Nov. 24th – California – “Our Long National Nightmare Is Over”

Colorado quarterback Steven Montez threw two interceptions for touchdowns in the first two minutes of the game, with the Buffs committing five turnovers overall in falling to California, 33-21. The five first half turnovers, including three interceptions by Montez and two fumbled punts by Ronnie Blackmon, led to 24 Bear points and a deficit the Buffs were unable to overcome.

The Colorado defense held the California offense to 217 total yards, and one-of-17 conversions on third down, but the Buffs were only able to muster 318 total yards of their own. A three-yard touchdown pass from Montez to Juwann Winfree late in the third quarter made it a 27-21 game, but the Buffs would get no closer.

The game did produce a CU milestone, however, on the Buffs’ final scoring drive of the season. On successive plays, Travon McMillian went over 1,000 yards rushing for the season (1,009) and Laviska Shenault went over 1,000 yards receiving for the season (1,011), marking the first time in school history in which the Buff offense produced a 1,000-yard rusher and a 1,000-yard receiver in the same season.

On August 9, 1974, Richard Nixon resigned as President.

As Nixon’s helicopter left the White House lawn, Vice-President Gerald Ford retreated back into the East Room, where he took the oath of office and became the 38th President of the United States.

Addressing the nation, Ford acknowledged that he was taking office “under extraordinary circumstances” – the Watergate scandal which had led to the first-ever resignation by a sitting President.

“My fellow Americans,” Ford said. “Our long national nightmare is over”.

For Buff fans, the loss to Cal meant that the slow, excruciatingly painful march to 5-7 was finally over.

Game Day! … Steven Montez: “Do or die game, bowl game or bust — as players we understand that” … Neill Woelk Fast Five Keys to the the Cal game … Kurt Roper focused on Cal, not future employment …

Cal 100th or worse nationally in passing offense, total offense, and scoring offense … CU is 2-2 all-time with interim head coaches … The last two times Cal defeated CU, it took overtime to do it … Pac-12 has five of the top ten rushers in the nation …

“T.I.P.S.” for CU’s trip to Berkeley … Cal has the 103rd-ranked offense in the nation, but can the Buffs (and their lame duck coaching staff) find a way to score against a defense which has given up 43 points in its last three games? …