Folsom's Greatest Games #17 - Colorado vs. Kansas State 2002

October 5, 2002 – Colorado 35, #13 Kansas State 31

This was one of the most entertaining afternoons in Folsom’s history. CU entered 2-2 after a disastrous 1-2 start that had seen them plummet from the polls after a #7 preseason ranking. However, the Buffs were fresh off an impressive road win over #20 UCLA that had turned the tide of their season. The Wildcats were undefeated.

With Brent Musburger giving his characteristically bombastic blow-by-blow for the national ABC audience, the teams traded haymakers all afternoon. CU’s Chris Brown and KSU’s Darren Sproles each had touchdown runs of over 80 yards. Buff quarterback Robert Hodge connected on touchdown passes of 71 and 94 yards. The latter, with mogul skiing sensation Jeremy Bloom doing most of the work, was the longest pass play in CU history at the time and had Musburger exclaiming “How’s that for a downhill?!”   

The Buffs led 35-14 in the third quarter but found themselves clinging to a 35-28 lead in the fourth with the Wildcats knocking on the door of Folsom’s south end zone. In a game famous for its offense, CU DB Donald Strickland delivered the knockout blow with a ferocious fourth-down hit on Sproles that ended the threat. 

While this was the conference opener for each squad, it would prove to be the decisive game in the 2002 Big 12 North season. Both teams went 6-1 the rest of the way, and CU claimed the title. Had this matchup taken place at the end of the conference schedule rather than the beginning, it would likely be in the top ten on this list.

Links:
YouTube video of the full game
CU at the Game recap