What Is 1939 Colorado Buffaloes football team

Overview

The 1939 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado during the 1939 college football season. Competing in the Big Six Conference, the team was led by head coach Bunny Oakes in his third year at the helm, striving for consistency amid a challenging schedule.

Playing their home games at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado, the Buffaloes finished the season with a balanced 5–5–1 overall record and a 3–2 mark in conference play. Despite not securing a conference title or bowl invitation, the team showed resilience and moderate improvement under Oakes’ leadership.

• Record: The Buffaloes posted a 5–5–1 overall record, reflecting a season of near parity between wins and losses, with one tie game.
• Conference performance: They achieved a 3–2 record in the Big Six Conference, placing them in the upper half of the league standings.
• Scoring: The team scored 132 total points across 11 games, averaging just over 12 points per game.
• Defense: Colorado allowed 101 points on defense, showcasing a relatively tight defensive unit compared to offensive output.
• Venue: All home games were held at Folsom Field, which had been their home stadium since 1924 and seated approximately 26,000 at the time.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 1939 season featured a mix of wins, losses, and a single tie, with notable performances against conference rivals and regional opponents. Colorado opened the season with a strong showing but faced inconsistency as the year progressed.

• Season opener: The Buffaloes defeated Colorado College 20–0 in their first game, setting a positive tone with a shutout victory.
• Conference win: A 19–0 win over Kansas highlighted their defensive strength and was a key factor in their 3–2 conference record.
• Tie game: Colorado played to a 7–7 draw with Utah, a result that prevented a winning record but preserved a competitive edge.
• Road challenges: The team struggled away from Folsom Field, going 2–4 on the road, including losses to Nebraska and Missouri.
• Season finale: They closed with a 13–7 win over Colorado State, reclaiming the Rocky Mountain Showdown rivalry trophy.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1939 Colorado Buffaloes compare to adjacent seasons in terms of record, conference standing, and scoring:

The 1939 season served as a transitional year, showing improvement from 1938 but not yet reaching the success of 1940 and 1941. The team’s offensive output increased notably, and their defense remained competitive, setting the foundation for future success under Oakes’ guidance.

Why It Matters

The 1939 Colorado Buffaloes football season is a snapshot of mid-century college football during a formative era for the program. While not a championship year, it contributed to the long-term development of the team’s identity and competitive standards.

• Program trajectory: The 1939 season marked a step toward stability after a losing 1938 campaign, helping build momentum for future success.
• Coaching legacy: Head coach Bunny Oakes used this season to refine strategies that would lead to stronger records in subsequent years.
• Historical context: Played just before World War II, the season reflects pre-war college athletics with limited travel and regional scheduling.
• Rivalry continuity: The win over Colorado State maintained the Rocky Mountain Showdown, one of college football’s oldest rivalries.
• Stadium legacy: Games at Folsom Field reinforced the importance of home-field advantage in Boulder’s football culture.
• Statistical baseline: The team’s 5–5–1 record provides a benchmark for evaluating future improvements in the program’s performance.

The 1939 season may not stand out in Colorado football history for trophies or accolades, but it played a quiet yet important role in the evolution of the Buffaloes as a competitive force in collegiate athletics.