1986 Colorado Buffaloes football team

{{Infobox college sports team season

| year = 1986

| team = Colorado Buffaloes

| sport = football

| image =

| image_size =

| conference = Big Eight Conference

| short_conf = Big 8

| record = 6–6

| conf_record = 6–1

| head_coach = Bill McCartney

| hc_year = 5th

| off_coach = Gerry DiNardo

| oc_year = 3rd

| off_scheme = Wishbone

| def_coach = Lou Tepper

| dc_year = 4th

| def_scheme = 3–4

| captain = Steve Beck

| captain2 = Eric Coyle

| captain3 = Barry Remington

| stadium = Folsom Field

| bowl = Bluebonnet Bowl

| bowl_result = L 9–21 vs. Baylor

}}

The 1986 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado at Boulder in the Big Eight Conference during the 1986 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by fifth-year head coach Bill McCartney, Colorado opened with four losses,{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5cIxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=teUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4820%2C6176329 |work=Lawrence Daily Journal-World |location=(Kansas) |agency=Associated Press |title=Arizona comeback foils Buffs, 24-21 |date=September 28, 1986 |page=5B}} but finished the regular season at 6–5 (6–1 in Big 8, second). It was their best conference record in a quarter century, and they were invited to the Bluebonnet Bowl in Houston on New Year's Eve.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PglWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KOEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6174%2C6056004 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |agency=Associated Press |title=Colorado 49, Kansas State 3 |date=November 23, 1986 |page=7C}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YnsyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SOYFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6734%2C36788 |work=Lawrence Daily Journal-World |location=(Kansas) |agency=Associated Press |title=Baylor defense corrals Buffs in Bluebonnet |date=January 1, 1987 |page=1B}}

The Buffaloes were upset 23–7 in the opener by intrastate rival Colorado State,{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0MIxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=teUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4096%2C1153867 |work=Lawrence Daily Journal-World |location=(Kansas) |agency=Associated Press |title=Bartalo shines as CSU surprises Colorado, 23-7 |date=September 7, 1986 |page=3B}} but defeated Nebraska for the first time in nineteen years, and the first time in Boulder since 1960.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3UEyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6eUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6659%2C5792785 |work=Lawrence Daily Journal-World |location=(Kansas) |agency=Associated Press |title=Buffs upset Nebraska, 20-10 |date=October 26, 1986 |page=3B}}

Schedule

{{CFB schedule

| rankyear = 1986

| poll = AP

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 6

| w/l = l

| nonconf = y

| opponent = Colorado State

| site_stadium = Folsom Field

| site_cityst = Boulder, CO

| tv = KCNC

| score = 7–23

| attend = 45,109

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-colorado-state-r/170730568/|work=The Des Moines Register|title=Colorado State rocks intrastate rival Buffaloes|date=September 7, 1986|accessdate=April 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 13

| w/l = l

| nonconf = y

| away = y

| opponent = Oregon

| site_stadium = Autzen Stadium

| site_cityst = Eugene, OR

| score = 30–32

| attend = 26,155

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-herald-oregon-edges-colorado/170802851/|work=Star-Herald|title=Oregon edges Colorado|date=September 14, 1986|accessdate=April 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 20

| w/l = l

| nonconf = y

| away = y

| opponent = Ohio State

| site_stadium = Ohio Stadium

| site_cityst = Columbus, OH

| score = 10–13

| attend = 88,404

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-newark-advocate-freshman-kicker-boot/170802977/|work=The Newark Advocate|title=Freshman kicker boots Ohio State to victory|date=September 21, 1986|accessdate=April 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 27

| w/l = l

| nonconf = y

| opponent = Arizona

| opprank = 10

| site_stadium = Folsom Field

| site_cityst = Boulder, CO

| tv = Raycom

| score = 21–24

| attend = 41,024

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-arizona-gets-revenge-aga/170803119/|work=St. Petersburg Times|title=Arizona gets revenge against Colorado 24–21|date=September 28, 1986|accessdate=April 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 11

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = Missouri

| site_stadium = Faurot Field

| site_cityst = Columbia, MO

| tv = Raycom

| score = 17–12

| attend = 42,780

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/columbia-daily-tribune-mu-rises-but-stil/170799781/|work=Columbia Daily Tribune|title=MU rises but still falls short|date=October 12, 1986|accessdate=April 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 18

| w/l = w

| homecoming = y

| opponent = Iowa State

| site_stadium = Folsom Field

| site_cityst = Boulder, CO

| score = 31–3

| attend = 41,215

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-buffaloes-put-isu-bowl-talk/170800836/|work=The Gazette|title=Buffaloes put ISU bowl talk on hold, 31–3|date=October 19, 1986|accessdate=April 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 25

| w/l = w

| opponent = Nebraska

| opprank = 3

| site_stadium = Folsom Field

| site_cityst = Boulder, CO

| score = 20–10

| attend = 52,440

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-colorado-springs/170802480/|work=Green Bay Press-Gazette|title=Colorado springs upset, defeats Nebraska|date=October 26, 1986|accessdate=April 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 1

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = Oklahoma State

| site_stadium = Lewis Field

| site_cityst = Stillwater, OK

| tv = Raycom

| score = 31–14

| attend = 36,900

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-buffaloes-rally/170801801/|work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|title=Buffaloes rally past Cowboys|date=November 2, 1986|accessdate=April 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 8

| w/l = w

| opponent = Kansas

| site_stadium = Folsom Field

| site_cityst = Boulder, CO

| score = 17–10

| attend = 37,056

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-ku-not-quite-good-e/170798260/|work=The Kansas City Star|title=KU not quite good enough, but makes Colorado squirm|date=November 9, 1986|accessdate=April 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 15

| w/l = l

| opponent = Oklahoma

| opprank = 4

| site_stadium = Folsom Field

| site_cityst = Boulder, CO

| tv = Raycom

| score = 0–28

| attend = 52,707

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-sooners-cruise-past-colora/170803384/|work=Florida Today|title=Sooners cruise past Colorado|date=November 16, 1986|accessdate=April 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 22

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = Kansas State

| site_stadium = KSU Stadium

| site_cityst = Manhattan, KS

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 49–3

| attend = 14,700

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-mercury-buffs-return-and-win/170799393/|work=The Mercury|title=Buffs return, and win|date=November 23, 1986|accessdate=April 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = December 31

| w/l = l

| nonconf = y

| neutral = y

| opponent = Baylor

| opprank = 14

| site_stadium = Rice Stadium

| site_cityst = Houston, TX

| gamename = Bluebonnet Bowl

| tv = Raycom

| score = 9–21

| attend = 40,470

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kilgore-news-herald-bears-rip-buffs/170708811/|work=The Kilgore News Herald|title=Bears rip Buffs in Bluebonnet, 21–9|date=January 1, 1987|accessdate=April 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

{{cite web |author= |title=1987 Colorado Buffaloes Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/colorado/1987-schedule.html |website=College Football @ Sports-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=April 26, 2025 }}{{cite web |author= |title=1987 Football Schedule |url=https://cubuffs.com/sports/football/schedule/1987 |publisher=University of Colorado Boulder |access-date=April 26, 2025 }}{{cite web |author= |title=Colorado Football 2024 Record Book |url=https://static.cubuffs.com/custompages/football/2024_Record_Book/2024_Record_Book.pdf |publisher=University of Colorado Boulder |page=56 |access-date=April 26, 2025 }}

Game summaries

=Nebraska=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=#3 Nebraska

|V1=0 |V2=0 |V3=7 |V4=3

|Host=Colorado

|H1= 7|H2=3 |H3= 0|H4=10

|Date=October 25

|Location=Folsom Field, Boulder, Colorado

|StartTime=

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}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=1 |Time= |Team=COL |Event=Jeff Campbell 39-yard run (Dave DeLine kick) |Score= Colorado 7–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time= |Team=COL |Event= Dave DeLine 57-yard field goal|Score= Colorado 10–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |Time= |Team=NEB |Event=Steve Taylor 2-yard run (Klein kick) |Score= Colorado 10–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time= |Team=COL|Event=Lance Carl 52-yard pass from O.C. Oliver (DeLine kick) |Score= Colorado 17–7}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time= |Team=NEB |Event=Dale Klein 29-yard field goal |Score= Colorado 17–10}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= 4|Time= |Team=COL |Event=Dave DeLine 36-yard field goal |Score= Colorado 20–10 |LastEntry=yes}}

The fans tore down the goal posts as the Buffaloes defeated Nebraska for the first time since 1967, breaking a streak of 18 losses to the Huskers, and the first win in Boulder over NU since 1960. "This is a moment in our program we'll always cherish", said Colorado head coach Bill McCartney. "Up to this point I don't think we've beaten a great team. We did today. And I think we have a rivalry now." {{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kD1WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8-kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2265%2C3338076 |work=Gainesville Sun |location=(Florida) |agency=Associated Press |last=Mossman |first=John |title=No. 2 Alabama, No. 3 Nebraska get roughed up |date=October 26, 1986 |page=1F}}

=Oklahoma State=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Colorado

|V1=3 |V2=0 |V3=14 |V4=14

|Host=Oklahoma St

|H1=0 |H2=14 |H3=0 |H4=0

|Date=November 1

|Location=Lewis Field • Stillwater, Oklahoma

|StartTime=

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{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=1 |Time= |Team= COL|Event=DeLine 47-yard field goal |Score= Colorado 3–0}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time= |Team=OKST |Event=Dykes 17-yard pass from Gundy (O'Connell kick) |Score= Oklahoma St 7–3}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= 2|Time= |Team=OKST |Event= Thomas 3-yard run (O'Connell kick) |Score= Oklahoma St 14–3}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= 3|Time= |Team=COL |Event=Oliver 23-yard pass from Hatcher (DeLine kick) |Score= Oklahoma St 14–10}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= 3|Time= |Team=COL |Event=Hatcher 1-yard run (DeLine kick) |Score= Colorado 17–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter= 4|Time= |Team=COL |Event=Weatherspoon recovered fumble in end zone (DeLine kick) |Score= Colorado 24–14}}

{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time= |Team=COL |Event=Smith 2-yard run (DeLine kick) |Score= Colorado 31–14|LastEntry=yes}}

Personnel

=Coaching staff=

Head coach: Bill McCartney

Assistant coaches: Lou Tepper (AHC/DC/ILB), Gerry DiNardo (OC/TE), Gary Barnett (QB/FB), Steve Bernstein (DB), Mike Hankwitz (OLB), Steve Logan (RB), Oliver Lucas (WR), Les Miles (OL), Ron Vanderlinden (DL)

[http://www.cubuffs.com/fls/600/football/2010_Info_Guide/season_by_season_results_stats_pg214-282.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=600 2010 Colorado football information guide] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316072207/http://www.cubuffs.com/fls/600/football/2010_Info_Guide/season_by_season_results_stats_pg214-282.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=600 |date=2012-03-16 }}

=Roster=

{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=igpWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uOEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7061%2C2616035 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |title=Starting lineups |date=September 13, 1986 |page=2B}}

References

Colorado

Category:Colorado Buffaloes football seasons

Colorado Buffaloes football