Colorado University Athletics
BUFFS, RAMS EXTEND FOOTBALL SERIES THROUGH 2014
March 31, 2004 | Football
BOULDER - The University of Colorado and Colorado State University have agreed to extend their football series through the 2014 season in an agreement jointly announced Wednesday by the athletic directors of the state's two largest public institutions.
Fans of those schools will also be pleased to see that there will be no break in the rivalry, as games have now been in added in both 2006 and 2007 when the series was set for a two-year hiatus due to previous scheduling conflicts.
The current agreement wraps up with games at Folsom Field in Boulder on both Sept. 4, 2004 and Sept. 3, 2005, with the new nine-year extension beginning the following year, as the teams return to INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver for a Sept. 9, 2006 match-up.
Athletic directors Dick Tharp (CU) and Mark Driscoll (CSU) have been working together the past several months not only to extend the series, but also include games in both '06 and '07.
"I am pleased that we have reached a mutually acceptable agreement," Tharp said. "I want to compliment Mark Driscoll and the CSU administration for their cooperation and efforts to recognize in this agreement that each program has unique issues when it comes to football scheduling and finances."
Tharp also cited cooperation from Arizona State for the willingness to flip-flop home sites in both 2006 and 2007 to create the opportunity for the Buffs and Rams to continue the series without interruption since 1995. California did the same in later years.
"This is a very exciting day for the athletic departments and the football programs at both institutions," said Driscoll. "We are very excited to be able to extend the series for 10 more years. This announcement signifies a commitment by both institutions to continue the growth and popularity that the series has enjoyed."
Under terms of the agreement, the next two games will remain in Boulder, with the Rams to host the 2006 game in Denver. The other eight games break down as follows: 2007 (Boulder), 2008 (Denver), 2009 (CSU choice, Fort Collins or Denver), 2010 (Boulder), 2011 (Boulder), 2012 (CSU choice), 2013 (Denver) and 2014 (Denver). In addition, the Rams will serve as the home team in the 2008 and 2014 games in Denver, with CU the host in 2013.
After a 25-year dormancy, the teams resumed the series in 1983, having played every year but five (1984-90-91-93-94) since. There have been 75 games in the all-time series, with CU leading by a 55-18-2 count, though the schools have split the last six games that took place in Denver, including the last three at INVESCO Field after Mile High Stadium was replaced and torn down.
"I believe our fans and the Boulder community will be elated that we will continue the tradition of six home games a year played at Folsom Field," Tharp added. "However, this also allows for continuation of this rivalry in other venues that are cost effective and beneficial to both the players and fans of our two great state universities."
"Both institutions worked diligently over the past several months to ensure the future of the series," Driscoll noted. "It is important to the continued welfare of both programs, as well as to the alumni members, donors, fans and students of both institutions, that we continue the series. This series has truly earned a well-deserved place on the national landscape as one of the most exciting rivalries in college football."
The game, the season opener for both schools more often than not, has been nationally televised seven times in the last nine years, with the other two broadcast on a regional basis. The dates of the next 11 games in the series:
| Date | Location | Host |
| Sept. 4, 2004 | Folsom Field | Colorado |
| Sept. 3, 2005 | Folsom Field | Colorado |
| Sept. 9, 2006 | INVESCO Field | Colorado State |
| Sept. 1, 2007 | Folsom Field | Colorado |
| Aug. 30, 2008 | INVESCO Field | Colorado State |
| Sept. 5, 2009 | CSU Choice | Colorado State |
| Sept. 4, 2010 | Folsom Field | Colorado |
| Sept. 3, 2011 | Folsom Field | Colorado |
| Sept. 1, 2012 | CSU Choice | Colorado State |
| Aug. 31, 2013 | INVESCO Field | Colorado |
| Aug. 30, 2014 | INVESCO Field | Colorado State |
