What Is 1985 Colorado Buffaloes football team

Overview

The 1985 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado Boulder during the 1985 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by head coach Bill McCartney in his fourth year, the team played its home games at Folsom Field in Boulder and competed in the Big Eight Conference.

The Buffaloes showed improvement over previous seasons, posting a winning record and earning a bowl invitation. Their performance reflected growing momentum under McCartney’s leadership, setting the foundation for future success in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

• Record: The team finished with a 7-4-1 overall record, marking one of the better seasons since McCartney’s arrival.
• Conference play: In the Big Eight, Colorado went 3-3-1, tying for fourth place in the final standings.
• Head coach: Bill McCartney was in his fourth season and continued building a more disciplined, defense-oriented program.
• Home stadium: The Buffaloes played all home games at Folsom Field, a 50,183-seat stadium in Boulder, Colorado.
• Bowl appearance: The team earned a bid to the 1985 Freedom Bowl, their first bowl game since 1971.

Season Performance

The 1985 season featured a mix of competitive wins and tough losses, with several games decided by narrow margins. Colorado’s schedule included matchups against strong conference opponents and notable non-conference teams.

• Season opener: The Buffaloes began the year with a 24-21 win over in-state rival Colorado State on September 7.
• Key victory: A 24-17 win over Kansas State in October helped improve their conference standing.
• Close loss: Colorado fell to eventual conference champion Oklahoma 20-17 in a tightly contested game on November 2.
• Tie game: The team tied 14-14 with Kansas in October, one of only two such results in the season.
• Offensive stats: The Buffaloes averaged 20.8 points per game, led by quarterback Charles Johnson and running back Heron Gibson.
• Defensive effort: The defense allowed 20.5 points per game, showing improvement under coordinator Tom Reed.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1985 season compares to recent years in program history:

The 1985 season marked a turning point, as Colorado returned to postseason play after a 14-year drought. While not as dominant as later teams, the 1985 squad laid the groundwork for the program’s rise in the late 1980s, culminating in a national championship contention by 1989.

Why It Matters

The 1985 Colorado Buffaloes season was significant in the broader arc of the program’s resurgence under Bill McCartney. It represented the beginning of sustained competitiveness after years of mediocrity.

• Program momentum: The bowl appearance signaled progress and helped boost recruiting and fan engagement.
• Coaching development: McCartney’s system began to take hold, emphasizing discipline and defensive toughness.
• Player development: Key players like Heron Gibson and Charles Johnson gained experience that fueled future seasons.
• Historical context: This was Colorado’s first bowl since 1971, ending a 14-year postseason drought.
• Conference impact: The team’s .500 conference record showed they could compete with top Big Eight teams.
• Legacy: The 1985 season helped set the stage for Colorado’s 1989 national title run.

Though not a championship year, the 1985 season was a crucial step in rebuilding the Buffaloes into a national power. It demonstrated resilience and marked the beginning of a new era in Colorado football history.