Quarterback Bobby Pesavento holding the Big 12 trophy, flanked by Daniel Graham and Jashon Sykes on his right and Corey Alexander on his left.
Photo by: CUBuffs.com
November 13, 2026 | Football
The Buffaloes won the Big 12 title in impressive fashion
This year marks the 25th anniversary of CU's Big 12 Conference Championship and Fiesta Bowl team in 2001, several members have returned to Boulder this weekend to reminisce and celebrate that special season together once again and be honored during tonight's game against Houston (8:15 p.m., ESPN).
Head coach Gary Barnett's Buffaloes finished 10-3, won the Big 12 championship and finished the season as the No. 9 team nation in both the Associated Press and coaches polls. Over the course of the season the program bonded with several members of a New York City fire department (FDNY Engine 1, Ladder Company 24) in supporting it after the September 11 terrorist attacks (15 of its first responders were in attendance for the Nebraska game).
Colorado made a charge at the end of the year, steamrolling BCS No. 1 Nebraska and topping Texas for the Big 12 title. The BCS computer rankings determined the top two teams that would square off in the Rose Bowl for the national championship: Miami was an undisputed No. 1 and Nebraska, despite being humiliated by CU (in which they have yet to recover from in earnest 25 years later), edged CU for the No. 2 slot by .05 of a point.
Five seniors were selected in the 2002 NFL Draft: Daniel Graham (first round, 21st overall by New England), Andre Gurode (second by Dallas), Michael Lewis (second by Philadelphia), Justin Bannan (fifth by Buffalo) and Victor Rogers (seventh by Detroit); seven other Buffs on the '01 team were selected in later drafts in 2003 and 2004.
A game-by-game look back at the '01 season:
Fresno State 24, Colorado 22 (Jim Thorpe Classic, Aug. 26 in Boulder) – Five CU turnovers led to 17 Bulldog points, including two first quarter touchdowns in falling behind 14-0. The Buffs, who out gained Fresno 412-287 (with Craig Ochs throwing for 346 of those yards), rallied but never got closer than the final score. It was the first Sunday game at Folsom Field since 1896.
Colorado 41, Colorado State 14 (Sept. 1 in Denver) – Donald Strickland returned an interception 31 yards for a touchdown just 56 seconds into the game and the Buffaloes never looked back in snapping a two-game losing streak to their neighbors from the north. Michael Lewis added another pick-six for the Buffs in the third quarter for a 24-7 lead as CU intercepted Ram quarterbacks four times on the night. Bobby Purify ran for 191 yards and a TD with Chris Brown gaining 121 with two scores—neither were stopped for a loss out of the 42 attempts between them.
Colorado 51, San Jose State 15 (Sept. 8 in Boulder) – Brown scored twice and Purify once as CU zoomed ahead 21-0 in the first quarter in making quick work of the Spartans. The Buffs amassed 560 yards with a balanced attack (263 rushing, 297 passing), with tight end Daniel Graham hauling in eight catches for 133 yards. Robbie Robinson led the defense with 13 tackles and two pass deflections.
Colorado vs. Washington State 15 (Sept. 15 at Pullman) – Game was canceled due to the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington D.C. No make-up date later in the season worked for either team. It was finally rescheduled in 2004 -- and played in Seattle -- CU won, 20-12.
Colorado 27, Kansas 16 (Sept. 22 in Boulder) – The Jayhawks took a 16-13 lead with a field goal two plays into the fourth quarter, but CU went ahead for good on a 17-yard TD pass from Ochs to Graham on the next series. A 40-yard run by Brown for a score after a short KU punt added some insurance against a stubborn Jayhawk team as the nation returned to a bit of normalcy after the attacks on the east coast. Lewis had 12 tackles and Strickland 10, with Tyler Brayton adding nine with two quarterback sacks as the Buffs rolled up 524 yards on offense to KU's 278..
Colorado 16, Kansas State 6 (Oct. 6 at Manhattan) – Ochs and Graham hooked up on a 21-yard pass for a TD in the first quarter and Jeremy Flores connected on field goals from 31, 20 and 22 yards in a defensive battle. The Wildcats held CU to just 283 yards but could only muster 196 against a stout Buff defense that recorded six sacks – two each by Brayton and Matt McChesney. Lewis and 11 tackles and Strickland 10 with KSU quarterbacks completing just 11-of-30 passes; Robinson and Marques Harris had interceptions and CU racked up nine PBU's.
Colorado 31, Texas A&M 21 (Oct. 13 in Boulder) – The most important defensive play of the season came with A&M driving for a possible winning score with just over a minute to play. Trailing the Buffs 24-21 and at the CU 35-yard line, Aggie quarterback Mark Farris was strip-sacked by Kory Mossoni with Joe Johnson scooping up the football and racing 52 yards for a clinching touchdown. Derek McCoy starred on offense with five receptions for 113 yards, a TD and a 2-point conversion, while Johnson led the defensive with eight tackles. Terrance Wood aided the defensive effort with two interceptions and Flores has another three field goal game, making good from 18, 51 and 39 yards.
Texas 41, Colorado 7 (Oct. 20 at Ausin) – Texas scored two touchdowns in the final 3:22 of the first half to break open a close game and CU never recovered. The Buffs had four turnovers leading to 10 UT points and one that ended with a fumble on the Longhorn 7.
Colorado 22, Oklahoma State 19 (Oct. 27 at Stillwater) – An Ochs to Matt Brunson touchdown that covered 74 yards gave CU an early 7-0 lead, but the Cowboys took a 16-7 lead at the half. OSU then drove 90 yards to the CU 6 but Tatum Bell was stopped for no gain twice with Sean Tufts and Joey Johnson making the key stops to hold the 'Pokes to a field goal. As time ran out in the third quarter, Marcus Houston scored on a 16-yard run, and down 19-14 with 7:21 remaining, Bobby Pesavento, subbing for an injured Ochs, connected with Graham on a 21-yard TD pass and then hit McCoy for the 2-point conversion that rallied CU to the win. Lewis had a season-high 16 tackles with an interception and a forced fumble to lead the defense, the pick coming at the CU 24 after OSU was driving late to retake the lead.
Colorado 38, Missouri 24 (Nov. 3 in Boulder) – After a scores first quarter, the Buffs spotted the Tigers a 14-0 lead before storming back with 17 points before halftime on touchdown passes from Pesavento to Brunson and Graham and 36-yard field goal by Flores. Mizzou never led again, as touchdown runs by Purify and Cortlen Johnson kept MU at bay until a 69-yard punt return by Roman Hollowell with 9:46 to play gave the Buffs a 14-point lead and the winning margin. Johnson had 102 yards on the ground and Purify 92, while Pesavento threw for 257 (on 17-of-22 tosses) with Graham catching six for 103 yards. Drew Wahlroos led the defense with 14 tackles, three third down stops, three hurries and a pass broken up.
Colorado 40, Iowa State 27 (Nov. 10 at Ames) – Cortlen Johnson made history becoming the first Buff (and only one to date) to have a 100/100 game (172 yards rushing, 105 receiving) with a touchdown each way as CU pulled away with 23 straight points to lead 30-14 midway in the third quarter. Purify and Cedric Cormier scored the other Buff TD's with Flores making a career-high four field goals (37, 48, 35, 35). Wahlroos had a team-high 10 tackles with Harris adding nine on a chilly, windy night in Iowa.
Colorado 62, Nebraska 36 (Nov. 23 in Boulder) – Brown and Purify combined for 352 yards rushing and seven touchdowns as CU sprinted to a 35-3 lead en route to scoring the most points ever at the time against the Huskers. Brown was a virtual battering ram, gaining 198 yards and scoring a school record six touchdowns, while Purify had 154 and one score, a second on a 78-yard run called back due to murky holding call. Pesavento threw for 202 yards and a TD, which was hauled in by Graham for 21 yards, one of his four receptions for 112 yards. Lewis had 11 tackles and an interception, with Tufts making 11 stops as well with Strickland adding nine with two forced fumbles. The Huskers came in with an 11-0 record, ranked No. 2 in both polls but were atop the BCS computer standings. Folsom was packed the day after Thanksgiving with 53,790 in the house, many rushing the field postgame. It was the first of four Big 12 North Division titles by the Buffs over a five-year span.
Colorado 39, Texas 27 (Big 12 Championship, Dec. 1 at Irving, Texas) – Neutral site for the title game, right? CU sold all 6,000 of its tickets but the Longhorns had the other 59,000-plus fans in Texas Stadium, all of whom would leave shocked and disappointed. No. 3 UT led 7-0 early, but the Buffs countered with a 29-7 spree, bolstered by a 73-yard interception runback by Aaron Killian to the Texas 12 to set-up a Brown TD and a Medford Moorer 64-yard pick-six for a score. Brown had 182 yards and another three touchdowns with Pesavento and Graham teaming for the other score. The Buffs held off a late Longhorn rally; after UT pulled to within 36-30, a drive that consumed over seven minutes led to a second Flores field goal pushing the lead to 39-30 with 1:58 left. Texas scored again with 31 seconds on the clock, but Graham caught its onside kick attempt to end its hopes for a second Big 12 crown. Lewis had 12 tackles (11 solo) and Robinson eight to pace the CU D.
Oregon 38, Colorado 16 (Fiesta Bowl, Jan. 1 at Tempe) – The Buffs struck first with a 1-yard TD run by Brandon Drumm, but the Ducks bounced back to lead 21-7 at the half and went on to score 38 unanswered points. UO kept the CU running game in check, allowing just 49 yards after the Buffs had 603 combined in the wins over Nebraska and Texas.
Team leaders: Brown (946 yards rushing, 16 touchdowns, 96 points), Pesavento (1,234 yards passing), Graham (51 receptions, 753 yards receiving), Lewis (112 tackles), Justin Bannan/J. Johnson (8 tackles for loss), Brayton (4½ quarterback sacks), Lewis (5 interceptions), Strickland (15 pass deflections), Mark Mariscal (44.5 punting average, 64 long), Roman Hollowell (20.5 kickoff return, 18.0 punt return averages) and Flores (18 field goals).
Honors: John Mackey Award: Graham. All-Americans: Graham, Andre Gurode, Hollowell (first-team); Lewis, Victor Rogers (third-team). All-Big-12: Bannan, Flores, Graham, Gurode, Hollowell, C. Johnson, Lewis (first-team); Wayne Lucier, Rogers (second-team); Brayton, Brown, Drumm, J. Johnson, Mariscal, Purify, Strickland, Sean Tufts, Drew Wahlroos (honorable mention). Team: Graham (MVP, John Mack Offensive); Lewis (Dave Jones Defensive); James Garee (Lee Willard Freshman); Lindsay Conley (Van Ek Academic); Gurode (Hang Tough); Hollowell (Bill McCartney Special Teams).
Head coach Gary Barnett's Buffaloes finished 10-3, won the Big 12 championship and finished the season as the No. 9 team nation in both the Associated Press and coaches polls. Over the course of the season the program bonded with several members of a New York City fire department (FDNY Engine 1, Ladder Company 24) in supporting it after the September 11 terrorist attacks (15 of its first responders were in attendance for the Nebraska game).
Colorado made a charge at the end of the year, steamrolling BCS No. 1 Nebraska and topping Texas for the Big 12 title. The BCS computer rankings determined the top two teams that would square off in the Rose Bowl for the national championship: Miami was an undisputed No. 1 and Nebraska, despite being humiliated by CU (in which they have yet to recover from in earnest 25 years later), edged CU for the No. 2 slot by .05 of a point.
Five seniors were selected in the 2002 NFL Draft: Daniel Graham (first round, 21st overall by New England), Andre Gurode (second by Dallas), Michael Lewis (second by Philadelphia), Justin Bannan (fifth by Buffalo) and Victor Rogers (seventh by Detroit); seven other Buffs on the '01 team were selected in later drafts in 2003 and 2004.
A game-by-game look back at the '01 season:
Fresno State 24, Colorado 22 (Jim Thorpe Classic, Aug. 26 in Boulder) – Five CU turnovers led to 17 Bulldog points, including two first quarter touchdowns in falling behind 14-0. The Buffs, who out gained Fresno 412-287 (with Craig Ochs throwing for 346 of those yards), rallied but never got closer than the final score. It was the first Sunday game at Folsom Field since 1896.
Colorado 41, Colorado State 14 (Sept. 1 in Denver) – Donald Strickland returned an interception 31 yards for a touchdown just 56 seconds into the game and the Buffaloes never looked back in snapping a two-game losing streak to their neighbors from the north. Michael Lewis added another pick-six for the Buffs in the third quarter for a 24-7 lead as CU intercepted Ram quarterbacks four times on the night. Bobby Purify ran for 191 yards and a TD with Chris Brown gaining 121 with two scores—neither were stopped for a loss out of the 42 attempts between them.
Colorado 51, San Jose State 15 (Sept. 8 in Boulder) – Brown scored twice and Purify once as CU zoomed ahead 21-0 in the first quarter in making quick work of the Spartans. The Buffs amassed 560 yards with a balanced attack (263 rushing, 297 passing), with tight end Daniel Graham hauling in eight catches for 133 yards. Robbie Robinson led the defense with 13 tackles and two pass deflections.
Colorado vs. Washington State 15 (Sept. 15 at Pullman) – Game was canceled due to the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington D.C. No make-up date later in the season worked for either team. It was finally rescheduled in 2004 -- and played in Seattle -- CU won, 20-12.
Colorado 27, Kansas 16 (Sept. 22 in Boulder) – The Jayhawks took a 16-13 lead with a field goal two plays into the fourth quarter, but CU went ahead for good on a 17-yard TD pass from Ochs to Graham on the next series. A 40-yard run by Brown for a score after a short KU punt added some insurance against a stubborn Jayhawk team as the nation returned to a bit of normalcy after the attacks on the east coast. Lewis had 12 tackles and Strickland 10, with Tyler Brayton adding nine with two quarterback sacks as the Buffs rolled up 524 yards on offense to KU's 278..
Colorado 16, Kansas State 6 (Oct. 6 at Manhattan) – Ochs and Graham hooked up on a 21-yard pass for a TD in the first quarter and Jeremy Flores connected on field goals from 31, 20 and 22 yards in a defensive battle. The Wildcats held CU to just 283 yards but could only muster 196 against a stout Buff defense that recorded six sacks – two each by Brayton and Matt McChesney. Lewis and 11 tackles and Strickland 10 with KSU quarterbacks completing just 11-of-30 passes; Robinson and Marques Harris had interceptions and CU racked up nine PBU's.
Colorado 31, Texas A&M 21 (Oct. 13 in Boulder) – The most important defensive play of the season came with A&M driving for a possible winning score with just over a minute to play. Trailing the Buffs 24-21 and at the CU 35-yard line, Aggie quarterback Mark Farris was strip-sacked by Kory Mossoni with Joe Johnson scooping up the football and racing 52 yards for a clinching touchdown. Derek McCoy starred on offense with five receptions for 113 yards, a TD and a 2-point conversion, while Johnson led the defensive with eight tackles. Terrance Wood aided the defensive effort with two interceptions and Flores has another three field goal game, making good from 18, 51 and 39 yards.
Texas 41, Colorado 7 (Oct. 20 at Ausin) – Texas scored two touchdowns in the final 3:22 of the first half to break open a close game and CU never recovered. The Buffs had four turnovers leading to 10 UT points and one that ended with a fumble on the Longhorn 7.
Colorado 22, Oklahoma State 19 (Oct. 27 at Stillwater) – An Ochs to Matt Brunson touchdown that covered 74 yards gave CU an early 7-0 lead, but the Cowboys took a 16-7 lead at the half. OSU then drove 90 yards to the CU 6 but Tatum Bell was stopped for no gain twice with Sean Tufts and Joey Johnson making the key stops to hold the 'Pokes to a field goal. As time ran out in the third quarter, Marcus Houston scored on a 16-yard run, and down 19-14 with 7:21 remaining, Bobby Pesavento, subbing for an injured Ochs, connected with Graham on a 21-yard TD pass and then hit McCoy for the 2-point conversion that rallied CU to the win. Lewis had a season-high 16 tackles with an interception and a forced fumble to lead the defense, the pick coming at the CU 24 after OSU was driving late to retake the lead.
Colorado 38, Missouri 24 (Nov. 3 in Boulder) – After a scores first quarter, the Buffs spotted the Tigers a 14-0 lead before storming back with 17 points before halftime on touchdown passes from Pesavento to Brunson and Graham and 36-yard field goal by Flores. Mizzou never led again, as touchdown runs by Purify and Cortlen Johnson kept MU at bay until a 69-yard punt return by Roman Hollowell with 9:46 to play gave the Buffs a 14-point lead and the winning margin. Johnson had 102 yards on the ground and Purify 92, while Pesavento threw for 257 (on 17-of-22 tosses) with Graham catching six for 103 yards. Drew Wahlroos led the defense with 14 tackles, three third down stops, three hurries and a pass broken up.
Colorado 40, Iowa State 27 (Nov. 10 at Ames) – Cortlen Johnson made history becoming the first Buff (and only one to date) to have a 100/100 game (172 yards rushing, 105 receiving) with a touchdown each way as CU pulled away with 23 straight points to lead 30-14 midway in the third quarter. Purify and Cedric Cormier scored the other Buff TD's with Flores making a career-high four field goals (37, 48, 35, 35). Wahlroos had a team-high 10 tackles with Harris adding nine on a chilly, windy night in Iowa.
Colorado 62, Nebraska 36 (Nov. 23 in Boulder) – Brown and Purify combined for 352 yards rushing and seven touchdowns as CU sprinted to a 35-3 lead en route to scoring the most points ever at the time against the Huskers. Brown was a virtual battering ram, gaining 198 yards and scoring a school record six touchdowns, while Purify had 154 and one score, a second on a 78-yard run called back due to murky holding call. Pesavento threw for 202 yards and a TD, which was hauled in by Graham for 21 yards, one of his four receptions for 112 yards. Lewis had 11 tackles and an interception, with Tufts making 11 stops as well with Strickland adding nine with two forced fumbles. The Huskers came in with an 11-0 record, ranked No. 2 in both polls but were atop the BCS computer standings. Folsom was packed the day after Thanksgiving with 53,790 in the house, many rushing the field postgame. It was the first of four Big 12 North Division titles by the Buffs over a five-year span.
Colorado 39, Texas 27 (Big 12 Championship, Dec. 1 at Irving, Texas) – Neutral site for the title game, right? CU sold all 6,000 of its tickets but the Longhorns had the other 59,000-plus fans in Texas Stadium, all of whom would leave shocked and disappointed. No. 3 UT led 7-0 early, but the Buffs countered with a 29-7 spree, bolstered by a 73-yard interception runback by Aaron Killian to the Texas 12 to set-up a Brown TD and a Medford Moorer 64-yard pick-six for a score. Brown had 182 yards and another three touchdowns with Pesavento and Graham teaming for the other score. The Buffs held off a late Longhorn rally; after UT pulled to within 36-30, a drive that consumed over seven minutes led to a second Flores field goal pushing the lead to 39-30 with 1:58 left. Texas scored again with 31 seconds on the clock, but Graham caught its onside kick attempt to end its hopes for a second Big 12 crown. Lewis had 12 tackles (11 solo) and Robinson eight to pace the CU D.
Oregon 38, Colorado 16 (Fiesta Bowl, Jan. 1 at Tempe) – The Buffs struck first with a 1-yard TD run by Brandon Drumm, but the Ducks bounced back to lead 21-7 at the half and went on to score 38 unanswered points. UO kept the CU running game in check, allowing just 49 yards after the Buffs had 603 combined in the wins over Nebraska and Texas.
Team leaders: Brown (946 yards rushing, 16 touchdowns, 96 points), Pesavento (1,234 yards passing), Graham (51 receptions, 753 yards receiving), Lewis (112 tackles), Justin Bannan/J. Johnson (8 tackles for loss), Brayton (4½ quarterback sacks), Lewis (5 interceptions), Strickland (15 pass deflections), Mark Mariscal (44.5 punting average, 64 long), Roman Hollowell (20.5 kickoff return, 18.0 punt return averages) and Flores (18 field goals).
Honors: John Mackey Award: Graham. All-Americans: Graham, Andre Gurode, Hollowell (first-team); Lewis, Victor Rogers (third-team). All-Big-12: Bannan, Flores, Graham, Gurode, Hollowell, C. Johnson, Lewis (first-team); Wayne Lucier, Rogers (second-team); Brayton, Brown, Drumm, J. Johnson, Mariscal, Purify, Strickland, Sean Tufts, Drew Wahlroos (honorable mention). Team: Graham (MVP, John Mack Offensive); Lewis (Dave Jones Defensive); James Garee (Lee Willard Freshman); Lindsay Conley (Van Ek Academic); Gurode (Hang Tough); Hollowell (Bill McCartney Special Teams).
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