Spruce, Fellow CU Seniors Aim For Special Folsom Finale

BOULDER — When 14 Colorado seniors run out onto the Folsom Field turf one last time Friday night for the Buffs' game against USC (7 p.m., ESPN2), they'll have four or five — and in one case, six — years' worth of memories.

But there's no doubt the majority of them would like to make their last Folsom appearance the first in their memory banks.

Count CU wide receiver Nelson Spruce, a player who has certainly enjoyed his share of big moments, squarely in that group.

Spruce is the all-time CU and Pac-12 leader in receptions (272), CU's all-time leader in yards (3,022), and with 21 touchdown receptions, needs just one more to tie Scotty McKnight for the school record in that department.

But for all of Spruce's accomplishments, he can't name a particularly memorable moment at Folsom, one that stands out above the rest.

“Not one that sticks out,” Spruce said earlier this week. “That's why I'm trying to make this one special. One big win, especially in my last home game, would be awesome.”

Spruce is one of just five seniors expected to be in the starting lineup Friday night, joining left tackle Stephane Nembot, cornerback Ken Crawley, nose tackle Justin Solis and free safety Jered Bell.

Other Buffs making their last appearance in Folsom will be offensive linemen Vincent Arvia and Ed Caldwell; fullbacks Jordan Murphy and John Finch; wide receiver Colin Johnson; defensive back Marques Mosley; running back Christian Powell; linebacker Hunter Shaw; long snapper Wyatt Tucker Smith; and defensive lineman John Paul Tuso.

The game will also mark the final contest behind the microphone for legendary radio broadcaster Larry Zimmer, who will celebrate his birthday by calling the final CU game of his career. Zimmer's career has spanned a half-century of football, including 42 years with the Buffs.

For Bell, his final game at Folsom will signal the end of a six-year marathon, a career extended by two redshirt years due to injury. A freshman in 2010 under Dan Hawkins, he has played for three different head coaches with the Buffs.

“(There have) been a lot of ups and down and things, especially for me and the things that I've seen,” Bell said. “A lot of people that weren't part of it before can't see it. For me, I've seen the program go up and down. And now it's back up again, rising. The fans, they are supporting us and not leaving after the second quarter any more. The overall unity of the team has been increasing; it is more of a family now. It's been a change for the better, this past year.”

Making this Senior Night a bit of a rarity is that the Buffs still have at least two more games after the home finale.

“Folsom Field will be like the end of a chapter,” Nembot said. “But now, we are still trying to maybe win those three games and we can go to a bowl game. That's what's on my mind.”

Added Spruce: “Obviously I'm going to cherish this night, but we've got to come back and have two more games. But it's still going to be special, regardless.”

If there is one favorite memory that is almost unanimous among the seniors — and likely among most players who have played for the Buffs in the last 50 years — it is that of running into the stadium behind Ralphie, CU's mascot.

“Since I've been a little kid I've been dreaming of playing Pac-12 football and being able to run out in front of thousands of fans,” Spruce said. “What I think is the best mascot in the country, it's really special.”

Asked to name what memories he will take with him, Nembot was quick to answer:

“Running behind Ralphie,” Nembot said. “The camaraderie I have with my teammates. The coaches, how they call everybody 'son' on the team. I will miss everybody, obviously.”

The players will be recognized before the game. Zimmer will be honored with a special celebration between the first and second quarters.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu