool experience.

And for someone who has to commute 700 miles for home games, and who has been chronicling CU’s sorry seasons for way too long, I could have been forgiven for enjoying the win more than most.

And yet … I never hit the crescendo of emotion that the moment deserved.

… Continue reading Essay here …

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August 31, 2018 – Colorado 45, Colorado State 13 – Denver

Game Story … Colorado scored on its first three possessions of the game, never looking back in a 45-13 rout of Colorado State in Denver. Steven Montez was almost perfect on the night, completing 22-of-25 passes for 338 yards and four touchdowns as the Buffs won the Rocky Mountain Showdown for the fourth straight time.

In rolling up 596 yards of total offense, there were many heroes for the Buff offense. Sophomore wide receiver Laviska Shenault set Rocky Mountain Showdown records, both with his 11 receptions and his 211 yards receiving. Virginia Tech graduate transfer running back Travon McMillian had 103 yards rushing (equaling the total rushing yards for CSU on the night) on only ten carries. K.D. Nixon also hit triple digits, with six receptions for 112 yards, highlighted by a 46-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter.

How big a night was it for the Buff offense? For the first time in school history, the Buffs had a 300-yard passer (Montez; 338), a 200-yard receiver (Shenault; 211) and a 100-yard rusher (McMillian; 103) in the same game.

… Continue reading Game Story here …

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Game Essay … “Coming Out Party”

In all, 34 players made their CU debuts in the opener. As far back as Buff player records have been kept (generally speaking, since World War II), this was (in Dave Plati’s words) “easily” the highest-total of new players taking the field wearing black-and-gold to start a season.

Some of those making their debuts made a bigger splash than others:

— Laviska Shenault … Buff fans got a taste of what Shenault could do last season (enough to openly question why he didn’t see more playing time as a freshman). Against Colorado State, Shenault had 11 catches for 211 yards. The totals were Rocky Mountain Showdown records, with the 211 receiving yards becoming the fourth-highest single game total in school history.

“It was definitely nice to see him do that to someone else and not us in practice.” said linebacker and team captain Rick Gamboa. “He is very athletic and physical for his size. As a defense, we know what he can do. We are not the biggest fans of having to tackle him day in and day out. Getting to see him play in a game in a big role, I was happy to see that.”

Or, as quarterback Steven Montez put it: “Laviska is a freak, he is an absolute freak. Y’all saw that play (the 89-yard touchdown catch) when he kind of snapped it off and sat there while they brought that zero pressure? I got it to him and then he took off. He was gone, I was like ‘Man he is moving, he is so fast’ he is like 225. He is obviously a freak.”

… Continue reading Essay here …

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September 19, 2015 – Colorado 27, Colorado State 24 – OT (in Denver)

Game Story … Buff kicker Diego Gonzalez, who had missed a 48-yarder a few minutes earlier which would have won the game in regulation, got a shot at redemption in overtime. The 32-yarder in the extra period was perfect, giving Colorado an unlikely come-from-behind 27-24 overtime win over Colorado State in the Rocky Mountain Showdown.

The Buffs spotted the Rams a 14-0 first quarter lead, and were out-gained 500 yards to 345 on the game, but were able to stay in the game with decent offense and timely plays on defense. Sefo Liufau hit on 15-of-28 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns, while linebacker Ken Olugbode (a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown) and safety Tedric Thompson (a blocked field goal in overtime) were the defensive heroes.

… Continue reading Game Story here …

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Game Essay … “A Matter of Trust”

One of the themes for the University of Colorado football team for the 2015 season is “Trust”.

Players received t-shirts during Fall Camp with “Trust” on them, and the coaches have been preaching the mantra for months.

Buff players have been implored to trust the player next to them, to trust the coaches, to trust the game plan. Do your job; trust the man next to you that he is doing his.

After the 48-14 win over Massachusetts, head coach Mike MacIntyre gave a brief talk to the team. The significant pitch was about trust:

“You showed yourselves,” said MacIntyre. “There was ultimate trust out there. Ultimate trust.  I believe in you guys, and now I think you’re starting to believe in yourselves.

“I’ve said, and I still believe this with all my heart and soul, you can win every game you play”.

The CU players, though, were not the only one asked to “Trust” this fall.

… Continue reading Essay here …

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September 1, 2007 – Colorado 31, Colorado State 28 – OT (in Denver)

Game Story … Kevin Eberhart waited four years for his opportunity to be Colorado’s No. 1 placekicker, and when called upon, the senior produced.

Replacing two-time all-American Mason Crosby, Eberhart kicked the game tying field goal with 13 seconds remaining in regulation, then booted a 35-yarder in overtime to lift the Buffs to a 31-28 win over rival Colorado State in the 2007 season opener. The 68,133 who showed up for the 10:00 a.m. kickoff were treated to an exciting game with a close finish for the sixth consecutive game in the series.

The contest started out as well as any Colorado fan could have hoped.

After recovering their own fumble on the opening kickoff, the Buffs marched smartly down the field behind freshman quarterback Cody Hawkins. Never facing a third down on the drive, the Buffs needed only six plays to cover 83 yards, with Hawkins connecting with fellow freshman Scotty McKnight from 24 yards out just 2:08 into the game.

… Continue reading Game Story here …

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Game Essay … “Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures”

When the Buffs fell behind 28-17 early in the third quarter, the sense of despair was palpable on the Colorado side of Invesco Field.

The Ram fans across the way were chanting and singing, soaking in the Rams’ second touchdown in as many minutes. What had started out with such promise – two touchdowns in two drives to open the game from a team which had averaged only 16 points a game in 2006 – was now falling apart. Buff fans were quiet, or worse, quite vocal, about the 11-point deficit which had been a four point lead only moments before.

Fortunately for the future of the Colorado program, there was no such despair on the CU sideline. A team which lost ten games the year before, but had not quit in any of them, was not about to quit now. All three phases of the game came through for the Buffs in the second half. The CU offense converted crucial first downs, and did not make critical mistakes (read: penalties and turnovers). The CU defense held the Rams scoreless the remainder of the game, including two stops on fourth down attempts by CSU. Meanwhile, the CU special teams, much maligned in 2006 but for the efforts of Mason Crosby, stepped up, including a crucial punt return of 43 yards by Chase McBride to set up the game tying field goal.

… Continue reading Game Essay here …

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September 3, 2005 – Colorado 31, Colorado State 28 – Boulder

Game Story … For the fourth year in a row, the “Rocky Mountain Showdown” between Colorado and Colorado State came down to the final minute of play.

For the third year in a row, the Buffs prevailed.

Colorado opened its 2005 campaign by defeating the Rams, 31-28, before a sweltering Folsom Field record crowd of 54,972. Mason Crosby connected from 47 yards out with four seconds remaining to give the Buffs the victory.

Unlike 2003 and 2004, when the Buffs watched double digit leads evaporate against the Rams, only to win those games in the waning moments, much of the 2005 contest was controlled by the Rams.

The Rams took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a one-yard run by Jimmy Green. The Buffs then countered in the second quarter with ten unanswered points on a 32-yard Mason Crosby field goal and a one-yard run on fourth down by senior running back Lawrence Vickers.

… Continue reading Game Story here …

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Game Essay … “Three-peat”

The exhilaration in defeating a rival in the last minute is hard to quantify.

The joy in defeating a rival three times in a row is immensely satisfying.

Defeating a rival three times in a row, each time in the last minute – indescribable.

Standing – make that jumping up and down – as I watched the student section pour out onto the Folsom Field turf for the second year running against the Rams (the first win in this streak was at Mile High, where security and the need to find dry clothing after a deluge of Biblical proportions prevented a storming of the field), I was reminded why I watch college football.

You can have the professional game, with all of its superb athletes and precision play.

I’ll take the college game.

The emotional highs and lows of college football are like a drug. You need to feel it. You put up with the losses to soak in the wins. You put up with the long drives through desolate eastern Wyoming just to be a part of the action.

After the game, I watched the local television coverage. The local reporters caught CSU head coach Sonny Lubick before he had the chance to get into the locker room and allow the emotion of the moment to dissipate. Lubick’s comments were those of a coach who had just seen the opportunity to hang an embarrassing loss on “big brother” CU go for naught in the final seconds for the third year in a row. “Why are they storming the field?”, asked Lubick to no one in particular as he watched the CU students celebrate on the field. “We are just the little school up the road. Why are they celebrating like it’s the Super Bowl?”

… Continue reading Game Essay here …

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September 4, 2004 – Colorado 27, Colorado State 24 – Boulder

Game Story … A pitch from Colorado State quarterback Justin Holland to running back Tristan Walker was stopped at the Colorado three-yard line by defensive backs  J.J. Billingsley and Lorenzo Sims as time expired, preserving a wild 27-24 Buff win. The frenetic finish, before a record Folsom Field crowd of 54,954, gave Colorado head coach Gary Barnett and his players something other than scandal to talk about for the first time in 2004.

The game started out about as well as the Buffs could have hoped.  Colorado scored on its opening drive, a one-yard plunge by senior running back Bobby Purify.  Junior quarterback Joel Klatt scored from a yard out on the Buffs’ second drive, giving the Buffs an opening quarter 14-0 lead.  The lead was up to 17-0 before CSU quarterback Justin Holland connected with tight end Matt Bartz 23 seconds before halftime to make the score at the break 17-7.

The second half witnessed the pendulum of emotion swing back and forth between the two benches.  Colorado State climbed back into the contest, tying the score at 17-all with a 26-yard field goal by Jeff Babcock early in the fourth quarter.  The Buffs regained momentum with a 55-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Mason Crosby.  A few plays later, the Buffs seemingly regained command of the contest when junior linebacker Brian Iwuh intercepted a Holland pass, returning the pick 37 yards for a touchdown and a 27-17 Colorado lead with just 6:25 remaining.

… Continue reading Game Story here …

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Game Essay … “Win One for the Stripper”

The 2004 season represented the start of my 25th season as a Colorado fan.  Now 18 years removed from the senior student section, I had become as jaded and cynical as the next alumnus about the apathy and indifference of the student body towards Buff athletics.  From my seat on the 50-yard line (okay, call it the 47-yard line:  row 72, down seven rows and over five yards from the previous few years), I looked down upon the Colorado student section in more ways than one.

I was surprised to read, then, the week before the 2004 season opener that Colorado had sold out its 12,000 student season ticket allotment.  The sellout represented the first time since 1992 that the number of tickets allocated for students had been completely sold out prior to the season.  In light of the off-season that the Buffs had endured, it would have been understood, if not expected, that the student season ticket numbers would have dropped.  After all, it was not seen as a badge of honor to be associated with the program.  The Buffs were not ranked in any preseason poll, and not much was expected on the field.

Yet the Colorado students came.  And they were ready to be loud and raucous.

Much had been written about how relieved the Colorado coaches and players were to be back on the practice fields in August, at long last able to talk about football for the first time in months.  I felt the relief as well.  I was anxious to pull stories on Colorado football off the internet which were not related to scandal.  I had not anticipated, however, that about 50,000 of the record 54,954 in attendance would carry with them the same needs.  There was a palpable need to have Colorado football on the field. There was a need to cheer for the players in black and gold – a need to win the game.

… Continue reading Game Essay here …

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August 30, 2003 – Colorado 42, No. 23 Colorado State 35

Game Story … Sophomore quarterback Joel Klatt was the unlikely hero in leading Colorado to a 42-35 win over its in-state rival, Colorado State, in the 2003 season-opener for both teams.

Prior to completing 21-of-34 passes for 402 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions against the Rams, Klatt’s career numbers were as follows: a total of three passes, completing none.

Yet before 76,219 rain-soaked fans at Invesco Field and a national television audience on ESPN, Klatt out-performed the Rams’ senior quarterback, Bradlee Van Pelt.

After CSU took a 7-0 first quarter lead, Colorado erupted for 28 second quarter points. Bobby Purify tied the score with a six-yard run, but the Rams quickly jumped back out on top with a 32-yard Van Pelt touchdown pass. The remainder of the quarter belonged to Joel Klatt. The former walk-on connected with Derek McCoy for an 82-yard score, then gave the Buffs their first lead when D.J. Hackett turned an acrobatic catch of a Klatt pass at the two-yard line into a touchdown. Colorado took a 28-14 halftime lead when Klatt hit John Donahoe from 45 yards out with just 29 seconds remaining.

The teams traded touchdowns in the third quarter, with Colorado going up 35-21 when Klatt hit Derek McCoy for another long score, this time for 78 yards.

Immediately after the touchdown, however, officials sent the teams to the locker rooms when a lightning storm hit the area. A 28-minute delay ensued, with players and fans seeking shelter from the storm, leaving the stadium a well-lit, but deserted, arena.

… Continue reading Game Story here …

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Game Essay … “Electrifying Performance”

Droplets of water dripped from the edges of my baseball cap.

As I peered out into the darkened Mile High night from behind my water-logged CU hat, raindrops alternated falling from the right and left edges of the brim. The 28-minute lightning delay had come and gone, but the rain had persisted. Along with the return of the drenching rain came the equally annoying CSU Rams, making yet another comeback.

Twice down 14 points, CSU was clawing its way back into the game. Overtime looked inevitable. When Bradlee Van Pelt tied the score on a 30-yard run just below our seats in the endzone with only 1:50 remaining, my first thoughts were not of our chances in overtime.

My first thoughts were of the stadium bathrooms.

“Are the bathrooms heated?” was the question which ran through my mind. I was cold, damp, and frustrated, and the television delay before the start of overtime was destined to be lengthy. I needed to get away. How could we give up a 14-point lead? Twice? To VanPelt?

How could we lose this game?

… Continue reading Game Essay here …

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Other big wins over Colorado State … 

— 2001 … Colorado 41, No. 24 Colorado State 14 … Relief 

— 1998 … Colorado 42, No. 15 Colorado State 14 … A Mile High

— 1997 … No. 8 Colorado 31, No. 23 Colorado State 21 … A Rivalry Lesson

— 1996 … No. 5 Colorado 48, Colorado State 34 … Buffs Take Out WAC Champs in Ft. Collins

— 1983 … Colorado 31, Colorado State 3 … Rivalry? What Rivalry? First Game since 1958

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What will 2024 bring to the rivalry? … 

The six-game winning streak over Colorado State is only half as long as the 12-game winning streak the Buffs posted over the Rams between 1934 and 1947.

But this game carries with it even more weight than last year’s game. It will be the first game in Ft. Collins since 1996; it will also be the last game in the series until 2029.

You know how much fun Buff fans have had lording CU’s winning streak over Nebraska over the past few years?

Imagine how insufferable the Ram Nation would be if they could have a (one-game) winning streak over Colorado for the next five years?

Perish the thought …

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