Total Defense/Opponent Team Bests

Plays Allowed

Fewest, Game—35, vs. Nebraska at Lincoln, Nov. 18, 1961.

Most, Game—111, vs. Missouri at Columbia, Oct. 12, 1968.

Fewest, Season—482, in 1947.

Most, Season—948, in 2015.

Yards Allowed

Fewest, Quarter—minus-24, vs. Kansas State in Boulder, Oct. 24, 1992 (third).

Most, Quarter—322, by Fresno State at Fresno, Sept. 22, 2012 (first).

Fewest, Half—minus-16, vs. Kansas State in Boulder, Oct. 24, 1992 (second).

Most, Half—516, by Fresno State at Fresno, Sept. 22, 2012 (first).

Fewest, Game—16, vs. Kansas State in Boulder, Oct. 24, 1992 (40 pass, –24 rush).

Most, Game—875, vs. Oklahoma in Boulder, Oct. 4, 1980 (758 rush, 117 pass).

Fewest, Season—2,045, in 1958 (690 plays).

Most, Season—5,862, in 2012 (824 plays).

Highest Average Per Play Allowed

Game (minimum 30 plays)—11.74 (43 for 505), vs. Indiana, Sept. 27, 1980.

Game (minimum 45 plays)—11.04 (52 for 574), at Arizona, Nov. 10, 2012.

Game (minimum 60 plays)—10.94 (80 for 875), vs. Oklahoma, Oct. 4, 1980.

Season—7.11, in 2012 (824 for 5,862 yards).

Lowest Average Per Play Allowed

Game (minimum 30 plays)—0.34 (47 for 16 yards), vs. Kansas State, Oct. 24, 1992.

Game (minimum 40 plays)—0.34 (47 for 16 yards), vs. Kansas State, Oct. 24, 1992.

Game (minimum 50 plays)—1.46 (52 for 76 yards), vs. Iowa State, Nov. 19, 1955.

Game (minimum 60 plays)—1.54 (63 for 97 yards), vs. Wichita State, Sept. 27, 1975.

Game (minimum 70 plays)—2.34 (85 for 199 yards), at Iowa State, Oct. 5, 1968.

Game (minimum 80 plays)—2.34 (85 for 199 yards), at Iowa State, Oct. 5, 1968.

Game (minimum 90 plays)—3.86 (90 for 347 yards), at Kansas, Oct. 15, 1977.

Game (minimum 100 plays)—4.19 (111 for 465 yards), at Missouri, Oct. 12, 1968.

Season—2.96, in 1958 (690 plays for 2,045 yards).

Average Per Game Allowed

Lowest, Season—204.5, in 1958 (2,045 in 10 games).

Highest, Season—488.5, in 2012 (5,862 in 12 games).

First Downs Allowed

Fewest, Game—0, vs. Nebraska at Lincoln, Nov. 18, 1961.

Most, Game—42, vs. Nebraska at Lincoln, Oct. 10, 1981.

Fewest Rushing, Game—0, on seven occasions. Last: vs. Idaho State in Boulder, Sept. 10, 2016.

Most Rushing, Game—34, vs. Nebraska at Lincoln, Oct. 10, 1981.

Fewest Passing, Game—0, on several occasions. Last: vs. Nebraska at Lincoln, Nov. 12, 1988.

Most Passing, Game—25, vs. Texas Tech in Lubbock, Oct. 27, 2007.

Most Penalty, Game—6, vs. Colorado State in Denver, Sept. 5, 1998; vs. Arizona at Tucson, Nov. 8, 2014; vs. Northern Colorado in Boulder, Sept. 16, 2017.

Fewest, Season—102, in 1958.

Most, Season—307, in 2011

Third Down Efficiency Defense

Best, Game—00.0 (0 of 12), vs. Kansas State in Boulder, Oct. 24, 1992; (0 of 10), vs. Nebraska at Lincoln, Nov. 18, 1961.

Worst, Game—90.9 (10 of 11), vs. Oklahoma in Boulder, Oct. 4, 1980.

Best, Season—26.1 (31 of 119), in 1957.

Worst, Season—51.7 (60 of 116), in 1962.

Third Down Conversions Attempted

Most, Game—31 (made 19), Missouri at Columbia, Oct. 12, 1968.

Most, Season—206 (made 87), in 2015.

Fewest, Game—6 (made 0), Missouri in Boulder, Nov. 2, 1957.

Fewest, Season—116 (made 60), in 1962.

Third Down Conversions Made

Most, Game—19 (of 31), Missouri at Columbia, Oct. 12, 1968.

Consecutive, Game—8, Texas at Houston (Big 12 Championship), Dec. 3, 2005.

Most, Season—90 (of 185), in 1968.

Fewest, Game—0, five times. Last: Kansas State in Boulder, Oct. 24, 1992 (0 of 12).

Fewest, Season—31 (of 119), in 1957.

Longest Conversions Made

2nd-&-32, Michael Bishop 32 pass to Justin Swift, Kansas State at Manhattan, Nov. 15, 1997 (TD).

1st-&-30, Wally Strauch 43 pass to Jim Letcavits, Kansas in Boulder, Oct. 1, 1955.

3rd-&-30, Ben Olson 38 pass to Mercedes Lewis, UCLA in Boulder, Sept. 6, 2003.

3rd-&-29, Todd Reesing 41 pass to Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas in Boulder, Oct. 17, 2009.

3rd-&-28, Rex Fischer 32 run, Nebraska at Lincoln, Nov. 12, 1955.

3rd-&-28, Steve Collins 45 pass to Ted Long, Oklahoma at Norman, Oct. 28, 1989.

2nd-&-28, Zac Taylor 35 pass to Frantz Hardy, Nebraska in Boulder, Nov. 25, 2005.

Longest Third Down Conversions Made

3rd-&-30, Ben Olson 38 pass to Mercedes Lewis, UCLA in Boulder, Sept. 6, 2003.

3rd-&-29, Todd Reesing 41 pass to Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas in Boulder, Oct. 17, 2009.

3rd-&-28, Rex Fischer 32 run, Nebraska at Lincoln, Nov. 12, 1955.

3rd-&-28, Steve Collins 45 pass to Ted Long, Oklahoma at Norman, Oct. 28, 1989.

3rd-&-26, Andrew Luck 27 pass to Griff Whalen, Stanford at Palo Alto, Oct. 8, 2011.

Longest Third Down Conversions Attempted

3rd-&-46, Oklahoma in Boulder, Oct. 17, 1992 (gained 11 on a run).

3rd-&-44, Washington State in Boulder, Sept. 26, 1987 (gained 4 on a run).

3rd-&-41, UCLA in Boulder, Oct. 2, 1984 (gained 13 on a pass).

3rd-&-40, Iowa State at Ames, Oct. 18, 1959 (incomplete pass).

3rd-&-39, San Jose State in Boulder, Sept. 11, 1999 (incomplete pass).

Longest Fourth Down Conversions Made

4th-&-23, Brian Bethke 23 pass to Harry Sydney, at Kansas, Nov. 17, 1979 (TD).

4th-&-18, Brooks Bollinger 27 pass to Brandon Williams, Wisconsin at San Antonio (Alamo Bowl), Dec. 28, 2002.

4th & 17, Corky Taylor 64 run, Kansas State at Manhattan, Oct. 17, 1953 (TD).

4th & 16, Moses Moreno 31 pass to Jeremy Calhoun, Colorado St., Sept. 9, 1995 (TD).

4th & 16, Carson Coffman 16 pass to Aubrey Quarles, Kansas St., Nov. 20, 2010 (TD).

Longest Fourth Down Conversions Attempted

4th-&-35, San Jose State in Boulder, Sept. 23, 1978 (gained 6 on a pass).

4th-&-31, Oregon at Eugene, Oct. 8, 1955 (incomplete pass).

4th-&-24, Penn State in Boulder, Sept. 26, 1970 (gained 20 on a pass).

4th-&-23, Washington State in Boulder, Sept. 19, 1981 (incomplete pass).

4th-&-23, Colorado State in Denver, Sept. 1, 2017 (sacked for loss of 10).

Rushes Allowed

Fewest, Game—12, vs. Texas Tech in Lubbock, Oct. 27, 2007.

Most, Game—99, vs. Missouri at Columbia, Oct. 12, 1968. (NCAA Record)

Fewest, Season—357, in 1947.

Most, Season—645, in 1973.

Rushing Yards Allowed

Fewest, Quarter—minus-31, vs. Wichita State in Boulder, Sept. 27, 1975 (fourth; 8 attempts)

Most, Quarter—275, vs. Oklahoma in Boulder, Oct. 4, 1980 (third).

Fewest, Half—minus-57, vs. Wichita State in Boulder, Sept. 27, 1975 (second; 18 attempts).

Most, Half—449, vs. Oklahoma in Boulder, Oct. 4, 1980 (second).

Fewest, Game—minus-40, vs. Wichita State in Boulder, Sept. 27, 1975 (31 attempts).

Most, Game—758, vs. Oklahoma in Boulder, Oct. 4, 1980 (73 attempts).

Fewest, Season—1,143, in 2005 (422 attempts).

Least, Avg., Season—95.3, in 2005 (1,143 yards on 422 attempts).

Most, Season—3,493, in 1980 (620 attempts).

Most Games Holding Opponent Under 100 Yards Rushing

Season—8, in 2005.

Most Consecutive Games Allowing A Touchdown Rushing

19—Oct. 1, 1983 to Nov. 17, 1984 (two seasons).

Most Consecutive Games Not Allowing A Touchdown Rushing

11—Nov. 24, 1923 to Dec. 25, 1924 (two seasons).

4—on 5 occasions. Last: Nov. 17, 1990 to Sept. 21, 1991 (2 seasons; modern era).

Pass Attempts Allowed

Fewest, Game—0, vs. Oklahoma in Boulder, Nov. 15, 1986.

Most, Game—65, vs. Texas Tech in Boulder, Oct. 26, 2002.

Fewest, Season—107, in 1948.

Most, Season—443, in 2007.

Pass Completions Allowed

Fewest, Game—0, on eight occasions. Last: vs. Oklahoma in Boulder, Nov. 15, 1986.

Most, Game—46, vs. Texas Tech in Lubbock, Oct. 27, 2007.

Fewest, Season—40, in 1948.

Most, Season—271, 2011.

Completion Percentage Allowed

Lowest, Game—0.0, on seven occasions. Last: vs. Oklahoma at Norman, Oct. 31, 1981 (0-of-4).

Highest, Game—91.7 (11 of 12), by Missouri in Boulder, Oct. 8, 1983.

Lowest, Season—40.4 (76-of-188), in 1979.

Highest, Season—68.0 (264-of-388), in 2010.

Passing Yards Allowed

Fewest, Quarter—minus-1, vs. Iowa State in Boulder, Nov. 19, 1955 (second; 2 completions); vs. Kansas State in Boulder, Oct. 24, 1992 (first; 2 completions).

Most, Quarter—236, vs. Nebraska in Boulder, Nov. 23, 2007 (second).

Fewest, Half—minus-1, vs. Iowa State in Boulder, Nov. 19, 1955 (first; 2 completions).

Most, Half—300, by Fresno State at Fresno, Sept. 22, 2012 (first).

Fewest, Game—minus-1, vs. Iowa State in Boulder, Nov. 19, 1955 (2 completions).

Most, Game—488, vs. Oklahoma at Norman, Oct. 30, 2010 (34 completions).

Fewest, Season—557, in 1960 (46 completions).

Most, Season—3,323, in 2013 (269 completions).

Touchdown Passes Allowed

Most, Game— 7, vs. Southern California at Los Angeles, Oct. 20, 2010; vs. California at Berkeley, Sept. 27, 2014.

Most, Season— 39, in 2012.

Most Consecutive Games Allowing A Touchdown Pass

36— Sept. 11, 2010 to Nov. 23, 2012 (three seasons).

Most Consecutive Games Not Allowing A Touchdown Pass

19—Nov. 23, 1922 to Dec. 25, 1924 (two seasons).

8—Oct. 15, 1960 to Sept. 30, 1961 (two seasons; modern era).

Points Allowed

Consecutive Quarters (Scoring)— 24, Sept. 8, 2012 to Oct. 27, 2012 (over seven games).

Consecutive Quarters (Shut Out)—37, Oct. 4, 1924 to Jan. 1, 1925 (modern record: 14, Nov. 28, 1953 to Oct. 2, 1954).

Consecutive Games—73, Oct.1, 2009 to Sept. 19, 2015 (seven seasons).

First Quarter—35, by Fresno State at Fresno, Sept. 22, 2012.

Second Quarter—30, vs. Oklahoma State in Boulder, Oct. 29, 1983.

Third Quarter—48, vs. Nebraska at Lincoln, Oct. 22, 1983.

Fourth Quarter—35, vs. Kansas at Lawrence, Nov. 6, 2010.

Overtime—7, vs. Baylor in Boulder, Oct. 7, 2006 (1st & 2nd OT); vs. California at Berkeley, Sept. 27, 2014 (first OT).

First Half—56, vs. UCLA at Los Angeles, Sept. 13, 1980; vs. Oregon at Eugene, Oct. 27, 2012.

Second Half—55, vs. Nebraska at Lincoln, Oct. 22, 1983.

Half, Home—48, vs. Oklahoma in Boulder, Oct. 4, 1980 (second).

Fewest, Game—0, on 232 occasions. Last: vs. Oklahoma State, Nov. 29, 2024.

Most, Game, Home—82, vs. Oklahoma in Boulder, Oct. 4, 1980.

Points Allowed, Cont.

Most, Game, Road—76, vs. Texas at Austin, Sept. 28, 1946.

Fewest, Season (11 games)—150, in 1989.

Most, Season—552, in 2012.

Most Points Allowed In Winning A Game

51—Colorado (65) vs. Nebraska in Boulder, Nov. 23, 2007.

47—Colorado (50) vs. Kansas in Boulder, Oct. 11, 2003 (OT).

42—on two occasions. Last: Sept. 2, 2023 at TCU in Fort Worth.

Fewest Points Allowed In Losing A Game

3—on four occasions. Last: Colorado (0) vs. Oklahoma (3) at Norman, Sept. 28, 1935.

7—Colorado (0) vs. Utah (7) at Salt Lake City, Nov. 2, 1946; Colorado (0) vs. Nebraska (7) at Lincoln, Nov. 12, 1988 (modern era).

Touchdowns Allowed

Quarter—7, vs. Nebraska at Lincoln, Oct. 22, 1983.

Half—8, vs. UCLA at Los Angeles, Sept. 13, 1980 (first); vs. Nebraska at Lincoln, Oct. 22, 1983 (second); vs. Fresno State at Fresno, Sept. 15, 2012 (first); vs. Oregon at Eugene, Oct. 27, 2012 (first).

Game—12, vs. Oklahoma in Boulder, Oct. 4, 1980.

Fewest, Season—12, in 1967 (8 rush, 4 pass).

Most, Season—73, in 2012 (28 rush, 39 pass, 6 return).

Scoring Average Allowed

Lowest, Season—9.1 (91 points in 10 games), in 1954.

Highest, Season—46.0 (552 points in 12 games), in 2012.

Punting

Fewest Punts, Game—0, on several occasions. Last: by Baylor, Oct. 16, 2010.

Most Punts, Game—13, Colorado State in Boulder, Oct. 21, 1939; Wyoming in Boulder, Oct. 12, 1946; Kansas State in Boulder, Oct. 24, 1992.

Most Punting Yards, Game—689, Kansas State in Boulder, Oct. 24, 1992.

Highest Average Per Punt, Game (minimum 5)—53.6 (10 for 536 yards), Oklahoma State in Boulder, Nov. 13, 1971.

Highest Average Per Punt, Game (minimum 10)—53.6 (10 for 536 yards), Oklahoma State in Boulder, Nov. 13, 1971. (NCAA Record)

Punt Returns

Most Allowed, Game—9 (for 122 yards), vs. Wyoming at Laramie, Oct. 12, 1946.

Fewest Allowed, Season—11, in 1994.

Most Allowed, Season—34, in 1979 and 1980.

Most Punt Return Yards Allowed, Game—133 (6 returns), vs. Army at West Point, Oct. 4, 1947.

Most Punt Return Yards Allowed, Season—488 (31 returns), in 1958.

Lowest Average Per Return Allowed, Season—4.89 (18 for 88 yards), in 1997.

Highest Average Per Return Allowed, Season—19.1 (14 for 268 yards), in 1966.

Most Punt Return Touchdowns, Game—1, on 23 occasions.

Most Punt Return Touchdowns, Season—4, in 2009.

Kickoff Returns

Most Allowed, Game—11 (for 236 yards) vs. Arizona at Tucson, Oct. 11, 1958; 11 (for 179 yards) vs. Nebraska in Boulder, Nov. 23, 2007.

Fewest Allowed, Season—12 (for 333 yards), in 1980.

Most Allowed, Season—56 (for 1,206 yards), in 1994.

Most Kickoff Return Yards Allowed, Game—254 (6 returns), vs. Iowa State at Ames, Oct. 5, 1968.

Most Kickoff Return Yards Allowed, Season—1,206 (56 returns), in 1994.

Lowest Average Per Return Allowed, Season—13.7 (34 for 467 yards), in 1987.

Highest Average Per Return Allowed, Season—27.8 (12 for 333 yards), in 1980.

Most Kickoff Return Touchdowns, Game—1, on 16 occasions.

Most Kickoff Return Touchdowns, Season—2, in 2008 and 2012.

Interception Returns

Interceptions—Reference Colorado Team Passing.

Most Interception Return Yards Allowed, Game—98, Texas Tech at Lubbock, Nov. 17, 1962.

Most Interception Return Yards Allowed, Season—402 (22 interceptions), in 1982.

Lowest Average Per Return Allowed, Season—0.25 (4 for 1 yard), in 1994.

Highest Average Per Return Allowed, Season—18.7 (15 for 280 yards), in 2014.

Most Interception Return Touchdowns Allowed, Game—1, on several occasions.

Most Interception Return Touchdowns Allowed, Season—4, in 2018.

Return Yards

Fewest Allowed, Game—minus 11, vs. Texas in Boulder, Sept. 4, 1993 (–11 punt).

Most Allowed, Game—205, vs. Texas at Austin, Oct. 1, 2009 (113 punt, 92 interception).

Fewest Allowed, Season—80, in 1989 (76 punt, 4 interception).

Most Allowed, Season—676, in 1982 (274 punt, 402 interception).

Fumbles (Opponent)

Most, Game—9, by Oklahoma in Boulder, Oct. 4, 1980; by Oklahoma at Norman, Oct. 22, 1987.

Fewest, Season—14, in 2014 and 2017.

Most, Season—48, in 1976.

Most Lost, Game—6, by Oregon at Eugene, Oct. 8, 1955; by Oklahoma State at Stillwater, Nov. 19, 1960; by Kansas in Boulder, Nov. 13, 1976.

Most Lost, Season—30, in 1976.

Fewest Lost, Season—6, in 2017.

Most Touchdowns, Recoveries & Returns, Season—4, in 1995.

Turnovers

Consecutive Games Forced, Colorado—55, Sept. 28, 1974 to Sept. 15, 1979.

Consecutive Games Forced, Opponent—65, Sept. 25, 1976 to Sept. 18, 1982.

Most Forced, Game—10, vs. Kansas in Boulder, Nov. 13, 1976 (six fumbles, four interceptions).

Most Forced, Season—49, in 1976 (30 fumbles, 19 interceptions).

Least Forced, Season—11, in 2014 (8 fumbles, 3 interceptions).

Penalties

Fewest Penalties, Game—0, by Utah in Boulder, Sept. 28, 1957; by Nebraska in Boulder, Oct. 28, 1995.

Most Penalties, Game—18, by San Jose State in Boulder, Sept. 23, 1978.

Fewest Penalty Yards, Game—0, by Utah in Boulder, Sept. 28, 1957; by Nebraska in Boulder, Oct. 28, 1995.

Most Penalty Yards, Game—176, by San Jose State in Boulder, Sept. 23, 1978.

Tackles For Loss

Game, By Colorado—18 (for 104 yards), vs. Missouri at Columbia, Nov. 4, 2000.

Game, By Opponent—14 (for 85 yards), Oregon in Boulder, Sept. 8, 1979.

Season, By Colorado—113 (for 470 yards), in 1992.

Season, By Opponent—106 (for 381 yards), in 2018.

Quarterback Sacks

Consecutive Games With a Quarterbacks Sack, Colorado—25, Oct. 4, 2008 to Oct. 9, 2010.

Game, By Colorado—14 (for 96 yards), vs. Missouri at Columbia, Nov. 4, 2000.

Game, By Opponent—11 (for 60 yards), Nebraska at Lincoln, Oct. 27, 1979.

Season, By Colorado—41 (for 231 yards), in 1990; (for 311 yards), in 1992.

Season, By Opponent—56 (for 492 yards), in 2023.

Most Passes Broken Up

Game, By Colorado—18, vs. Texas A & M at College Station, Sept. 28, 1996.

Game, By Opponent—12, Nebraska at Lincoln, Nov. 29, 1996.

Season, By Colorado—92, in 2016.

Season, By Opponent—70, in 1984.

Most Safeties

Game, By Colorado—1, on several occasions.

Game, By Opponent—2, Oklahoma State at Stillwater, Oct. 27, 1984.

Season, By Colorado—3, in 1990.

Season, By Opponent—2, in 1982, 1984, 2008, 2010.

Most Blocked Kicks

Game, By Colorado—2, on several occasions. Last: vs. Toledo at Toledo, Sept. 11, 2009.

Game, By Opponent—2, on several occasions. Last: Kansas State in Manhattan, Oct. 18, 2003.

Season, By Colorado—7, in 1995.

Season, By Opponent-—7, in 1995 and 2003.

Recovered/Returned For Touchdown, Season, By Colorado—1, on seven occasions.

Recovered/Returned For Touchdown, Season, By Opponent—2, in 1995 and 2003.

Most Defensive Extra Points

Game, By Colorado— 1, on two occasions. Last vs. Oregon State, Nov. 4, 2023.

Season, By Colorado—1, in 2023 &1991.

(The opponent has not scored a defensive extra point in CU history.)