1989 Colorado Buffaloes football team

American college football season August 2023 December 2025 1989 Colorado Buffaloes football Big Eight Conference Big 8 4 4 11–1 7–0 Bill McCartney 8th Gerry DiNardo 6th I-Bone option Mike Hankwitz 2nd 5–2 Darian Hagan Sal Aunese (honorary) Bill Coleman Mike Jones Erich Kissick Bruce Young Folsom Field Big 8 champion Orange Bowl L 6–21 vs. Notre Dame The 1989 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado at Boulder in the Big Eight Conference during the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. Colorado finished with the most wins in school history, surpassing the 1971 team, and their first conference championship in thirteen years. The Buffaloes went undefeated in the regular season at 11–0 (7–0 in Big 8) and played for the national title, but lost to fourth-ranked Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=itsxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WOUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6622%2C213182 Lawrence Daily Journal-World Kansas Associated Press No crown for Buffs January 1, 1990 1B The team dedicated the season to senior and former starting quarterback Sal Aunese, who was diagnosed with stomach cancer in late March,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3udVAAAAIBAJ&pg=6669%2C7918386 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon Associated Press Colorado quarterback stricken by cancer March 31, 1989 2B and died at age 21 on September 23 due to complications from the disease.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MvNVAAAAIBAJ&pg=7038%2C6481725 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon Associated Press Colorado mourns quarterback's death September 25, 1989 2Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=M_NVAAAAIBAJ&pg=4798%2C6746705 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon Associated Press 2,000 bid farewell to Aunese September 26, 1989 6Dhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ztoxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=--QFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5700%2C111732 Lawrence Daily Journal-World Kansas Associated Press Colorado tips Washington after memorial October 1, 1989 7B For the first time in 28 years, Colorado defeated Oklahoma and Nebraska in the same season.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DjwyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KuUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6502%2C4684239 Lawrence Daily Journal-World Kansas Associated Press Colorado ends Oklahoma domination, 20-3 October 29, 1989 5Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ozQyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JeUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2253%2C1759755 Lawrence Daily Journal-World Kansas Associated Press Colorado nails Nebraska, 27-21 November 5, 1989 1B In the 27 seasons in between, they had five wins over Oklahoma (1965, 1966, 1968, 1972, 1976) and two over Nebraska (1967, 1986). In another feel-good story, the team was host to a Make A Wish recipient Chad Henry for the big game against Nebraska in Boulder. Henry was an up-and-coming high school football player from Indiana, Pennsylvania, and the son of college/NFL coach Jack Henry, who began following the Buffaloes after reading about Sal Aunese's battle with cancer while himself battling a very rare and dangerous form of abdominal cancer. After cheering on the Buffs to the biggest win in school history in early November, Henry and his family were also invited to attend the national championship game in Miami as guests of the university. He went on to defeat the disease and did play football for his high school again in 1990. Although his once promising football career was ended following that season due to complications with side effects from the intense chemotherapy he endured, Henry went on to coach football at his high school and became a scout for the NFL's Detroit Lions and is currently with the Indianapolis Colts. Schedule 1989 AP Mountain September 4 5:30 pm w y 14 Texas Folsom Field Boulder, CO ESPN 27–6 47,269 https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch/28258682/ St. Louis Post-Dispatch Hagen runs, passes Colorado past Texas September 5, 1989 June 8, 2025 Newspapers.com September 9 1:30 pm w y 9 Colorado State Folsom Field Boulder, CO rivalry KCNC 45–20 44,921 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salina-journal-cu-downs-in-state-riv/173920528/ The Salina Journal CU downs in-state rivals September 10, 1989 June 8, 2025 Newspapers.com September 16 1:30 pm w y 8 Illinois 10 Folsom Field Boulder, CO CBS 38–7 46,747 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-colorado-hopes-to-climb-a/174119265/ The Tennessean Colorado hopes to climb after scaling Illinois September 17, 1989 June 8, 2025 Newspapers.com September 30 2:00 pm w y y 5 Washington 21 Husky Stadium Seattle, WA KCNC 45–28 69,152 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4_NVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=z-EDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6580%2C262498 Eugene Register-Guard Associated Press Buffs win for fallen teammate October 1, 1989 6E June 8, 2025 Google News Archivehttps://www.newspapers.com/article/the-olympian-colorado-runs-over-huskies/174079139/ The Olympian Colorado runs over Huskies October 1, 1989 June 8, 2025 Newspapers.com October 7 1:30 pm w 3 Missouri Folsom Field Boulder, CO 49–3 51,855 https://www.newspapers.com/article/columbia-daily-tribune-buffaloes-trample/174119481/ Columbia Daily Tribune Buffaloes trample Missouri October 8, 1989 June 8, 2025 Newspapers.com October 14 1:00 pm w y 3 Iowa State Cyclone Stadium Ames, IA KCNC 52–17 41,515 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-nonpareil-no-3-colorado-shows/174119603/ The Daily Nonpareil No. 3 Colorado shows ISU why October 15, 1989 June 8, 2025 Newspapers.com October 21 1:30 pm w y 3 Kansas Folsom Field Boulder, CO 49–17 50,057 https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-angelo-standard-times-no-3-colorado/174119740/ San Angelo Standard-Times No. 3 Colorado Buffs power past Kansas 49–17 October 22, 1989 June 8, 2025 Newspapers.com October 28 12:30 pm w y 3 Oklahoma Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK KWGN 20–3 75,004 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-3rd-ranked-colorado/174119858/ The Courier-Journal 3rd-ranked Colorado rolls past Oklahoma October 29, 1989 June 8, 2025 Newspapers.com November 4 12:30 pm w 2 Nebraska 3 Folsom Field Boulder, CO rivalry CBS 27–21 52,877 https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune/28259470/ Star Tribune Colorado Buffaloes way coser to Big Eight crown November 5, 1989 June 8, 2025 Newspapers.com November 11 12:30 pm w y 2 Oklahoma State Lewis Field Stillwater, OK KCNC 41–17 41,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-buffs-put-record-at/174120230/ The Billings Gazette Buffs put record at 10–0 November 12, 1989 June 8, 2025 Newspapers.com November 18 11:10 am w y 2 Kansas State KSU Stadium Manhattan, KS rivalry KCNC 59–11 20,117 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-110-colorado-e/174120358/ The Atlanta Journal & Constitution 11–0 Colorado ends 28-year title drought November 19, 1989 June 8, 2025 Newspapers.com January 1, 1990 6:00 pm l y y 1 Notre Dame 4 Orange Bowl Miami, FL Orange Bowl NBC 6–21 81,191 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-irish-initiate-g/173904250/ Wisconsin State Journal Irish initiate great debate January 2, 1990 June 8, 2025 Newspapers.com 1989 Colorado Buffaloes Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/colorado/1989-schedule.html College Football @ Sports-Reference.com Sports Reference April 26, 2025 1989 Football Schedule https://cubuffs.com/sports/football/schedule/1989 University of Colorado Boulder April 26, 2025 Colorado Football 2024 Record Book https://static.cubuffs.com/custompages/football/2024_Record_Book/2024_Record_Book.pdf University of Colorado Boulder 59 April 26, 2025 Rankings 1989 NCAA Division I-A football rankings AP 0 16 14 9 8 6 5 3 3 (2) 3 (3) 3 (1) 2 (2) 2 (4) 2 (3) 2 (3) 1 (53) 1 (55) 1 (51) 4 Coaches 0 16 14 11 7 5 5 4 4 (1) 3 (1) 3 (1) 2 (2) 2 (5) 2 (4) 2 (4) 1 (39) 1 (42) – 4 Game summaries Texas 1989 Texas Longhorns football team October 2022 Colorado State Colorado State Rams football Rocky Mountain Showdown October 2022 Illinois 1989 Illinois Fighting Illini football team October 2022 At Washington 1989 Washington Huskies football team October 2022 Missouri 1989 Missouri Tigers football team October 2022 At Iowa State 1989 Iowa State Cyclones football team October 2022 Kansas 1989 Kansas Jayhawks football team October 2022 At Oklahoma Colorado Buffaloes 2; text-align:center collapsed #3 Colorado Buffaloes (6–0) at Oklahoma Sooners (5–1) October 28 Colorado 0 10 0 10 Oklahoma 0 0 0 3 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma 75,004 KWGN Box Score First quarter No scoring Second quarter CU – Ken Culbertson 30-yard field goal. Colorado 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 50 yards. CU – J.J. Flannigan 1-yard run (Ken Culbertson kick). Colorado 10–0. Third quarter No scoring Fourth quarter OU – R.D. Lashar 33-yard field goal. Colorado 10–3. CU – Ken Culbertson 27-yard field goal, 9:49. Colorado 13–3. Drive: 9 plays. CU – Darian Hagan 8-yard run (Ken Culbertson kick). Colorado 20–3. Top rushers CU –Darian Hagan – 21 rushes, 107 yards, TD Colorado 8-0 for first time since 1927 Culbertson's field goal in second quarter gave Colorado its first lead over Oklahoma in a game since 1976 Colorado's first win in Norman since 1965 J.J. Flannigan 25 rushes, 103 yards Arthur Walker 8 tackles, sack (Big 8 Defensive Player of Week) https://www.cuatthegame.com/1989/oklahoma-high-five-in-the-produce-aisle/ Oklahoma – Getting a High Five in the Produce Aisle October 28, 1989 CU at the Game October 14, 2022 Nebraska #3 Nebraska at #2 Colorado Cornhuskers 7 7 7 0 Buffaloes 14 3 7 3 November 4 Folsom Field, Boulder, Colorado 52,877 Jim Nantz and Pat Haden CBS yes 1 13:30 NEB Bryan Carpenter 51 yard pass from Gerry Gdowski (Gregg Barrios kick) NEB 7–0 1 8:22 COL J.J. Flannigan 70 yard run (Ken Culbertson kick) Tie 7–7 1 5:04 COL Darian Hagan 1 yard run (Ken Culbertson kick) COL 14–7 2 11:33 NEB Morgan Gregory 12 yard pass from Gerry Gdowski (Gregg Barrios kick) Tie 14–14 2 0:12 COL Ken Culbertson 49 yard field goal COL 17–14 3 8:00 COL J.J. Flannigan 2 yard run (Ken Culbertson kick) COL 24–14 3 1:04 NEB Chris Garrett 26 yard pass from Gerry Gdowski (Gregg Barrios kick) COL 24–21 4 8:47 COL Ken Culbertson 28 yard field goal COL 27–21 yes 1989 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team Colorado–Nebraska football rivalry A look back at Nov. 4, 1989: Colorado 27, Nebraska 21 https://www.denverpost.com/2010/11/22/a-look-back-at-nov-4-1989-colorado-27-nebraska-21/ Denver Post November 22, 2010 January 1, 2019 Nebraska vs. Colorado 1989 http://www.huskermax.com/games/1989/09colorado.html Husker Max November 25, 2014 Colorado honored their All-Century team at halftime At Oklahoma State 1989 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team October 2022 At Kansas State 1989 Kansas State Wildcats football team October 2022 Orange Bowl (vs. Notre Dame) 1990 Orange Bowl Colorado Buffaloes 2; text-align:center collapsed #1 Colorado Buffaloes (11–0) vs. #4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11–1) January 1, 1990 Monday Notre Dame 0 0 14 7 Colorado 0 0 6 0 Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida 81,190 NBC Dick Enberg and Bill Walsh Recap/Box First quarter No scoring Second quarter No scoring Third quarter ND – Anthony Johnson 2-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 11:48. Notre Dame 7–0. ND – Raghib Ismail 35-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 7:19. Notre Dame 14–0. CU – Darian Hagan 39-yard run (kick failed), 0:01. Notre Dame 14–6. Fourth quarter ND – Anthony Johnson 7-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 1:32. Notre Dame 21–6. Top passers ND – Tony Rice – 5/9, 99 yards CU – Darian Hagan – 4/13, 65 yards Top rushers ND – Anthony Johnson – 15 rushes, 89 yards, 2 TD CU – Eric Bieniemy – 11 rushes, 66 yards Top receivers ND – Pat Eilers – 2 receptions, 47 yards CU – Eric Kissick – 2 receptions, 33 yards Lackluster Colorado Leveled by Notre Dame The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1990/01/02/sports/lackluster-colorado-leveled-by-notre-dame.html January 2, 1990 January 1, 2019 Personnel 1989 Colorado Buffaloes y Matt Bell RB 1 JR Eric Bieniemy RB y Jon Boman TE 84 Sr Jeff Campbell WR 77 Bill Coleman OT C Dennis Collier RB Scott DeGoler RB J.J. Flannigan RB 62 JR Joe Garten OG 3 So Darian Hagan QB y George Hemingway FB Mark Henry WR Charles S. Johnson QB y Eric Kissick FB C 52 So Jay Leeuwenberg C Darren Muilenberg OG M.J. Nelson WR O.C. Oliver RB John Perak TE 9 Jr Mike Pritchard WR y Tony Senna RB Michael Simmons RB 72 Jr Mark VanderPoel OT Mark Walters QB Chad Brown OLB y linebacker David Gibbs CB Gary Howe DL Tim James S Terry Johnson ILB 59 Michael Jones ILB C 12 Jr Dave McCloughan CB y 96 Jr Kanavis McGhee DE Okland Salavea DT 93 So Joel Steed NG y Sr Arthur Walker DT 94 Alfred Williams OLB Bruce Young S C Ken Culbertson K Tom Rouen P y Bill McCartney (8th year) Gary Barnett Mike Barry Gerry DiNardo (OC) Don Frease Mike Hankwitz (DC) Oliver Lucas Bob Simmons Ron Vanderlinden Zaven Yaralian References Colorado Category:Colorado Buffaloes football seasons Category:Big Eight Conference football champion seasons Colorado Buffaloes football