This week in CU Buffs football history: Aug. 31-Sept. 6

Cliff Grassmick / Staff Photographer
Sefo Liufau led the Colorado Buffaloes to a 44-7 victory against Colorado State on Sept. 2, 2016.

By Brian Howell | bhowell@prairiemountainmedia.com | BuffZone

September 5, 2020 at 2:20 p.m.

A look back at some of the memorable moments in Colorado football history for the week of Aug. 31-Sept. 6:

1989 – Sept. 4, No. 14 Colorado 27, Texas 6: In the opening game of the Buffs’ undefeated regular season – and one of only two Monday games ever played by CU – sophomore Darian Hagan made his first career start at quarterback and was exceptional. He ran for 116 yards and a touchdown and completed 7-of-12 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. “I wasn’t nervous at all,” Hagan said after the game. CU would go on to finish 11-0 in the regular season, while Hagan was fifth in Heisman Trophy voting.

1997 – Sept. 6, No. 8 CU 31, No. 24 Colorado State 21: The only time in 91 meetings between these teams that both came in ranked among the top 25. Down 14-7 at the half, CU got a 26-yard interception return for touchdown from Rashidi Barnes to kickstart a 24-point surge to change the game. Marcus Washington also had a key interception and Phil Savoy caught two touchdown passes. CU would finish 5-6, while CSU went 11-2 and ranked No. 17.

1998 – Sept. 5, CU 42, No. 15 CSU 14: In the first Rocky Mountain Showdown to be played in Denver, the Buffs stunned the Rams, riding high after winning at No. 23 Michigan State a week earlier. Mike Moschetti threw three touchdown passes, Dwayne Cherrington ran for 100 yards and a touchdown and Cedric Cormier had an 82-yard punt return for touchdown as the Buffs snapped CSU’s 10-game winning streak.

2001 – Sept. 1, CU 41, No. 24 CSU 14: Rebounding from a loss to Fresno State the week before, the Buffs dominated the Rams on the ground, as Bobby Purify (191 yards, 1 TD) and Chris Brown (121 yards, 2 TD) helped CU rack up 315 rushing yards. Donald Strickland and Michael Lewis each returned interceptions for touchdowns.

2004 – Sept 4, CU 27, CSU 24: After an offseason of turmoil around the program with a recruiting “scandal” that put coach Gary Barnett’s job in jeopardy, CU opened the season with a wild win at Folsom Field. CSU marched to the 1-yard line with 30 seconds to play but was stuffed twice, including the Buffs’ JJ Billingsley tackling Tristian Walker as time expired. Purify ran for 189 yards and a touchdown, while Brian Iwuh had a 37-yard interception return for touchdown in the fourth quarter.

2005 – Sept. 3, CU 31, CSU 28: The largest crowd in Folsom Field history (54,972) watched CU rally from a 21-10 fourth quarter deficit. The Buffs scored 18 straight to take the lead, but CSU tied it with 36 seconds left. CU quickly responded, though, as Mason Crosby, celebrating his 21st birthday, booted the game-winning 47-yard field goal with four seconds to play. Hugh Charles ran for 101 yards and two touchdowns and the Buffs picked off four CSU passes.

2006 – Sept. 2, Montana State 19, CU 10: Barnett was fired after the 2005 season and replaced by Dan Hawkins, who some considered a home run hire after he went 53-11 in five years at Boise State. The stunning opener against Montana State, from the Football Championship Subdivision, was a sign of things to come. CU had a slew of mistakes and got outscored 13-0 in the second half. The Buffs finished that year 2-10 and 19-39 in Hawkins’ five seasons.

Cliff Grassmick/Staff photographer
Paul Richardson, middle, holds the Centennial Trophy with his teammates after the win over CSU on Sept. 1. (Cliff Grassmick)

2013 – Sept. 1, CU 41, CSU 27: Mike MacIntyre became just the third CU head coach to win his debut since 1931. CU rallied in the fourth quarter, as Will Oliver kicked a 52-yard field goal and Greg Henderson returned a fumble 53 yards for a touchdown. Connor Wood and Paul Richardson took care of the offense. Making his first start, Wood completed 33-of-46 passes for 400 yards and three touchdowns, while Richardson caught 10 passes for 208 yards and touchdowns of 82 and 75 yards.

2016 – Sept. 2, CU 44, CSU 7: A stunner to open the season and set the tone for the Buffs’ 10-win campaign. The Buffs led 37-0 after three quarters, as Sefo Liufau threw for 318 yards and a touchdown and Phillip Lindsay ran for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie had eight tackles and interception to lead a dominant defensive effort, as CU held the Rams to 225 yards.

2018 – Aug. 31, CU 45, CSU 13: The breakout game for star receiver Laviska Shenault. The sophomore caught 11 passes for 211 yards and an 89-yard touchdown as the Buffs took control from the start. Steven Montez threw for 338 yards and four touchdowns, while also running for a score. Nate Landman had 14 tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception to lead the defense.