Colorado State University Athletics
This Week In History: Alford Runs Willd vs. Utah
10/31/2019 1:00:00 PM | Football
October 28, 1989 – The tide of CSU football had begun to turn in 1989 when athletic director Oval Janes hired former Ohio State head coach Earle Bruce to lead the Rams. Bruce brought with him a completely different attitude toward football than CSU had ever seen before. He wanted a powerful "smashmouth" rushing game and a defense that could open up opportunities for the offense. After just two months of play, he was able to turn around the CSU program.
On a snowy, almost blizzard-like day in Salt Lake City, the Rams took the field against the worst defense in the Western Athletic Conference and NCAA. The star of the day would be junior running back Tony Alford, who hailed from Colorado Springs and led the CSU offense on the ground.
Alford opened the game with a 54-yard touchdown run on the first series after the kickoff. He then continued to rush hard and fast at the Ute line, scoring two more touchdowns and racking up 310 yards in a 50-10 win over Utah. Alford set a school record for single-game rushing yards, previously held by Kim Jones in 1971 when he ran for 229 yards. Alford's 310 yards also broke the WAC single-game rushing record, previously held by Kevin Lowe of Wyoming in 1984.
After the game Alford said, "The offensive line made some great blocks. They did a great job, and the holes were there. Our defense also did an excellent job of shutting them down."
Alford's comments about the defense were not to be overlooked, as CSU forced nine turnovers. Rams nickel back Andy Byrne intercepted three passes and recovered one fumble to account for almost half of the turnovers. Rams fullback Todd Yert turned in a career day too, rushing for 101 yards, but Alford's effort overshadowed his feat.
Alford's 310 yards in one game stood as a CSU football record for 24 years until Kapri Bibbs broke it against Nevada at Hughes Stadium on Nov. 9, 2013, rushing for 312 yards that day. Alford gained national attention in 1989 by rushing for 1,035 yards and receiving honorable mention All-America by USA Today. He remains third on the CSU all-time average rushes for a four-year career player and fifth in single-season rushing average.
Alford went on to be a key member of the 1990 Rams team that went 9-4 and won the Freedom Bowl against Oregon. After graduating in 1992, he decided to pursue a career in coaching and cut his teeth as an assistant coach at Fort Collins High School in 1993. Alford went on the be the running backs coach at Mount Union, Kent State, Iowa State, Washington, Louisville and Notre Dame.
In 2015, Alford's former wide receivers coach at Colorado State, Urban Meyer, called to have him become the assistant head coach for offense and running backs at Ohio State University. Alford remains at Ohio State in that role, and in 2019, celebrates 27 years in coaching. His amazing 310-yard day in Salt Lake City remains as one of the key turning points in school history that ignited Rams football with conference championships and bowl games during the 1990s and 2000s.
On a snowy, almost blizzard-like day in Salt Lake City, the Rams took the field against the worst defense in the Western Athletic Conference and NCAA. The star of the day would be junior running back Tony Alford, who hailed from Colorado Springs and led the CSU offense on the ground.
Alford opened the game with a 54-yard touchdown run on the first series after the kickoff. He then continued to rush hard and fast at the Ute line, scoring two more touchdowns and racking up 310 yards in a 50-10 win over Utah. Alford set a school record for single-game rushing yards, previously held by Kim Jones in 1971 when he ran for 229 yards. Alford's 310 yards also broke the WAC single-game rushing record, previously held by Kevin Lowe of Wyoming in 1984.
After the game Alford said, "The offensive line made some great blocks. They did a great job, and the holes were there. Our defense also did an excellent job of shutting them down."
Alford's comments about the defense were not to be overlooked, as CSU forced nine turnovers. Rams nickel back Andy Byrne intercepted three passes and recovered one fumble to account for almost half of the turnovers. Rams fullback Todd Yert turned in a career day too, rushing for 101 yards, but Alford's effort overshadowed his feat.
Alford's 310 yards in one game stood as a CSU football record for 24 years until Kapri Bibbs broke it against Nevada at Hughes Stadium on Nov. 9, 2013, rushing for 312 yards that day. Alford gained national attention in 1989 by rushing for 1,035 yards and receiving honorable mention All-America by USA Today. He remains third on the CSU all-time average rushes for a four-year career player and fifth in single-season rushing average.
Alford went on to be a key member of the 1990 Rams team that went 9-4 and won the Freedom Bowl against Oregon. After graduating in 1992, he decided to pursue a career in coaching and cut his teeth as an assistant coach at Fort Collins High School in 1993. Alford went on the be the running backs coach at Mount Union, Kent State, Iowa State, Washington, Louisville and Notre Dame.
In 2015, Alford's former wide receivers coach at Colorado State, Urban Meyer, called to have him become the assistant head coach for offense and running backs at Ohio State University. Alford remains at Ohio State in that role, and in 2019, celebrates 27 years in coaching. His amazing 310-yard day in Salt Lake City remains as one of the key turning points in school history that ignited Rams football with conference championships and bowl games during the 1990s and 2000s.
Colorado State Football: Hauss Hejny - 2026 Spring Scrimmage #2
Saturday, April 04
Colorado State Football: Kenyon Agurs - 2026 Spring Scrimmage #2
Saturday, April 04
Colorado State Football: Jim Mora - 2026 Spring Scrimmage #2
Saturday, April 04
Colorado State Football: K'saan Farrar - 2026 Spring Scrimmage #1
Saturday, March 28