Colorado University Athletics
Buff Bowl No. 1 - 1991 Orange
Jan. 1, 1991
Buy a copy of the '91 Orange Bowl
What else could be No. 1? In CU's countdown of its Top 10 Bowl Games, the 1991 Orange Bowl tops the list. CU defeated Notre Dame 10-9 and finished atop the AP poll to earn its first National Championship. There were no shortage of heroes for the Buffs in this one.
MIAMI, Fla. - In an Orange Bowl where there was no shortage of heroes for Colorado, the No. 1 Buffaloes toppled No. 5 Notre Dame, 10-9, enabling the school to claim its first-ever national championship in football. CU overcame two key injuries in rallying in the second half for the victory.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Buffaloes drew first blood on a 22-yard field goal by Jim Harper three minutes into the second quarter. Notre Dame came right back, marching 62 yards in nine plays, with Ricky Watters scoring from two yards out. The score remained at 6-3, however, as CU's Ronnie Bradford charged through the line and blocked Craig Hentrich's extra point try. Just prior to halftime, CU lost the services of quarterback Darian Hagan (knee injury) and outside linebacker Kanavis McGhee (shoulder). Both missed the remainder of the game.
Hentrich booted a 24-yard field goal early in the second half to extend the Irish lead to 9-3. Charles S. Johnson took over at quarterback for the Buffs, with Notre Dame stopping CU cold on its first possession of the second half. On the first play of the next Notre Dame drive, Chad Brown forced Watters to fumble, with Paul Rose, subbing for McGhee, making the recovery.
Johnson, his feet now wet, coolly directed the Buffaloes to the go-ahead touchdown. Eric Bieniemy's one-yard touchdown run and Jim Harper's extra point kick late in the third quarter rallied CU into the lead. The Buffalo defense then held Notre Dame in check, as the Irish held on to the ball for only less than four minutes the rest of the game, mustering only 35 yards of total offense after CU went on top.
Colorado's road to the national championship wasn't without a couple of late scares. Notre Dame's Raghib Ismail broke loose on a punt return with less than a minute remaining, appearing to run 91 yards for a score, but CU's Tim James was clipped on the play, nullifying the gain. And with 13 seconds left in the game, the Irish still had a chance, especially with Hentrich's leg. On its own 38, a completion in the 20-25 yard range would have set up a winning field goal attempt, but Deon Figures intercepted the Rick Mirer pass at the Buff 36 and ran out the clock with a 27-yard return.
Bieniemy rushed for a game-high 86 yards on 28 carries, with
Johnson earning the MVP honor, completing five of six passes for 80
yards. Defensively, the Buffs limited the "Golden Domers" to just
264 yards, and Greg Thomas picked off a pair of Mirer passes in
Colorado territory. The win, which gave CU an 11-1-1 record
for the season, also snapped a seven-game CU bowl-losing streak.
Notre Dame finished the year with a 9-3 mark, and finished No. 6 in
the nation.
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