The date is September twenty fourth, 1994. The College of Colorado rolls into the Huge Home to tackle the Michigan Wolverines. Each groups are ranked within the prime 10, with CU the quantity seven group within the nation, and Michigan holding down the quantity 4 spot. The sport is nationally televised on ABC, and being known as by well-known play-by-play man Keith Jackson. The sport has the makings of being a real “barn burner.”

Colorado opens up the scoring on their first drive of the sport, scoring a landing on a two-yard plunge by soon-to-be Heisman Trophy winner, Rashaan Salaam. The Wolverines are in a position to capitalize on a Salaam fumble to drag inside 7-3, however the Buffaloes march down the sphere once more and Kordell Stewart hits Michael Westbrook on a 21-yard strike to make it 14-3 Buffs within the second quarter. From right here, the Buffaloes would go silent.

Over the subsequent two quarters, Michigan would rating the subsequent 23 factors. CU has misplaced all of its early momentum and is sputtering on offense. Over Colorado’s subsequent seven drives after the Westbrook landing, two finish in turnovers with the remainder ending in punts. This additionally features a fumbled kickoff after a Michigan rating which ends up in back-to-back scoring drives for the Wolverines. Hope appears to be fading within the fourth after Stewart fumbles the ball into the top zone with 5 minutes remaining and CU down 12 factors, 26-14.

The Buffs’ protection is ready to maintain sturdy and pressure a punt after a 3-and-out. Stewart marches Colorado down the sphere and Salaam punches in a 1-yard landing run to carry the Buffs to inside 5, 26-21. Colorado just isn’t in a position to convert an onside kick however the protection once more stands tall and forces one other Michigan punt with 21 seconds remaining.  Buffs take over at their very own 15-yard line. Stewart is ready to join with Westbrook on a 21-yard move play, the clock stops on a primary down, the offense is ready to get lined up and so they spike the ball to protect six seconds on the clock. CU doesn’t huddle up as there’s actually just one play name remaining and Bob Griese sums it up completely: “I believe he simply went over and simply mentioned throw it up.”

Colorado traces up with three extensive receivers to the highest and Stewart takes the snap. He will get pressured early by future NFL star Trevor Pryce and has to roll to his left. Stewart is ready to get some respiration room on the 25-yard line, time winding down, he units his ft and…

If you want to look at the entire recreation:

ESPN did an amazing oral historical past of this recreation on the 20-year anniversary.