Colorado linebacker Don DeLuzio makes an attempt to cease BYU fullback Fred Whittingham throughout the Freedom Bowl in Anaheim, Calif., Dec. 29, 1988. If studies are true, the Cougars and Buffaloes might quickly be taking part in as convention foes within the Massive 12. Reed Saxon, Related Press
BYU receiver Chuck Cutler reaches out for a go as Colorado free security Bruce Younger strikes in throughout the Freedom Bowl at Anaheim, Calif., Dec. 20, 1988. Doug Pizac, Related Press
If Colorado does the truth is go away the Pac-12 Convention for the Massive 12 as is predicted Thursday, it is going to discover one other handy journey accomplice alongside its border however with a couple of vital variations — in contrast to its manufactured rivalry with Utah, Colorado and BYU are related by historical past.
The final time the Cougars and Buffaloes shared a soccer discipline was on the 1988 Freedom Bowl in Anaheim, California. It was the sport the place kicker Jason Chaffetz booted a pair of fourth-quarter discipline objectives, together with a 35-yarder with 2:33 remaining to win 20-17.
It was additionally the sport the place freshman quarterback Ty Detmer changed Sean Covey within the second half and by no means once more relinquished the job. The younger Texan threw for 129 yards and a landing and outdueled Colorado operating again Eric Bieniemy, who rushed for 144 yards and two touchdowns within the defeat.
Two years later, Detmer beat Bieniemy once more, however this time it was on the poll field. Fueled by BYU’s upset of No. 1 Miami earlier within the season, Detmer gained this system’s first Heisman Trophy forward of Notre Dame’s Raghib “Rocket” Ismail and Bieniemy.
Bieniemy had excessive hopes of changing into Colorado’s first Heisman winner. As an alternative, he left the Downtown Athletic Membership in New York Metropolis and led the Buffaloes to their first nationwide championship by defeating the Irish for the primary time 10-9 within the Orange Bowl.
Rashan Salaam turned Colorado’s first Heisman winner in 1994, the identical 12 months as BYU’s first win towards Notre Dame, and 10 years after the Cougars topped Michigan within the Vacation Bowl to present the Cougars their first nationwide championship.
Previous to the Freedom Bowl assembly, BYU and Colorado final tangled in Boulder, Colorado, on Sept. 26, 1981. Future NFL star quarterbacks Jim McMahon and Steve Younger mixed for 5 landing passes and regardless of McMahon injuring his knee within the third quarter, the No. 9 Cougars routed the Buffaloes 41-20.
BYU left Boulder and proceeded to win 39 of its subsequent 46 video games, culminating with the 13-0 season in 1984 and the nationwide title.
Colorado hasn’t performed in Provo since Oct. 19, 1946, when BYU resumed its soccer program following a three-year break throughout World Struggle II. The groups battled at Y Stadium behind the Richards Bodily Training Constructing on campus. The Buffaloes gained the sport 10-7.
The 2 packages are shut in profession profitable share with BYU at .581 and Colorado at .571. The Buffaloes have 26 convention championships. The Cougars have 23. BYU has performed in 40 bowl video games. Colorado has suited up in 30.
Each groups have spent the final 12 years in a wierd place. The Cougars survived the panorama of independence, whereas the Buffaloes turned uncomfortably accustomed to the underside of the Pac-12.
In 12 seasons of put up Massive 12 soccer, Colorado has mustered simply two profitable seasons, together with a 4-2 COVID-19 12 months in 2020. It simply hasn’t labored for the Buffaloes. A minimum of not but. Nonetheless, the hiring of former NFL celebrity Deion Sanders as head coach has rejuvenated this system. Actually, 47,277 optimistic followers confirmed up in April for his first spring sport.
Empowered by momentum and fan desperation, Sanders gutted his roster. Seventy-three scholarship gamers left this system and have been changed via the switch portal. He'll roll out the intense makeover at TCU on Sept. 2.
BYU managed 10 profitable seasons throughout its run as an impartial. It wasn’t excellent, nevertheless it labored as a bypass to one thing higher. The Cougars make their long-awaited debut within the Massive 12 in September. Whether or not Colorado joins them and turns into a journey accomplice or not, each packages share one other factor in frequent — they've tremendously difficult roads forward.
BYU receiver Chuck Cutler reaches out for a go as Colorado free security Bruce Younger strikes in throughout the Freedom Bowl at Anaheim, Calif., Dec. 20, 1988.
Doug Pizac, Related Press