What Is 1949 Colorado Buffaloes football team

Overview

The 1949 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado during the 1949 NCAA college football season. Led by second-year head coach Dallas Ward, the team competed in the Big Seven Conference and finished with a balanced 5–5 overall record.

The Buffaloes showed competitiveness in conference play, posting a 3–2 mark, but struggled to secure a winning season. Despite modest results, the year was part of a transitional era for the program as it built toward future success in the 1950s.

• Dallas Ward was in his second season as head coach, continuing to implement his offensive strategies and player development system.
• The team played its home games at Folsom Field in Boulder, a venue that has hosted Colorado football since 1924.
• They finished 3–2 in Big Seven Conference play, placing them in the middle of the conference standings.
• Colorado scored 131 total points across 10 games, averaging 13.1 points per game during the season.
• The defense allowed 137 total points, just six more than they scored, indicating a relatively even performance.

Season Performance

The 1949 season featured a mix of wins against regional opponents and narrow losses to stronger teams. Colorado’s schedule included matchups against future powerhouses and regional rivals, testing the depth and resilience of the squad.

• Season Record: The Buffaloes ended the year with a 5–5 overall record, reflecting an even split between wins and losses.
• Non-Conference Games: They went 2–3 outside of conference play, facing teams from various regional conferences.
• Home Record: Colorado posted a 4–1 record at Folsom Field, showing strong performance in front of home fans.
• Road Struggles: The team went 1–4 away from Boulder, highlighting challenges in traveling matchups.
• Scoring Margin: The squad was outscored by just 6 points overall (137–131), suggesting close, competitive games.
• Key Victory: A notable win came against Kansas State, a 13–7 decision that contributed to their conference success.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 1949 season compared to surrounding years in terms of performance and conference alignment:

The 1949 season served as a transitional year between moderate success in 1948 and a breakthrough in 1951, when Colorado went 9–2 and won the conference title. While 1949 didn’t stand out statistically, it maintained program momentum under Ward’s leadership.

Why It Matters

The 1949 Colorado Buffaloes season is a snapshot of a program building toward future prominence. Though not a standout year, it contributed to the foundation that led to Colorado’s first conference championship in over two decades just two years later.

• The season demonstrated consistency under Dallas Ward, who was developing a more disciplined and competitive team culture.
• Playing in the Big Seven Conference placed Colorado against strong regional opponents like Oklahoma and Missouri, increasing competitive exposure.
• Performance at Folsom Field remained strong, showing the growing importance of home-field advantage in Boulder.
• The close point differential indicated a competitive team capable of challenging better opponents, a sign of progress.
• Player development during this era laid the groundwork for the 1951 conference title, a major milestone for the program.
• Historical records from 1949 help trace the evolution of Colorado football into a national contender in the 1950s.

While not remembered for championships or standout stars, the 1949 season was a steady step in Colorado’s long-term growth. It reflects the incremental progress often necessary before achieving sustained success in college football.