It didn’t matter to Cliff Branch where he finished, because the team always came first.
When he played football for the University of Colorado and coach Eddie Crowder in 1970 and 1971, he rolled up his sleeves and went to work in an offense that didn’t maximize his talents.
Crowder had learned his football at the University of Oklahoma in the days of the “3 yards and a cloud of dust” offense. The Buffs didn’t pass much when Branch played, resulting in only occasional opportunities to display his pass-receiving skills that later became famous with the NFL’s Oakland Raiders.
So Branch turned his speed and talent to returning kicks. He set an NCAA record for career touchdowns on kick returns with eight, six of them on punt returns. He remains tied for the record with four others (Johnny Rodgers, who played at Nebraska from 1970-72; Derek Abney, Kentucky, 2000-03; Hawaii’s Chad Owens, 2001-04; and Troy’s Leodis McKelvin, 2004-07).
Branch recalled a conversation with Crowder years later when his coach blamed himself for not adapting the offense more to Branch’s abilities. Branch did score five rushing touchdowns on 31 total attempts and three receiving TDs on 36 total catches. Crowder quickly learned of Branch’s priorities.
“I said, ‘Coach, we finished as the third-ranked team in the nation,’ ” Branch said. “We can’t look back on that now. I’m proud of what I did, and I’m proud of you.”
Branch also was a sprinter on CU’s track and field team. He put CU on the map at the 1972 NCAA championships in Eugene, Ore., when he ran 10.0 in the 100 meters and gained a share of the NCAA record at the time.
Branch, Larry Brunson, George Daniels and Marcus Walker also teamed to give coach Don Meyers one of the top 4×100-meter relay teams in the country. Brunson went on to play for the Broncos, and Daniels is the coach of the Ghana national track team.
On May 16-18, the Big 12 Conference track and field championships are scheduled at CU’s Frank Potts Field. Branch expects to make one of his many visits to his alma mater to attend the meet.
“When I decided to come to CU, I had no reservations,” Branch said. “It was the best choice for me, and I was tremendously happy to come to Boulder.”
Branch played at CU for two years, but didn’t waste time.
He was a first-team All American by the Football News. He won the Zack Jordan Award as CU’s MVP in 1971. He set school records in track and field in the 100 meters and as a member of two relay teams, one in the outdoor season and one in the indoor season.
Branch was recognized as part of CU’s all-century football team. It is a fourth-place finish he holds close to his heart.
“There was Bobby Anderson, Joe Romig and Whizzer White ahead of me, and I was fourth in the voting,” Branch said. “That put me in tremendous company.”
Of the four, Branch is the only one not from Colorado.
“We just had a complete team in football,” Branch said. “We were two deep at about every position. I was hoping to be drafted by the Denver Broncos, but (coach) Lou Saban didn’t see me as a pass receiver.”
Branch was drafted in the fourth round by the Raiders and played there his entire career from 1972-85. His team won three Super Bowls and played in seven AFC championship games, and he was named first-team all-pro three times. Branch finished his career with 501 receptions for 8,685 yards and 67 touchdowns.
One of his best memories is a 41-13 victory over Penn State at Folsom Field, ending the Nittany Lions’ 31-game winning streak.
“There’s no question in my mind that if he (Branch) played college football today, he’d be a top Heisman Trophy candidate,” Crowder said. “He was the most remarkable kick returner I’ve seen. It got to the point that every time we were going to receive a kick, everyone in the stadium would stand up in anticipation.
“Because of what he did in both sports, he’s clearly one of CU’s top two-sport athletes of all time.”
Cliff Branch bio
Born: Aug. 1, 1948, Houston
High School: Worthing High School, Houston, 1964-67
Colleges: Wharton J.C., Wharton, Texas, 1967-69; Colorado, 1969-72
Family: Mother Hattie, son Brent
Hobbies: Celebrity golf tournaments, charity work for the Raiders. He resides in the Bay Area.
Wishes: Returning to Boulder for a football game each year. Hopes to see CU-Texas this fall.
