1969 Colorado State–Greeley Bears football team

1969 Colorado State–Greeley Bears football
RMAC champion
RMAC Plains Division champion
MAC championship game, W 33–14 vs. Adams State
ConferenceRocky Mountain Athletic Conference
DivisionPlains Division
Record10–0 (5–0 RMAC)
Head coach
CaptainMickey Holmes, Randy Thompson, Joe Drew
Home stadiumJackson Field
Seasons
← 1968
1970 →
1969 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Mountain Division
Adams State xy 6 – 1 – 0 6 – 4 – 0
Western State (CO) 5 – 1 – 0 5 – 4 – 0
Westminster (UT) 3 – 3 – 0 4 – 5 – 0
Southern Utah 2 – 3 – 0 4 – 5 – 0
Colorado Mines 1 – 3 – 0 3 – 6 – 0
Western New Mexico 1 – 4 – 0 1 – 7 – 0
Fort Lewis 1 – 5 – 0 1 – 7 – 0
Plains Division
Colorado State–Greeley xy$ 5 – 0 – 0 10 – 0 – 0
Emporia State 4 – 2 – 0 6 – 3 – 0
Southern Colorado 3 – 2 – 0 7 – 2 – 0
Washburn 3 – 3 – 0 5 – 5 – 0
Nebraska–Omaha 2 – 2 – 0 3 – 6 – 0
Pittsburg State 2 – 3 – 0 5 – 5 – 0
Fort Hays State 0 – 6 – 0 0 – 9 – 0
Championship: Colorado State–Greeley 33, Adams State 14
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant

The 1969 Colorado State–Greeley Bears football team was an American football team that represented Colorado State College (now known as the University of Northern Colorado) as a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) during the 1969 NCAA College Division football season. In their fourth year under head coach Bob Blasi, the Bears compiled an overall record of 10–0 record (5–0 in conference play), won the RMAC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 435 to 132.[1] It was the first perfect season in program history and the first RMAC championship in 21 years.[2][3]

The team broke multiple team records, including points scored (435), total yards gained (3,898), most touchdowns scored (63), most passing yards (1,875), most rushing yards (2,023), fewest yards allowed (1,729), most passes intercepted (27), and fewest rushing yards allowed per game (57.4).[4]

Quarterback George Kaplan broke the school's single-season records with 19 touchdown passes, 1,525 passing yards, 1,420 yards of total offense, 102 passes completed, and a 57.0% pass completion percentage.[4] Back Mickey Holmes also broke multiple single-season records, including 38 pass receptions, 517 receiving yards, and 80 points scored.[4] Tailback Ben Pyatt led the team with 583 rushing yards on 127 carries.[2] Defensive tackle Joe Drew tallied six fumble recoveries and received All-America honors.[5] Four Greeley players were named to the All-RMAC team: end Dennis Becking; defensive end Grail Kister; linebacker Randy Thompson; and defensive back Rick Pierson.[6]

Mickey Holmes, Randy Thompson, and Joe Drew were the team captains. Jerry McMillen, Buck Rollins, Vince Zimmer, and Bob Aylward were the team's assistant coaches.[7]

The team played its home games at Jackson Field in Greeley, Colorado.

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 20at Emporia StateEmporia, KSW 33–39,000[8]
September 27Fort Hays State
W 53–66,900[9]
October 4at Colorado Mines*Golden, COW 58–0933[10]
October 11at Boise State*
W 16–108,700[11][12]
October 18Eastern New Mexico*
  • Jackson Field
  • Greeley, CO
W 28–144,000[13]
October 25Fort Lewis*dagger
  • Jackson Field
  • Greeley, CO
W 68–07,500–8,000[14]
November 1at Southern ColoradoPueblo, COW 41–204,000[15]
November 8at Eastern Montana*Billings, MTW 35–0985[16]
November 15Washburn
  • Jackson Field
  • Greeley, CO
W 70–286,500[17]
November 22Adams State
  • Jackson Field
  • Greeley, CO (RMAC championship game)
W 33–145,700–6,000[18][19]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming

[2][20]

References

  1. ^ "UNC Football Record Book" (PDF). University of Northern Colorado. p. 124. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Jim Eakle (November 26, 1969). "Records Shattered In 1969 C-State Grid Campaign". Greeley Tribune. p. 34 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Paul Moloney (November 25, 1969). "'69 -- A Football Season To Remember". Greeley Tribune. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b c "Thirty-One Records Fall For '69 Undefeated Bears". Greeley Tribune. November 24, 1969. p. 42 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Record Book, pp 77, 104.
  6. ^ "CSC, Adams State Head 69 All-RMAC Grid Team". Greeley Tribune. December 3, 1969. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "To Sum Up: RMAC Champions". Greeley Tribune. November 25, 1969. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Jim Eakle (September 22, 1969). "Spirited CSC Bears Upset Emporia 33-30". Greeley Tribune. p. 30 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Jim Eakle (September 29, 1969). "C-State Wallops Fort Hays State 53-6". Greeley Tribune. p. 26 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Jim Eakle (October 6, 1969). "CSC Literally 'Snows Under' Miners 58-0". Greeley Tribune. p. 26 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Jim Eakle (October 13, 1969). "C-State 'Wrecks' Boise State in Thriller". Greeley Tribune. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Colorado State takes fumbles, defeats Boise". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. October 12, 1969. p. 17.
  13. ^ John Eakle (October 20, 1969). "Holmes Leads to 28-14 Win". Greeley Tribune. p. 25 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ Jim Eakle (October 27, 1969). "CSC Records fall in 68-0 Win". Greeley Tribune. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ Jim Eakle (November 3, 1969). "C-State Belts SCSC 41-20 In Key Victory". Greeley Tribune. p. 30 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ Jim Eakle (November 10, 1969). "Bears Roll To 8th Straight, 35-0". Greeley Tribune. p. 26 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "Bears Eye RMAC Plains Division Title Saturday". Greeley Tribune. November 11, 1969. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "CSC Bears Hope To End 21-Year Drought". Greeley Tribune. November 21, 1969. p. 28 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Bears Do It -- 10-0, RMAC Champs". Greeley Tribune. November 24, 1969. p. 42 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "Cumulative Football Statistics Report". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved February 8, 2024.