Colorado

If you are 39-12 as a head coach in a competitive conference, you know how to coach, especially if you were schooled at Miami in Ohio as Bill Mallory was. He took over the CU job knowing the pressure but inherited a squad with talent. The helmet was changed slightly with the removal of the black player identifying numerals. However, Mallory maintained the gold shell, white one-inch center stripe, one-half-inch black flanking stripes, and the now nationally recognized black interlocking "CU" logo on each side. Unfortunately, the defense was a disaster, ranking last in the conference in rushing, scoring, and total yards against despite the play of JC transfer DE Troy Archer and LB Greg Westbrooks ('75-'81 with four NFL clubs). The offense was loaded and accounted for the success in the 5-6 season, with WB Dave Logan a primary weapon and good return man. He played eight of his nine NFL years with the Browns as a receiver and occasional DB. Soph RB Billy Waddy ran for 765 yards, FB Terry Kunz another 693 behind a potent line of Pete Brock, Doug Payton, Leon White, and Frosh-All American OT Matt Miller. TE Don Hasselbeck was an obvious star as a soph. Improving the defense to a middle-of-the-conference level elevated the 1975's record to 9-3 with a Bluebonnet Bowl loss to Texas 38-21. DE Troy Archer was the star and a first round pick of the Giants, dying tragically in an auto accident before the '79 season. The offense was potent with running backs almost falling over each other for playing time and an offensive line that was of NFL size and quality. QB David Williams led the conference in total offense with RB's Billy Waddy, James Mayberry, and Jim Kelleher leading the rush game. All Big Eight TE Hasselbeck (22 catches) and wingback Emery Moorehead were inviting targets when Williams had to throw. The line was tremendous, led by C Pete Brock, also All American and the Patriots first round pick, playing for them 1976 through '87. With another All American on the O-line in Mark Koncar (Packers, Oilers) who found time to letter in baseball and rodeo, it was no wonder the rush game was so potent. 1976's respectable 8-4 record was a downer for Coach Mallory, in part due to some inconsistent play in games that were winnable. The win over Oklahoma (42-31) was the high point and got them the conference crown in a three-way tie, while the Orange Bowl loss to Ohio State by 27-10 was a bitter pill. Again, the offense was brutal, with TE Don Hasselbeck an All American who played a long NFL career with New England and then his hometown Bengals. Hasselbeck has had two sons playing as NFL QB's. Moorehead was terrific at wingback and went on to a productive career with the Giants and Super Bowl Bears as a TE and wide receiver, with Billy Waddy who became a seven year pro, behind him. OT Leon White was lost to injury early but the line boasted two more Brock brothers, Willie at center and freshman Stan at tackle.