Every Colorado fan of a sure era can nonetheless hear Larry Zimmer’s voice.
As Chris Brown burst by way of the road, Zimmer’s name rose with each stride.
“Brown pushes a man… five… he’s in… touchdown number six!”
By then, the celebration inside Folsom Field had already begun.
Brown’s sixth dashing landing of the afternoon put an exclamation level on one of many best performances in Colorado soccer historical past—a 62-36 dismantling of No. 1 Nebraska that continues to be one of many defining moments not solely in Buff historical past, however within the historical past of faculty soccer.
Around Boulder, these two numbers want no clarification.
As Colorado celebrates 150 years of statehood with a countdown of the Top 150 Moments in Colorado Sports History, few moments higher seize the joy, significance and lasting impression of sports activities within the Centennial State than what unfolded on Nov. 23, 2001.
The scoreboard informed one story.
The ripple results informed one other.
Officially, Colorado clinched the Big 12 North Division championship and revived its nationwide championship hopes. Unofficially, the Buffaloes authored a recreation that helped expose flaws in school soccer’s postseason system, accelerated the dialog that finally led to the College Football Playoff and marked the start of the top of one of many sport’s best dynasties.
The rating might have shocked the nation.
Inside Colorado’s soccer places of work, it wasn’t practically as shocking.
“We had a really good plan against Nebraska,” former head coach Gary Barnett recalled. “We blocked them and then we ran through them.”
That confidence had been constructing for weeks.
Colorado had rediscovered its identification following a convincing victory at Iowa State and entered the regular-season finale believing it matched up nicely with the nation’s top-ranked crew. The Buffaloes had endured years of heartbreaking losses to Nebraska, however contained in the locker room there was little concern.
“No one was scared of Nebraska at all,” Barnett stated. “We knew we could play with them at any time.”
From the opening kickoff, Colorado backed up that confidence.
The Buffaloes raced to a surprising 35-3 lead early within the second quarter, overwhelming the nation’s No. 1 crew in each section. It wasn’t merely an upset. It was a dismantling.
While Brown’s six dashing touchdowns turned the lasting picture of the afternoon, the offensive efficiency was outstanding from begin to end.
Colorado rushed for 380 yards and eight touchdowns towards one of many nation’s premier defenses.
Brown carried 24 occasions for 198 yards and 6 touchdowns, one of many best particular person performances at school historical past.
Bobby Purify added 154 yards on 20 carries and one other landing, giving Colorado two 150-yard rushers towards a Nebraska protection that had constructed its repute on stopping the run.
Through the air, Daniel Graham delivered one other signature efficiency throughout his Mackey Award-winning season, hauling in 4 receptions for 112 yards and a landing whereas serving to Bobby (*20*) orchestrate one of many best offensive performances in Colorado historical past.
And whereas the offense stole the headlines, Colorado’s protection was each bit as dominant.
The Buffaloes intercepted two passes, compelled three fumbles and broke up six extra passes, repeatedly taking the ball away and irritating an offense that entered the afternoon averaging greater than 42 factors per recreation.
The numbers stay staggering greater than twenty years later.
380 dashing yards.
Eight dashing touchdowns.
582 yards of whole offense.
62 factors towards the nation’s No. 1 crew.
Yet even with a four-touchdown lead, Barnett by no means relaxed.
“I never felt like that game was over until it was over,” he stated. “I didn’t take a deep breath till we took a knee.”
The victory accomplished one of many best late-season turnarounds at school historical past. One week later, Colorado defeated Texas within the Big 12 Championship Game, capturing the convention title and incomes a visit to the Fiesta Bowl whereas briefly putting itself squarely within the nationwide championship dialog.
But the importance of 62-36 stretched nicely past Colorado’s championship run.
Despite struggling a 26-point loss in its regular-season finale and failing to win the Big 12 North Division, Nebraska was chosen to play Miami within the BCS National Championship Game. The determination turned one of many defining flashpoints within the debate over the Bowl Championship Series, fueling criticism that the system didn’t determine the 2 most deserving groups. Those debates continued for greater than a decade earlier than school soccer finally adopted the College Football Playoff.
The afternoon additionally represented a turning level for Nebraska.
The Cornhuskers entered Folsom Field as one of many sport’s best dynasties, having gained three nationwide championships within the earlier seven seasons and dominated school soccer for greater than three a long time. While Nebraska has loved profitable moments since, it has by no means returned to the sustained prominence that outlined the Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne eras.
Colorado’s victory did not finish the dynasty by itself.
But it turned one of many defining moments marking the shut of 1 period and the start of one other.
Around Boulder, there are a number of scores which have turn out to be a part of this system’s vocabulary.
20-10.
10-9.
62-36.
Each represents a chapter in Colorado soccer historical past.
But if one rating stands above the remaining, it’s 62-36—the afternoon the Buffaloes did not merely defeat the nation’s No. 1 crew. They reclaimed the convention, reignited a championship chase and authored a recreation whose affect reached far past Folsom Field.
1 / 4 centrury later, Buff followers can nonetheless hear Larry Zimmer’s voice.
“Brown pushes a man… five… he’s in… touchdown number six!”