We are 65 days away from college football kickoff. This week is flying by and we are halfway through the 60s. As the countdown keeps rolling on. Today, we have Andre Gurode a Colorado Buffalo and Steve DeLong a Tennessee Volunteer. Be sure to check back tomorrow for #64 in our countdown to kickoff. Enjoy!
Andre Gurode Days Away From College Football Kickoff
Colorado HOF
Andre Gurode played four years at Colorado and started 41 games for the team. In his senior year in 2001, he was named first-team All-American by the Associated Press, ABC Sports Online, CNN-SI.com, NEA, and The Sporting News.Football News gave him honorable mention. Gurode was on the watch lists for both the Outland and Lombardi awards, but did not reach the semifinals since selections were made after only eight games. Unfortunately, two of his best games, against Nebraska and Texas, were nationally televised after the awards lists were narrowed.
Gurode was a unanimous first-team All-Big 12 selection, and he was a unanimous first-team All-Big 12 pick and helped Colorado average over 200 yards both rushing and passing that season, something the team had only done twice before. He led the Buffs with 112 domination blocks, 21 touchdown blocks, 14 great pass protection plays, and 48 downfield blocks. Gurode allowed just half a sack and one pressure on passing plays. The coaches gave him the Derek Singleton Award for his spirit, dedication, and enthusiasm. Gurode made first-team All-Big 12 as a junior and senior, and won the John Mack Award as CU’s top offensive player in his junior year. He played both guard and center during his career. He twice received the Joe Romig Award as the top offensive lineman in spring drills in 2000 and 2001. Gurode is one of 26 players whose jerseys have been honored at Folsom Field. Gurode graduated from CU in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in Ethnic Studies and a minor in Psychology, and was named to the Academic All-Big 12 team.
Gurode was drafted in the second round by Dallas in 2002 (37th overall) and played 161 NFL games, starting 131, with Dallas, Baltimore, Chicago, and Oakland. He was an All-Pro center with Dallas from 2007 to 2010. After retiring, he began coaching, first as a defensive line assistant for the Cowboys, then as run game coordinator and offensive line coach for the Houston Roughnecks in the XFL. In 2020, he was named to the Cowboys’ Top 60 Roster of all-time players. He is now the offensive line coach at Colorado.
Another Great # 65, Steve DeLong, Tennessee
Steve DeLong was Tennessee’s middle guard on defense from 1962 to 1964. He made the Associated Press all-sophomore team in 1962, was named Southeastern Conference defensive lineman of the year three times from 1962 to 1964, and earned All-America honors in 1963 and 1964. During those seasons, Tennessee’s records were 4-6, 5-5, and 4-5-1.
In 1964, DeLong, who stood 6-foot-3 and weighed 243 pounds, won the Outland Trophy as the nation’s top interior
lineman. He was also named Lineman of the Year by both the Columbus and Birmingham Touchdown Clubs and was voted Most Valuable Player in the Senior Bowl. That same year, he served as captain for both the Tennessee team and the East team in the East-West Shrine Bowl. In 1968, a panel of experts selected him for an all-time Southeastern Conference team covering 1933 to 1967.
In 1990, fans voted him onto Tennessee’s all-time team, which spanned 100 years of football from 1890 to 1989. Steve’s son, Keith, played linebacker at Tennessee, was captain and an All-America in 1988, and was also chosen for the “100 Years of Volunteers” team in 1990. Steve’s brother, Ken, played at Tennessee from 1967 to 1969. After college, Steve DeLong played defensive end for the San Diego Chargers and Chicago Bears in the NFL from 1965 to 1972.
Editor’s Note: The countdown to college football kickoff has been a series on the Last Word on College Football social media platforms for the past 9 years. They consisted of a photo and a small blurb for each player, with the jersey corresponding to the number of days until kickoff. The rank of the players is sourced from articles by Bleacher Report, Fox Sports, and The Athletic. There are also some favorite players of the Last Word on College Football writers. Their bios are sourced from multiple online sources, including but not limited to the College Football Hall of Fame, their Heisman profiles, and school websites.
Main Photo: Courtesy of Colorado Athletics
