The Denver Post - Two games, many memories Page 1 of 4 buffaloes' bowl history ' " Anderson recalled recently after an afternoon of soaking in the sunshine at his Two games, many southern California home. memories "Wow. Alabama again?" thought Hagan, CU' s running backs coach. By Tom Kensler It's been awhile, but memories of the two The Denver Post previous bowl meetings between the two schools Article Last Updated: 12/28/2007 12:55:18 AM MST remain fresh. Anderson, a tailback completing his college career with an All-American season, rushed for 254 yards and three touchdowns during Colorado's 47-33 victory in the 1969 Liberty Bowl in Memphis. Anderson's Liberty Bowl records for rushing yardage, touchdowns and carries (35) still stand. And get this: Anderson had a 50-yard gain nullified by a penalty. Fullback Ward Walsh, who was not directly involved in Anderson's run, had flinched slightly before the snap. CU running back Bobby Anderson had "Our offensive line had a great game blocking quite the day against Alabama in the and the ball came my way most of the day," 1969 Liberty Bowl. His 254 yards on 35 Anderson said. carries and three touchdowns all remain as records for that bowl. (Associated Press file photo ) Wearing his trademark houndstooth hat, legendary Alabama coach Bear Bryant visited the Almost 1,000 miles apart, former Colorado stars CU locker room after the game to offer his Bobby Anderson and Darian Hagan reacted in a congratulations. "He shook my hand and said, similar fashion after learning that Alabama 'Son, you just made yourself a bunch of would be the Buffaloes' opponent in money today,' " recalled Anderson, who Sunday's Independence Bowl. played six seasons in the NFL. "I said, 'Hmmm. That's interesting, "(CU players) played the best they ever had," Advertisement http://www.denverpost.com/cu/ci_7824412 12/28/2007 The Denver Post - Two games, many memories Page 2 of 4 coach Eddie Crowder said of the 1969 Liberty a share of the 1990 national championship. Bowl. "It was as satisfying a game and victory as Charles S. Johnson, forced to take over at any of us had during my career. On offense and quarterback when starter Darian Hagan injured a defense, our men bristled with electricity." Hagan, a dual-threat quarterback, struggled in his finale as a Buffs player. He completed just 11-of-30 passes (for 210 yards) and netted only 12 yards on 14 rushes in Alabama's 30-25 victory in the 1991 Blockbuster Bowl at Miami. During the month between the conclusion of the regular season and the bowl game, Colorado coach Bill McCartney had switched from an option offense to a one-back, pass-oriented attack. But during the game, Alabama's defense appeared to anticipate every move. A friend of Hagan, who played for the Crimson Tide, later told the former Buffs star that Alabama had a spy watch CU's bowl practices in Miami. A freeway overlooked the practice field. "We'd never shown a one-back formation all year," Hagan explained. "And on our first play, when we broke out of the huddle, Alabama had a Byron "Whizzer" White carries the ball defensive back waiting for each of our receivers. in the 1938 Cotton Bowl against Rice. Their guys didn't even hesitate or look The Buffs lost 28-14. (Denver Post file surprised. That couldn't have been a photo ) coincidence." knee just before halftime, directed a go-ahead drive that All-America tailback Eric Bieniemy National championship completed on a 1-yard run with 4:26 remaining in the third quarter. CU still had to withstand a A 10-9 final score did not reflect all the couple of late scares. excitement in the 1991 Orange Bowl, a Colorado victory over Notre Dame that gave the Buffaloes An apparent 91-yard punt return by Notre Advertisement http://www.denverpost.com/cu/ci_7824412 12/28/2007 The Denver Post - Two games, many memories Page 3 of 4 Dame's Raghib "Rocket" Ismail was called Dave Logan, the current Mullen High School back because of a clipping penalty. Later, the coach and Broncos' play-by-play announcer, Irish began a drive to get in position for a played nine years in the NFL, primarily as a winning field goal, but All-America cornerback receiver with the Cleveland Browns. Tight end Deon Figures intercepted a Rick Mirer pass at the Don Hasselbeck also played nine NFL seasons, CU 36 in what turned out to be the game's mostly with the Patriots, and later watched two final play. sons become NFL quarterbacks after starring at Boston College. Colorado (11-1-1) earned the national championship in the writers' poll; Georgia Frequent target Tech (11-0-1) got the nod from the coaches. Current Broncos tight end Daniel Graham set a "It was great to see Charles come in and have CU bowl record with 10 catches (for 89 yards and success," Hagan recalled recently. "The only thing a touchdown) in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl, a 38-16 I was disappointed in was that I was on crutches loss to Oregon. and couldn't join the guys jumping around and celebrating on the 50-yard line." Most recent Almost Directed by interim coach Mike Hankwitz and missing regular quarterback Joel Klatt Colorado came close to winning back-to-back (concussion in the Big 12 championship game national championships. The Buffaloes stood 11- against Texas), Colorado managed just 124 yards 0 and were ranked No. 1 when they faced Notre in total offense in the 19-10 loss to Clemson in Dame in the 1990 Orange Bowl, following the the 2005 Champs Sports Bowl. Gary Barnett had 1989 season. But after a scoreless first half, been forced to step down as Colorado coach 19 Notre Dame scored three times to win 21-6. CU days earlier by first-year CU athletic director never led. CU quarterback Darian Hagan had a Mike Bohn. "Bowl games are fun, but I know from tough day, managing just 65 yards passing. experience they're way more fun when you win," said Buffs senior tailback Hugh Charles, The tyler rose who also played as a true freshman in CU's 33-28 win over UTEP in the 2004 Houston Bowl. A 21-7 halftime lead wasn't enough for Colorado in the 1975 Bluebonnet Bowl. Texas Good things come in threes bruiser Earl Campbell led a second-half charge, finishing with 95 yards on 19 carries in a 38-21 With the Independence Bowl, Alabama will join Longhorns victory. Two notable players caught Notre Dame and Oregon as having been second-quarter touchdown passes for CU. Colorado's bowl opponent on three Advertisement http://www.denverpost.com/cu/ci_7824412 12/28/2007 The Denver Post - Two games, many memories Page 4 of 4 occasions. No school has played CU in four bowls. McCartney's swan song Bill McCartney got a ride off the field on the shoulders of his players following his final appearance as CU coach in the 1995 Fiesta Bowl, a 41-24 win over Notre Dame. McCartney had announced his retirement following the regular- season finale. "It was huge to send Coach Mac off like that," said Donnell Leomiti, a junior safety in that game and current defensive technical intern under Dan Hawkins. "It was definitely a special time to see him go out with a bang." Advertisement http://www.denverpost.com/cu/ci_7824412 12/28/2007 The Denver Post - 'Bama receiver ready for CU corner Page 1 of 2 colorado notes couldn't hurt, anyway. "If I know a guy is one of the best secondary 'Bama receiver ready players in the country, of course I'm going for CU corner to get an adrenalin rush; I want to go against the best always," said Hall, a Floridian whose full name is Martinez D. Hall. By Tom Kensler The Denver Post Wheatley has compared Hall with the best Article Last Updated: 12/28/2007 01:01:26 AM MST receivers he has faced. That includes first-team All-Americans Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech and Jordy Nelson of Kansas State. "He's good," Wheatley said of Hall. SHREVEPORT, La. — Never one to be bashful, "He's athletic and he knows how to use his Alabama wide receiver DJ Hall stopped just short size. You can't make a mistake against a Thursday of issuing a personal challenge to guy like that." Colorado cornerback Terrence Wheatley. Hall said the play of Wheatley caught his attention Hall said watching film of Crabtree and Nelson during game-film study. work against Wheatley has given him some ideas. "If they've got one of the best cornerbacks in the nation, we're going to see what "I'm not going to say it (to the media), but I he's got," a grinning Hall told reporters. got a few little hints that I'm going to be watching for," Hall said. Wheatley, a 5-foot-10, 175-pounder with sprinter's speed, earned first-team all-Big Top form? 12 Conference honors by the league's coaches. Hall (6-2, 195) caught 63 passes for 947 Following a two- hour workout Thursday, several yards and six touchdowns this season. He made Alabama players said Independence Bowl the all-Southeastern Conference second team practices have ranked among the best of the and holds several Alabama career receiving year. The Crimson Tide (6-6, 4-4 SEC) finished records. the regular season with four losses and haven't won since a 41-17 upset of Both are seniors who realize that winning their Tennessee on Oct.