Early Years Laying The Foundation

The University of Colorado Boulder Buffaloes Football: A History of Success

Early Years: Laying the Foundation

The University of Colorado Boulder football program began in 1890, making it one of the oldest in the country.

Led by Head Coach Horace G. Nichols, the early teams played a mix of local and regional opponents.

Notable Accomplishments:

• First conference championship in 1907 (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference)
• Undefeated season in 1911

Golden Age: National Recognition

In the 1940s and 1950s, the Buffaloes experienced a period of sustained success under Head Coach Dal Ward.

CU joined the Big Seven Conference (now Big 12) in 1948 and quickly became a force to be reckoned with.

Key Players and Moments:

• All-American running back Joe Romig
• 1950 Orange Bowl victory over LSU
• 1954 berth in the Sugar Bowl

Modern Era: Ups and Downs

After the golden age, the Buffaloes faced some challenges, but they continued to produce successful seasons.

Head Coach Bill McCartney led CU to a share of the national championship in 1990, and the team also made several bowl appearances in the 2000s.

Recent Highlight:

• Pac-12 South Division Championship in 2016

Legendary Players

The University of Colorado Boulder football program has produced numerous legendary players over the years, including:

• John Wooten (College Football Hall of Famer)
• Kordell Stewart
• Chris Leak

Notable Records

• Most wins in a single season: 11 (1990, 2016)
• Most bowl appearances: 26

The Future of Colorado Football

Under the leadership of Head Coach Karl Dorrell, the Buffaloes are looking to return to the glory days of the past.

With a talented roster and a strong recruiting pipeline, the future looks bright for Colorado football.