Colorado football fans will forever cherish the 1994 season, which catapulted Rashaan Salaam to Heisman glory and solidified the Buffaloes as contenders on the national stage. After finishing with an 8-3-1 record the previous year, the Buffs, brimming with NFL talent, and quarterback Kordell Stewart, were primed for success as they headed for the national championship contention.
Salaam, who was just entering his third year with the team and taking over as the starting running back, significantly outperformed his previous statistics from 1993. That year, he had 161 carries for 844 yards and eight touchdowns. But 1994 was set to be different. He shattered those previous records, rushing for 2,055 yards and scoring 24 touchdowns, making him the first player in University of Colorado's history to pass the 2,000-yard mark.
Beginning the season, the Buffaloes faced tough competition with an undeniably challenging nonconference schedule, featuring three opponents ranked No. 16 or higher. First up was Northeast Louisiana (now known as Louisiana-Monroe), where Salaam rushed for 184 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries. Then came the showdown against the No. 10 Wisconsin Badgers, followed by the No. 4 Michigan Wolverines - famously remembered for "The Miracle at Michigan" - and rounding out the tough slate against the No. 16 Texas Longhorns. Over those three pivotal games, Salaam amassed 543 rushing yards and found the end zone seven times.
The Texas game was especially remarkable, with Salaam setting season highs by rushing for 317 yards, solidifying his status as one of college football’s elite running backs. All this set the stage for what would become not just a storied season, but one for the history books.
Transitioning to Big Eight Conference play, the Buffaloes demonstrated their dominance, going 4-1 over their next five conference games. Again, Salaam excelled, tying his season-high with four rushing touchdowns during his matchup against Oklahoma. By the time he approached the culmination of the regular season, Salaam had already accumulated 1,564 rushing yards.
To secure his place as CU’s first 2,000-yard rusher, he needed two strong finishes. Against the Kansas Jayhawks, he reached the 200-yard mark for the third time, tallying 232 yards and three touchdowns. He closed out the regular season with another powerful performance against Iowa State, rushing for 259 yards, which included one of the most iconic plays—the classic 67-yard touchdown run cementing his season total past 2,000 yards.
But the significant achievements didn't conclude there. The Buffaloes, propelled by Salaam’s dynamic performances, faced the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Fiesta Bowl, where they emerged victorious with a stunning 41-24 win. Though his rushing stats from the bowl game, totaling 83 yards and three touchdowns, didn't count toward his season total, they highlighted his clutch abilities on the biggest stage.
December 10, 1994, marked the day Salaam's name became synonymous with college football excellence as he was crowned the Heisman Trophy winner. It wasn't just any win; it was monumental. Salaam finished with 400 first-place votes for the Heisman, leading with 1,743 total points. Penn State running back Ki-Jana Carter trailed behind with 901 points, making Salaam's victory unmistakable.
The impact of Salaam's 1994 season transcended statistics or trophies; it etched its way deep within the fabric of college football history. The performances he delivered during this campaign not only won fame but ushered Colorado's Buffaloes back to prominence. His legacy continues to evoke emotions and inspire conversations surrounding the impact of running backs on the game.
Fans and future college players still reference Salaam's 1994 season whenever the Heisman is awarded to another talent, particularly those from Colorado. Because every mention of the prestigious accolade brings with it the storied history of Rashaan Salaam, who not only achieved greatness but elevated the profile of college football itself, serving as the benchmark for aspiring athletes hoping to carve out their own legacies.
Rashaan Salaam's remarkable run has forever enshrined him within Colorado's sports history, proving to be more than just statistics or awards—he symbolizes the very spirit of perseverance and excellence on and off the field.
