The date is Sept. 3, 2005. The University of Colorado is hosting the Colorado State Rams at Folsom Field for the second year in a row and a young future Buffaloes Wire writer is attending his first game as a CU student. The Buffaloes have struggled out of the gate, turning over the ball on their first two drives and mustering only a field goal into the second quarter. The Rams have just missed a field goal that would have extended their lead to 10-3.
The missed field goal may have given the Buffaloes some life as they then marched down the field, largely in part to a strong running game led by sophomore RB Hugh Charles and senior V-back Lawrence Vickers. A 31-yard gain by Charles takes the Buffaloes deep into Rams territory. Two plays later, a 17-yard pass from Joel Klatt to Joe Klopfenstein brings the Buffs to a first-and-goal at the 4-yard line and we are in business.
Except the Rams’ defense stiffens: Charles can’t get past the line of scrimmage on a run, Vickers gets stopped on a 2-yard pass and another Charles rush results in just one yard. CU now faces a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. A touchdown would breathe life into a team and stadium that has not seen much offense to this point, while a stop on fourth down would give confidence to an underdog that is already ahead. Do you take the points and make it a 7-6 ballgame? As the options were being discussed in the student section, I could see big No. 17 Lawrence Vickers head to the offensive huddle. Bring in the jumbo package.
Klatt was animated as the Buffs were calling the play and lining up in formation. Vickers, CU’s 235-pound back, is dotting the I. The snap and…
Here is what Vickers had to say about the play:
https://www.facebook.com/cubuffsfootball/videos/tbt-lawrence-vickers/2397339627221459/
The Buffs would go on to win 31-28 on a 47-yard Mason Crosby field goal with four seconds remaining.
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