Folsom500 - A Look Back - October 25, 1986 - University of Colorado Athletics

BOULDER - Colorado Buffalo Gold Rush Saturday, as proclaimed by former Colorado Governor Richard Lamm just days before the event, would go down as one of the most historic games of Colorado Football history.

The Buffaloes, under Bill McCartney's leadership for the fifth season now, were looking to extend their win streak to three, and to do so, it would have to come against the undefeated and third ranked team in the nation, the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Prior to this meeting Nebraska had won 18 in a row against Colorado, a span of 19 years and 3 days. This matchup would shape what the Big Eight Conference would look like throughout the rest of the season. The CU faithful knew this and showed up in unprecedented numbers. Attendance at kickoff was standing room only as there were 52,440 in attendance, packing Folsom Field, which had a seating capacity of 51,941.

Both Colorado and Nebraska would have possession before any scoring would take place. Late in the first quarter, the Buffaloes ran a reverse to wide receiver Jeff Campbell who would take it 39 yards for the first points of the game. This would be the only scoring in the first quarter as Colorado's defense had clearly showed up to play, allowing Nebraska only 52 yards of total offense.

To start the second quarter, Nebraska was sitting pretty on Colorado's 31-yard line. But quarterback Steve Taylor's first throw of the quarter would be intercepted by Colorado's Solomon Wilcots.

Nebraska was sitting on the edge of Colorado's red-zone once again. With 9:20 remaining in the second quarter, Colorado's hot defense would once again cause a turnover. Taylor fumbled after being hit, and it was recovered by Colorado's defensive tackle Curt Koch.

On the following possession, kicker Dave DeLine would nail a 57-yard field goal to give the Buffaloes a 10-0 lead going into halftime.

The Buffaloes' defense was continuing to play a huge role in the team's success, as Nebraska was held to just 64 yards of total offense in the first half.

Colorado's first drive of the second half was rather successful in terms of getting down to Nebraska's 24-yard line. However, Anthony Weatherspoon fumbled giving the ball back to Nebraska.

The third quarter could be best summarized as an exchange of turnovers for both teams. Unfortunately, Nebraska was able to take advantage of one of these turnovers at Colorado's 11-yard line. With only 11 yards to go, the defense could only do so much and Nebraska scored its first touchdown of the game.

With only a 10-7 lead going into the fourth quarter, the pressure was on, but the Buffaloes had some tricks up their sleeves. On the first play of the fourth quarter, quarterback Mark Hatcher pitched the ball to freshman halfback O.C. Oliver who then passed it deep to Lance Carl for a 51-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 17-7.

Nebraska would then respond with a field goal to claw within seven, but on the Buffs ensuing drive, they would answer with a field goal of their own for a 20-10 lead.

With a little less than eight minutes remaining in the fourth Colorado had a comfortable 10 point lead that they would manage to hold onto the rest of the game. The big red machine came to a slamming halt as the Boulder faithful tore down both goal posts postgame.

Following the game McCartney elaborated on how much this game meant for the program, "I think this is a moment in our program history we'll always cherish. It indicates we can go forward. We can beat a great team. Up to this point, I don't think we've beaten a great team. And I think we have got a rivalry now."

Referred to this day as "The Turning Point," this game began Colorado's return to national prominence.

Colorado University Athletics

Folsom500 - A Look Back - October 25, 1986

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