BOULDER — While engaged in practice on Dec. 23, 1990, disaster struck for Colorado’s offense when wide receiver Mike Pritchard was accidentally kicked in the hand by a teammate. A mere nine days before the Buffs were set to appear in the Orange Bowl, the CU star suffered a broken finger.
Doctors said the metacarpal would require 6 to 8 weeks for full healing and function. Pritchard didn’t have that kind of time. The game of his life, and his finale as a Colorado Buffalo, was set to happen Jan. 1, whether Pritchard was ready or not. It was his last chance to avenge the prior year’s Orange Bowl loss, also against Notre Dame.