Plati-'Tudes Shorts: Top Game 3's

Plati-'Tudes Short No. 3 ... The third installment of CU's best or most exciting football games in its history as to when they occurred in week three of any season. We're running these over the next three months on our "Throwback Thursdays" -- many are obvious, a few obscure, and no doubt some up for debate. The best game threes in our history in my humble opinion:

GAME 3's

#1—1994: Colorado 27, Michigan 26 at Ann Arbor.
The No. 7 Buffaloes defeated the No. 4 Michigan Wolverines at the Big House in Ann Arbor in what simply is now referred to as, "The Miracle in Michigan." CU built a 14-3 lead on a touchdown run by Rashaan Salaam and a 27-yard TD pass from quarterback Kordell Stewart to Michael Westbrook. But Michigan would win the middle quarters and held a 26-14 lead entering the fourth quarter. The Wolverines had chance to possibly make the lead insurmountable with 11 minutes to play, but Ted Johnson forced a fumble at the CU 12 with Donnell Leomiti recovering to end the threat. Two series later, the Buffs were on the march and drove to the UM4, where Stewart ran a keeper toward the goal line but fumbled at the stripe, the ball going back to Michigan. Still down by 12 when it gained possession with 3:52 to play, Colorado mounted a furious rally. Salaam capped a 70-yard drive in 96 seconds with a 1-yard TD run, cutting the lead to 26-21; after a Wolverine punt, CU had the ball at its own 15 with 14 seconds remaining. Stewart hit Westbrook across the middle for a 21-yard gain out to the CU 36, and after spiking the ball, the Buffs were left with six seconds on the clock. Stewart and Westbrook hooked up again, this time via a Blake Anderson tip with the play covering 64 yards as time expired to propel CU to the win. The play would win the ESPY as the play of the year for all sports and was one of the top plays in the century in college football.

Runner-Up—1971: Colorado 20, Ohio State 14 at Columbus.
Two games into the season, CU went from unranked to No. 10, and hit the road for the second time in three games to face a top 10 opponent, this time No. 6 Ohio State. CU scored first at the 6:51 mark of the first quarter on a 6-yard run by quarterback Ken Johnson, and built in to 13-0 in the second quarter with a 68-yard punt return by Cliff Branch. OSU ran 89 plays for 400 yards in the game, but was held scoreless until there was 4:28 remaining in the game, cutting the lead to 13-7. But the Buffs answered right back, recovering a Buckeye onside kick attempt and went up 20-7 on a 39-yard scoring run by Johnson, who ran busted through the left side and raced into the end zone. Ohio State scored again with 2:11 left, but CU again covered the onside kick and ran out the clock. Bud Magrum was in on 20 tackles for the Buffs, nine solo including two quarterback sacks, with Randy Geist adding 17 (seven unassisted) with two passes broken up. The win ended a 19-game home winning streak by the Buckeyes, who hadn't lost at the "Horseshoe" since 1967. Colorado moved to No. 6 in the next Associated Press poll, earning two first place votes, the first ever in school history.

Honorable Mention—1989: Colorado 38, Illinois 7 in Boulder.
The first national network broadcast from Boulder in 17 years, and the first-ever on CBS, pitting the No. 8 Buffaloes against No. 10 Illinois. The side story was just as big, as it would be the last game Sal Aunese would see his teammates play as he would pass away from complications due to stomach cancer the following Saturday. The Buffs were fired up from the get-go, and on the third play of the game, Darian Hagan completed a 74-yard pass to Jeff Campbell to the Illinois 5; Campbell rose up and pointed to his ill teammate who was watching from a landing outside of the press box. Eric Bieniemy scored two plays later, and then passed for another (48 yard to M.J. Nelson) and after J.J. Flannigan dashed in from 45 yards out, the Buffs built an insurmountable 21-7 lead. CU outgained Illinois 475-193, as the CU defense forced four turnovers and had five quarterback sack for a whopping 66 yards in losses. It was a 100/100 game, with Nelson catching three passes for 109 yards and Bieniemy rushing for 100 on 17 carries, just the seventh such game at the time in program history. Flannigan added 98 yards and two scores, while David Gibbs led the defense with 10 tackles and Alfred Williams recording two of the sacks.

"Plati-'Tudes" features notes and stories that may not get much play from the mainstream media; offers Plati's or CU's take on issues raised by those who have an interest in the program; answers questions and concerns; and provides CU's point of view if we should disagree with what may have been written or broadcast. Have a question or want to know CU's take on something? E-mail Dave at david.plati@colorado.edu, and the subject may appear in the next Plati-'Tudes.

Top Game 3??'s are all B1G wins, including a Miracle, a Top ?? win in Columbus and Sal's last game. @DavidPlati's take ?? https://t.co/7V95DkT6jt

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— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) April 30, 2020

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