On October 22nd, the Ducks will take the field in Boulder, CO, in their first-ever conference game against the Colorado Buffaloes. We have some recent history with the Buffs, and, unsurprisingly, it involves Rick Neuheisel being a slimy little s***. The Weasel's Buffaloes put a 38-6 whooping on Mike Bellotti's Ducks in the 1996 Cotton Bowl, finishing the game off by faking a punt with five minutes left, up 32-6. Though Neuheisel snuck out of Boulder amidst a sea of NCAA violations in 1999, Coach Bellotti would exact his revenge on the program in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl, as Joey Harrington and the Ducks beat up on Colorado 38-16.
Other than those two run-ins, what do we really know about our new conference mates? I bring you the first in a two-part series, chronicling the ins and outs of our new brethren. Here's what you, Duck fans, need to know about Colorado!
- The University of Colorado, Boulder, was founded in 1876, five months before Colorado was granted statehood by President Ulysses S. Grant.
- Two cities competed to be the home city for CU: Boulder and Cañon City. The loser was to be given the Colorado State Prison. Why is that a consolation prize? I don't know either.
- The Buffs have a live American Bison mascot named Ralphie, as well as a costumed mascot named CHIP.
- Notable alumni include: Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of South Park, composers Dave Grusin and Glenn Miller, and actor Larry Linville, best known for his portrayal of Major Frank Burns on the TV show M*A*S*H.
- Colorado alumns have founded the following companies: TiVo, Burton Snowboards, Quizno's, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and the ad agency Weiden + Kennedy, best known for Nike's "Just Do It" campaign.
- 17 astronauts have attended CU, fourth most among non-military institutions. Most notable would be Jack Swigart, crew member on the Apollo 13 mission, and therefore one degree away from Kevin Bacon.
- Boulder is known as one of the fittest and healthiest cities in the country, with the majority of its residents walking or biking to work.
- CU is also known for hosting one of the largest 4/20 celebrations in the world.
- Colorado has the highest mean altitude of all 50 states, and has 75% of this country's land higher than 10,000 feet.
- The highest suspension bridge in the world is in Colorado, perched 1,053 feet over the Arkansas River atop the Royal Gorge.
- The Colorado men's basketball team advanced the 2011 NIT Final Four, losing 62-61 to Alabama.
If you have any other juicy facts about the Centennial State, leave them in the comments!