Colorado University Athletics
Buff Bowl No. 8 - 1996 Cotton
Jan. 1, 1996
DALLAS, Texas - John Hessler threw for two touchdowns and ran for another and Herchell Troutman rushed for 100 yards and a score as the No. 7 Colorado Buffaloes rallied from a sluggish start in easily defeating the No. 12 Oregon Ducks, 38-6, in the 60th annual Cotton Bowl.
The Buffs overcame two early turnovers and a long kickoff return, holding the Ducks to just two field goals. The defense clamped down all afternoon on the potent Oregon attack, especially when the Ducks worked into CU territory; Oregon had just the six points in nine penetrations across midfield.
Trailing 6-0, Hessler directed CU on a six-play, 80-yard drive in just 97 seconds, with Hessler running the ball in himself from a yard out on the first play of the second quarter. After the teams exchanged possessions, the Ducks drove to the CU 9, where a Tony Graziani pass was intercepted by freshman Marcus Washington, who then returned the ball 95 yards for the longest interception return for a touchdown in CU bowl history.
Washington's heroics enabled the Buffs to take a 13-6 lead into the lockerroom, as the weather continued to get worse. A light rainfall increased as the game went on, with winds gusting to 20 miles per hour, making the field conditions worsen.
Though the weather was more Oregon-like, it didn't appear to bother Colorado. The Buffaloes broke open the close game in the third quarter with three touchdowns, with a six-yard run by Troutman sandwiched in the middle of two Hessler touchdown passes to Matt Lepsis and Phil Savoy. Troutman ran over right tackle for a 55-yard gain, the longest run ever by a Buff in the postseason, to set up CU's first second-half score.
Troutman was named the game's most valuable player on offense, with Washington garnering the same honor on defense, making six tackles in addition to his interception return.
Colorado owned a 313-258 edge in total offense, but the day belonged to the defense, and Oregon averaged just 3.5 yards per play and was forced into five turnovers. The win enabled Rick Neuheisel's Buffs to finish 10-2 on the season and No. 4 in the nation (USA Today/ CNN poll; No. 5 in the Associated Press).
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