James Mayberry scored four touchdowns in Colorado's 1978 win over Northwestern
48 Years Ago, CU Got Its “Revenge” Against Northwestern
September 18, 2026 | Football
Colorado and Northwestern "resume" their series Saturday in Evanston, where they first met in 1951. It was a one-game standalone on the schedule, as was their last meeting in 1978 in Boulder.
You could say Saturday is the rubber game in the series, though the two will play again at Folsom Field next September 11 in Boulder; this time the two agreed to a home-and-home series back in 2017.
Harry Truman was the president in 1951, the number one song was "Too Young" by Nat King Cole, and the top movie was All About Eve. Not a lot of TV back then, Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts would rate as the top show, holding off I Love Lucy that debuted in October.
The first meeting saw the Wildcats pull away for a 35-14 win their season opener but game two for the Buffaloes (CU defeated Colorado A&M, 28-13, a week earlier). Looking at the final stats, one would have thought Colorado had won.
CU ran 88 plays to just 57 for the Wildcats, and outgained them, 359-334. NU led 14-0 at the half and upped its lead to 21-0 to open the third quarter before CU countered with its first 99-yard scoring drive in school history. Backed up at its 1-yard line, Zack Jordan and Ronnie Johnson hooked up on a 77-yard pass play, Johnson hauling the ball in at the CU 40 and racing another 38 yards to the NU 22. Five plays later, Woody Shelton scored from nine yards out.
The Wildcats responded with a TD at the end of the quarter; Jordan threw a scoring pass to Shelton from the 8-yard line to cut the lead to 28-14, but CU could get no closer and NU added a late touchdown to account for the final score.
Fast-forward to 1978. Jimmy Carter is president, the number one movie was Grease, Andy Gibb's "Shadow Dancing" ruled the music charts, and the top TV program was Laverne & Shirley.
Colorado opened with a 3-0 record and ranked 19th in the nation, allowing only a single touchdown in each of the wins over Oregon (24-7), Miami-Fla. (17-7) and San Jose State (17-7). But the Buffaloes had yet to get their vaunted running game going. That all changed when Northwestern stopped by for a visit on September 30.
The first quarter was scoreless; quarterback Bill Solomon lit the scoreboard up first with a 38-yard sprint up the middle before veering to the left for a touchdown with 10:06 left in the half. The Wildcats (0-3) were intent on hanging in there, despite scoring just 10 points on the season; they tied the score on a 14-play, 81-yard drive with 3:29 remaining. Solomon scored from a yard out to cap an 80-yard drive that put CU up, 14-7, with 10 ticks on the clock before halftime.
It could have and should have been worse … two lost fumbles inside the NU 20, including one at the 1-yard line, cost the Buffs 14 points. However, it would get worse for the Wildcats thanks to tailback James Mayberry. In a span of 10 minutes and 26 seconds in the third quarter, the Buff senior scored on runs of 2, 1, 1, and 2 yards on possessions that covered 68, 24, 1, and 60 yards respectively – the two short drives saw the Buffs capitalize on two Wildcat turnovers. The quarter ended with CU ahead, 41-7.
Late touchdowns by Charles Davis and Willie Beebe ballooned the final score to 55-7. The defense shined all game, allowing just 189 yards – and only 42 in the second half – with Laval Short in on 11 tackles and Jeff Lee on 10. The stout Buff "D" forced nine Northwestern punts, seven returned by Mike E. Davis for 70 yards.
When all was said and done, at the time, CU had its third most first downs (32) and rushing yards (483) in its history, along with its seventh-most points (55). Solomon finished with 134 yards on 16 carries, while Mayberry gained 124 on 28 attempts.
You could say Saturday is the rubber game in the series, though the two will play again at Folsom Field next September 11 in Boulder; this time the two agreed to a home-and-home series back in 2017.
Harry Truman was the president in 1951, the number one song was "Too Young" by Nat King Cole, and the top movie was All About Eve. Not a lot of TV back then, Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts would rate as the top show, holding off I Love Lucy that debuted in October.
The first meeting saw the Wildcats pull away for a 35-14 win their season opener but game two for the Buffaloes (CU defeated Colorado A&M, 28-13, a week earlier). Looking at the final stats, one would have thought Colorado had won.
CU ran 88 plays to just 57 for the Wildcats, and outgained them, 359-334. NU led 14-0 at the half and upped its lead to 21-0 to open the third quarter before CU countered with its first 99-yard scoring drive in school history. Backed up at its 1-yard line, Zack Jordan and Ronnie Johnson hooked up on a 77-yard pass play, Johnson hauling the ball in at the CU 40 and racing another 38 yards to the NU 22. Five plays later, Woody Shelton scored from nine yards out.
The Wildcats responded with a TD at the end of the quarter; Jordan threw a scoring pass to Shelton from the 8-yard line to cut the lead to 28-14, but CU could get no closer and NU added a late touchdown to account for the final score.
Fast-forward to 1978. Jimmy Carter is president, the number one movie was Grease, Andy Gibb's "Shadow Dancing" ruled the music charts, and the top TV program was Laverne & Shirley.
Colorado opened with a 3-0 record and ranked 19th in the nation, allowing only a single touchdown in each of the wins over Oregon (24-7), Miami-Fla. (17-7) and San Jose State (17-7). But the Buffaloes had yet to get their vaunted running game going. That all changed when Northwestern stopped by for a visit on September 30.
The first quarter was scoreless; quarterback Bill Solomon lit the scoreboard up first with a 38-yard sprint up the middle before veering to the left for a touchdown with 10:06 left in the half. The Wildcats (0-3) were intent on hanging in there, despite scoring just 10 points on the season; they tied the score on a 14-play, 81-yard drive with 3:29 remaining. Solomon scored from a yard out to cap an 80-yard drive that put CU up, 14-7, with 10 ticks on the clock before halftime.
It could have and should have been worse … two lost fumbles inside the NU 20, including one at the 1-yard line, cost the Buffs 14 points. However, it would get worse for the Wildcats thanks to tailback James Mayberry. In a span of 10 minutes and 26 seconds in the third quarter, the Buff senior scored on runs of 2, 1, 1, and 2 yards on possessions that covered 68, 24, 1, and 60 yards respectively – the two short drives saw the Buffs capitalize on two Wildcat turnovers. The quarter ended with CU ahead, 41-7.
Late touchdowns by Charles Davis and Willie Beebe ballooned the final score to 55-7. The defense shined all game, allowing just 189 yards – and only 42 in the second half – with Laval Short in on 11 tackles and Jeff Lee on 10. The stout Buff "D" forced nine Northwestern punts, seven returned by Mike E. Davis for 70 yards.
When all was said and done, at the time, CU had its third most first downs (32) and rushing yards (483) in its history, along with its seventh-most points (55). Solomon finished with 134 yards on 16 carries, while Mayberry gained 124 on 28 attempts.
Thursday, September 17
Monday, September 14
Monday, September 14
Monday, September 14
