What Is 1970 Colorado Buffaloes football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1970 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado in the 1970 NCAA University Division season, finishing with a 6–5 record under head coach Eddie Crowder. They competed in the Big Eight Conference and played their home games at Folsom Field in Boulder.

Key Facts

1970 Colorado Buffaloes finished with a 6–5 overall record
Team was coached by Eddie Crowder in his first season
Played in the Big Eight Conference with a 3–4 conference record
Home games were held at Folsom Field in Boulder
Quarterback Don Hasselbeck was a key offensive player

Overview

The 1970 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado during the 1970 NCAA University Division football season. Led by first-year head coach Eddie Crowder, the team competed in the Big Eight Conference and played its home games at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado.

The Buffaloes posted a modest 6–5 overall record, marking a slight improvement from previous seasons. Despite not qualifying for a bowl game, the team showed signs of rebuilding under new leadership and developed several key players who contributed to future seasons.

First season under head coach Eddie Crowder: Crowder took over after the departure of Don Rogers and brought a renewed focus on defense and discipline, shaping the team’s identity in 1970.
Finished with a 6–5 overall record: The Buffaloes won six games and lost five, a slight improvement from the previous year’s 6–4 mark, though they did not qualify for postseason play.
Big Eight Conference record of 3–4: Colorado competed in a tough conference that included powerhouses like Nebraska and Oklahoma, winning three conference matchups during the season.
Played home games at Folsom Field: The historic stadium, opened in 1924, provided a high-altitude advantage and hosted all of Colorado’s home games with a capacity of over 50,000.
Quarterback Don Hasselbeck led the offense: Though not as well-known as his later NFL relatives, Hasselbeck directed the Buffaloes’ attack and was a consistent presence under center.

Season Performance

The 1970 season featured a mix of competitive wins and tough losses, reflecting Colorado’s transitional phase. The team opened the season with a win over Colorado State but struggled against top-tier conference opponents.

September 12, 1970 – Defeated Colorado State 24–10: The season opener was a strong showing, with the Buffaloes dominating their in-state rivals in front of a packed Folsom Field.
October 3, 1970 – Lost to Kansas 14–10: A narrow defeat highlighted offensive inconsistencies, as Colorado failed to convert key red-zone opportunities.
October 17, 1970 – Beat Iowa State 24–7: The defense shined in this game, forcing three turnovers and holding the Cyclones to under 200 total yards.
November 7, 1970 – Lost to Nebraska 31–7: The Cornhuskers, ranked in the top 10, proved too powerful, exposing gaps in Colorado’s defensive line and secondary.
November 21, 1970 – Defeated Kansas State 20–14: A hard-fought victory kept Colorado’s winning momentum alive heading into the season finale.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1970 season can be better understood by comparing it to the previous and following years in terms of records, coaching, and conference performance.

Season	Head Coach	Overall Record	Conference Record	Bowl Game
1968	Don Rogers	7–4	4–3	Lost Liberty Bowl
1969	Don Rogers	6–4	4–3	No bowl
1970	Eddie Crowder	6–5	3–4	No bowl
1971	Eddie Crowder	7–4	4–3	No bowl
1972	Eddie Crowder	4–7	2–5	No bowl

The table shows that while the 1970 team didn’t achieve bowl eligibility, it laid groundwork for a 7–4 season in 1971. Coaching continuity under Crowder helped stabilize the program despite fluctuating results.

Why It Matters

The 1970 Colorado Buffaloes season is a snapshot of a program in transition, marking the beginning of the Eddie Crowder era. Though not statistically dominant, the year contributed to long-term rebuilding efforts and player development.

Introduced Eddie Crowder’s coaching philosophy: Emphasized discipline, defensive toughness, and player accountability, setting a new tone for the football program.
Helped develop future team leaders: Several underclassmen gained starting experience in 1970, forming the core of the 1971 squad.
Highlighted the challenges of the Big Eight: Competing against Nebraska and Oklahoma underscored the gap between Colorado and national contenders.
Maintained fan engagement despite losing record: Attendance at Folsom Field remained strong, reflecting enduring local support for the team.
Set the stage for modest improvement: The 1971 team improved to 7–4, showing the impact of Crowder’s first year of implementation.
Part of Colorado’s pre-1980s football history: Preceded the program’s rise in the 1980s and 1990s, serving as a developmental chapter in school history.

While not a standout season in terms of wins, the 1970 Colorado Buffaloes played a role in shaping the trajectory of the football program during a pivotal coaching transition.