THE SIDELINES : Fans Would Overturn Colorado’s 5th-Down Victory, Letters Show

If fans could vote, Colorado might have to forfeit its controversial fifth-down victory over Missouri.

In the weeks after the Oct. 6 game, Colorado Coach Bill McCartney and other school officials received hundreds of angry letters from people who felt the Buffaloes were wrong to accept the tainted win.

About 90% of the letters were opposed to Colorado’s decision, said school spokesman Dave Plati.

“Some of them were really vicious,” Plati said. “They used a lot of expletives.”

Someone from Missouri sent a fax to McCartney, a devout Christian who frequently talks about the importance of ethics and values. “It said, ‘Would Jesus have granted Moses a fifth down?’ ” Plati said.

Confusion by the officials gave Colorado an extra down at the end of the Missouri game, and the Buffaloes scored on the play to beat the Tigers, 33-31. The victory was upheld by the Big Eight, and McCartney defended the decision.