Discover the CU Buffaloes Greatest Moments, Heisman History and Top Football Legends
Travis Hunter Wins the 2024 Heisman Trophy
Hunter secured a total of 552 first-place votes and 2,231 points, edging out Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, who earned 309 first-place votes and 2,017 points. The razor-thin margin marked the closest Heisman race since 2009 when Mark Ingram narrowly defeated Toby Gerhart.
Quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel of Oregon and Cam Ward of Miami took third and fourth place, respectively. Notably, this was only the fifth time this century that a quarterback did not win the award, and it was also the first time since 2015 that no quarterback claimed a top-two spot.
The Return of the Two-Way Star
Hunter’s achievements shine even brighter considering he is a true two-way player in an era dominated by specialization. Rarely leaving the field, he channels the spirit of football icons who once excelled in multiple roles.
His versatility and skill have earned him numerous honors this season, including AP Player of the Year, the Walter Camp Award, the Chuck Bednarik Award (top defensive player), and the Biletnikoff Award (best wide receiver).
A Colorado Legacy
Under the guidance of head coach Deion Sanders, Hunter made the transition from Jackson State, a historically Black university in the FCS, to Colorado. This bold move paid off in spectacular fashion, bringing the Buffaloes back into the national spotlight and revitalizing a program hungry for success.
For Hunter, this Heisman win is more than a personal accolade—it’s a symbol of his leadership, dedication, and the bright future awaiting Colorado football.
“Winning this award is a dream come true,” said Hunter. “To join Rashaan Salaam as the only Buffaloes to win the Heisman is an honor I will cherish forever.”
Reliving Rashaan Salaam’s Legacy
Rashaan Salaam left an enduring mark on Colorado football, with his Heisman-winning 1994 season remembered as one of the greatest in NCAA history. Almost three decades later, Travis Hunter has carried on that legendary legacy, proving that the Buffaloes can still stand tall among college football’s elite.
Colorado Buffaloes Gear
Display your team spirit with a tremendous collection of Buffs Gear designed for gamedays and more.
CU 1990 National Champs
Colorado Heisman History
Salaam Rushes For Colorado’s First Heisman Trophy
Rashaan Salaam won the 1994 Heisman Trophy after rushing for a school-record 2,055 yards and 24 TD’s. Salaam’s performance helped spark the Buffaloes to an 11-1 record including a Fiesta Bowl victory over Notre Dame. The achievement marked the first time a Colorado player had joined the list of Heisman winners.
Four consecutive 200-yard games helped Salaam to gain momentum in
the Heisman race that also featured a strong push from Penn State’s Ki-Jana Carter.
The exclamation mark on Salaam beat Carter by 842 points in the Heisman voting and left for the NFL with a year of eligibility remaining. The former Colorado RB was drafted in the first round of the 1995 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears with the 21st pick. Salaam played for four NFL teams and amassed 1,684 career rushing yards and 13 TD’s. Sallam was named the 1995 UPI NFC Rookie of the Year.
Salaam’s life came to a tragic end on December 5, 2016. The former CU and NFL star was found in a park in Boulder, Colorado following his apparent suicide.
COLORADO: MASCOT: RALPHIE
tradition has been romping since 1934.
One of college football’s most grand entrance into a stadium is takes place at Colorado’s Folsom Field when the school’s football team follows its mascot’s charge. With Ralphie’s storming the field generating flashbacks from the old west, visiting teams learn first hand what intimidation is all about. The raging moment that features more than 1000 pounds of stampeding flesh darting toward the visiting sideline takes place before the game and the third quarter.
The first buffalo sighting at CU took place in 1934, following the school’s embracing of the Buffalo nickname. A buffalo calf and a real cowboy keeper were paid $25 to support the school during a late season victory over the University of Denver.
Perhaps country music singer Charlie Pride had Colorado’s Buffalo mascot in mind when he sang: “Let the chips fall, let them fall where they may.” The old saying that “You better what your step when the chips are down,” might have also applied to the mascot’s naming.
Colorado Football FAQ
Q. How did the University gain the Buffaloes Nickname?
A. The University of Colorado Boulder first adopted the Buffaloes nickname in 1934, but how it got there isn’t that simple. According to popular belief, the name was inspired by a group of runners participating in a race from Denver to Boulder. As they approached the CU campus, one runner yelled “here come the buffaloes!” It soon caught on as both a cheer and an unofficial mascot for the university.
Q. How did Colorado Select its University colors?
A. The University of Colorado had a unique process behind selecting their school colors. The story first begins in 1890, when the school was still known as the Boulder Normal School. At that time, some students placed a box with various color combinations in front of Old Main Hall and asked fellow students to vote for what they thought would be the best colors for their school. After all the votes were tallied, silver and gold were declared as the colors for Boulder Normal School on June 3rd, 1890.
The university went through a few name changes until 1912 when it finally became known as The University of Colorado at Boulder (CU). With its new identity came an updated color scheme – “silver-gray” and “Old Gold” (a darker shade than previously used). In 1920, however, CU adopted black into its official school colors which created today’s traditional gold-black-and-silver look – one that is still seen everywhere around campus today!
