1969 Colorado State–Greeley Bears football team

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]

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
ConfOverall
TeamW L TW L T
Mountain Division
Adams State xy610640
Western State (CO)510540
Westminster (UT)330450
Southern Utah230450
Colorado Mines130360
Western New Mexico140170
Fort Lewis150170
Plains Division
Colorado State–Greeley xy$5001000
Emporia State420630
Southern Colorado320720
Washburn330550
Nebraska–Omaha220360
Pittsburg State230550
Fort Hays State060090
Championship: Colorado State–Greeley 33, Adams State 14
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant

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*
  • 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
  • Homecoming

[2][20]

References