Ultimate Buffalo Tournament: Football Round of 32

Last week, we introduced the Ultimate Buffalo Tournament with the football region, which was met with resounding success. Y’all looked, deliberated and voted with aplomb and advanced eight football players to the next round. There were some tough matchups, some surprises (Deon Figures over Chris Brown?), and some close calls, but here we are. This is a great group of eight.

What’s nice is that we somehow got perfect era parallels. Teammates facing teammates, and when that doesn’t happen, Bobby Anderson and Whizzer White come from similar eras. I mean, not really, but time is relative when you go back that far. Also, we have a new feature to introduce today. Native polls on the page! Twitter is no longer required to pick the best Buff. Here we go!

(We will not recap the careers thoroughly of these remaining players. If you’d like to see a recap, here is the original link again)

#1 Whizzer White vs. #8 Bobby Anderson

Two Buffalo backfield legends. Whizzer was the first bonafide superstar in Colorado history, and his college career can still be put up there with the best to put on the black and gold. Bobby Anderson isn’t far behind. He played running back at an All-American level, decided to try quarterback, excelled at both QB and RB, then switched back to RB after injuries his senior, only to dominate again. One of the best pure runners in CU history.

#4 Alfred Williams vs. #12 Eric Bieniemy

Our first teammate matchup comes on opposite sides of the ball. Both were All-Americans. Both hold records in the halls of Dal Ward. And both won a national championship. Not much can’t be said for these two and their careers. Williams is one of my personal favorite Colorado players of all time. There’s just something mystifying about a player that lives in the backfield. Eric made a living out of the backfield. CU’s record holder in all things rushing, he was the rear wheel drive to a fully operational battle stati... i mean option offense. He also pulled off an upset in the Ultimate Buffalo Tournament, something that can’t be understated.

#3 Rashaan Salaam vs. #6 Kordell Stewart

This is my favorite matchup of the second round. Teammates, in the same backfield, at the same time. It’s hard to argue against the late, great Rashaan Salaam. He has hardware not earned before or since in Boulder. As a Heisman winner, he carries a lot of credence. His 1994 season may be the single best season by anyone in Colorado history. 2,000 yards! Stewart is no slouch. One of the best all-around athletes in Buffalo history, Stewart had the presence and intelligence to excel in any offensive system. Plus, he gives us an excuse to post the Miracle at Michigan every time. The same goes for Salaam and his 2,000 yard run.

#10 Deon Figures vs. #2 Darian Hagan

The final matchup in the Round of 32. Figures vs. Hagan. I’m extremely partial, so I’ll try to put that out of the way at the beginning here. Darian Hagan is my favorite player in CU history. Athleticism, toughness, and perfect football instincts. If you want to see the perfect option quarterback play, against Nebraska no less, watch Hagan to Flanagan. You should already know this play well. Figures actually has the hardware advantage. A Thorpe Award winner and an All-American to boot. Plus, he sealed the only national championship in school history by picking off Notre Dame. Anyone that beats Notre Dame gets extra points in my book. He was a lockdown corner and an unbelievable athlete.

Voting is right here on this page and on Twitter, so do it!