What Is 2019 Colorado Buffaloes football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado Boulder in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with an overall record of 3–9 and a 1–8 mark in Pac-12 Conference play. Head coach Mel Tucker led the team through most of the season before departing for Mississippi State in November.

Key Facts

The 2019 Colorado Buffaloes finished with a 3–9 overall record.
They went 1–8 in Pac-12 Conference play, placing last in the South Division.
Head coach Mel Tucker left in November 2019 to become head coach at Mississippi State.
Defensive end Isaiah Wynn was named First-Team All-Pac-12 in 2019.
The team played home games at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado.

Overview

The 2019 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado Boulder during the 2019 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) season. Competing in the Pac-12 Conference, the Buffaloes struggled to maintain consistency under head coach Mel Tucker, who departed mid-season for Mississippi State.

Despite high expectations following a promising 2018 campaign, the team failed to replicate prior success, finishing with a 3–9 overall record and a 1–8 mark in conference play. The season highlighted issues on both offense and defense, contributing to a last-place finish in the Pac-12 South Division.

Folsom Field: The team played all home games at Folsom Field, a historic 50,183-seat stadium located in Boulder, Colorado, which has been their home since 1924.
Season Record: The Buffaloes ended the 2019 season with a 3–9 overall record, marking one of the program’s most disappointing performances in recent years.
Pac-12 Performance: Colorado went 1–8 in Pac-12 play, with their only conference win coming against Arizona, a 35–30 victory in October.
Head Coaching Change: Mel Tucker served as head coach for the first 11 games before leaving abruptly in November to accept the head coaching position at Mississippi State.
Interim Leadership: Offensive coordinator Mike Sanford Jr. took over as interim head coach for the final game, a 52–7 loss to Utah in the regular-season finale.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 2019 campaign was marked by defensive lapses and inconsistent quarterback play, undermining the team’s ability to compete in key matchups. Several games saw promising starts followed by second-half collapses, reflecting deeper organizational and strategic issues.

Season Opener: Colorado opened the season with a 45–42 loss to Nebraska, despite gaining over 500 yards of total offense.
Non-Conference Struggles: The Buffaloes lost to Air Force 38–35 in Week 2, failing to contain the Falcons’ triple-option rushing attack.
Homecoming Win: Colorado defeated Colorado State 34–27 in the Rocky Mountain Showdown, marking their only non-conference win outside the Nebraska game.
Close Losses: The team lost four conference games by 10 points or fewer, including narrow defeats to Arizona State and Washington.
Final Game Collapse: The season ended with a 52–7 blowout loss to Utah, the worst defeat since 2012, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 2019 season to previous years reveals a significant drop in performance across multiple statistical categories. The table below outlines key metrics from the 2017, 2018, and 2019 seasons.

Season	Overall Record	Pac-12 Record	Points Scored (Avg)	Points Allowed (Avg)
2017	5–7	2–6	26.1	27.5
2018	5–7	3–6	24.9	26.8
2019	3–9	1–8	22.3	34.2
2020	3–3	3–3	29.8	30.2
2021	4–8	3–6	21.4	32.6

The data shows a decline in offensive production and a sharp increase in points allowed in 2019. The defense, in particular, regressed significantly, surrendering an average of 34.2 points per game, the highest in the Pac-12. Turnover margin and third-down conversion rates also worsened compared to prior seasons, indicating systemic issues.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season had lasting implications for the Colorado football program, affecting recruiting, fan engagement, and long-term coaching decisions. The performance underscored the need for structural changes within the athletic department.

Coaching Instability: Mel Tucker’s departure created uncertainty, leading to the hiring of Karl Dorrell as the permanent head coach in December 2019.
Recruiting Impact: The losing season made it harder to attract top-tier recruits, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Defensive Rebuilding: The high number of points allowed prompted a complete overhaul of the defensive coaching staff in the offseason.
Player Development: Several underclassmen gained valuable experience, including linebacker Nate Landman, who emerged as a defensive leader.
Fan Engagement: Attendance at Folsom Field dropped significantly, reflecting declining fan confidence in the program’s direction.
Program Accountability: The athletic department initiated a review of football operations, leading to increased investment in strength and analytics programs.

The 2019 season ultimately served as a turning point, prompting necessary reforms that shaped Colorado’s approach in subsequent years. While the record was poor, it highlighted areas for improvement that the program continues to address.