Five Burning Questions: Mike Pritchard on CU-Nebraska, a rivalry renewed
Sep 4, 2019, 7:12 AM | Updated: 7:12 am
This week, the next chapter in the storied rivalry between the University of Nebraska and the University of Colorado will be written.
The Buffaloes host the Cornhuskers in Boulder for the first time in a decade coming off a win in Lincoln last season. And another win on Saturday could not only launch head coach Mel Tucker’s tenure with the Buffs but also put this CU team in the rare company of back-to-back winners over the Huskers.
This week, Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan sat down with its own Buff legend, and former first-round pick Mike Pritchard, who played along with many future NFL stars during CU’s only national championship run in 1990.
Here are his thoughts on the renewed rivalry and what it means for Buffs Nation:
Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan digital producer Johnny Hart: The rivalry between the Buffs and Huskers picked back up again last season with a CU win on the road in Lincoln. What will it mean to have Nebraska come into Folsom Field for the first time in nearly a decade?
Former first-round NFL wide receiver and University of Colorado star Mike Pritchard: It means everything. Having Nebraska invade Boulder will help to reconnect Buff Nation. Big games or rivalry games make college football special. Since CU hasn’t established a rival within the Pac 12, the Nebraska game will create an atmosphere on campus that will excite the new generation of Buffs.
Hart: You played on a team that had consecutive wins over Nebraska, which has happened only twice in the past half-century. How can this year’s squad become the third team to do so?
Pritchard: Beating Nebraska in Lincoln is difficult. Last year was a tough and very physical game, but the Buffs were ready and made plays in the fourth quarter to secure victory. The 2019 Buffs just need to remind themselves of how intense this game will be and how nothing short of 110 percent effort is needed to get the win at home.
Hart: Speaking of your back-to-back wins over the Cornhuskers, how big was that win in 1989 that propelled the Buffaloes to a Big 8 Championship for the first time in more than a decade?
Pritchard: I remember that game vividly. The headline in the local paper called it, “The game of the century.” We were undefeated and knew that beating Nebraska would allow us to go to the Orange Bowl and play for the National Championship. Basically, every reason why I became a Buff was involved in that game.
Hart: How did you mentally prepare for playing Nebraska and was it different stepping on the field with them than any other team?
Pritchard: The mental preparation process for us started during spring ball. Coach Bill McCartney would unveil the schedule for the fall season. The Nebraska game was painted red. All other games on our schedule board were painted black. Every week during the season coach Mac would give us an update on every opponent. When Mac got to the Nebraska game the mood in our meeting room would change. You could feel the tension from everyone. The build-up was crazy because for several weeks you wished that the Nebraska game was that particular week. When the game finally arrived, we were mentally and physically ready. Our scout team would use the white athletic tape from the training room to change their helmets from gold to white. During the week it felt like we were practicing against Cornhuskers.
Hart: How important is a win against the Huskers on Saturday to Mel Tucker as he enters the first year of his tenure as the Buffs head coach?
Pritchard: If coach Tucker can beat Nebraska in Boulder during his first season as head coach, that would be huge. A victory would lay a strong foundation for the future. The profile of the program could be enhanced which will help with recruiting. I also believe that a victory over Nebraska would create the needed energy for more support from Buff Nation.
