Colorado State University Athletics
The 1994 Holiday Bowl Team
10/31/2004 12:00:00 AM | General
All things must have a beginning and for the Colorado State Rams the tradition of great Rams football began with the phenomenal 1994 season. Sonny Lubick took over as head coach for the Rams the previous year and the results were less than favorable, but he turned his team around for something truly special.
The 1994 football team, headed by quarterback Anthoney Hill, made Rams history by representing the Western Athletic Conference in their first ever post season event. They also turned around the 5-6 record from the previous season and beat 10 teams losing only to Utah and their Holiday Bowl Opponent, Michigan.
Because of the great success this team achieved, Lubick earned many awards that year. He was the conference coach of the year, a finalist for the national coach of the year, and Sports Illustrated named him their coach of the year. Lubick has continued to receive many awards as the head coach of the Rams and is one of the most highly recognized coaches for what he has accomplished and his ability to do so much with so little.
The conclusion of the 1994 team?s great season landed them on San Diego?s Jack Murphy Stadium in front of the eighth largest crowd in Holiday Bowl history. The Rams definitely had momentum going into the game and had nothing to lose. Michigan opened up with a touchdown score on their first drive, but Hill drove the Rams 66 yards in nine plays, finding Paul Turner on a 32 yard scoring play. From the kick-off the Rams were showing the world they weren?t afraid and they were going to bring the heat. Hill, a San Diego native, shone in front of his home town and for the Rams. He finished the game with 289 yards and two touchdowns. For his efforts he was named Colorado State?s Offensive MVP.
The Rams defense was forced to face off against some very talented Michigan players. Reciever Amani Toomer who now plays for the Giants, running back Tyrone Wheatly who is on the Raiders roster, Tim Biakabutuka who played for the Carolina Panthers and Todd Collins, a current back up quarterback in Kansas City.
Even though Michigan was talented the Rams were too. Brady Smith, a defensive end, was a power force for the Rams and is still a force on the Atlanta Falcons roster.
By the end of the game the stats were close. Michigan had gained 341 total yards to CSU?s 340 yards. Michigan, however, had the upper hand in the scoring department, the Rams lost the scoring battle 14-24 but gained a victory that has helped propel the Rams further into in the spotlight. ?Where is CSU,? some people may have asked before, but with the great coaches and the great players this school has had, everyone now knows not to ask where but what the Rams are bringing to the battle field.
On November 11, 2004, the 1994 team will be reunited at a reception at C.B. & Potts and will be treated to many events including the Nov. 13 game against UNLV at Hughes Stadium. They will also be recognized on Sonny Lubick Field during the game. Thanks to this amazing group of gentlemen who started the legacy, future Rams can live in the glory and fight for the honor of being a Ram.
