Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Open Spring with Energy, Emotion and Purpose
March 06, 2026 | Football
BOULDER — The Colorado Buffaloes concluded the first week of spring football with a spirited third practice Friday, the first full pads workout of the spring and another step forward as the program continues to process the loss of teammate Dominiq Ponder.
Head coach Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders said the team is balancing grief with the responsibility to keep moving forward together.
"We got to keep going," Coach Prime said. "We going to love him, we going to appreciate him, we going to uplift him, we going to support the family, friends and loved ones. But we got to keep going."
Colorado held a candlelight vigil earlier in the week on Folsom Field to honor Ponder. Memorial services are scheduled for Saturday at the Glenn Miller Ballroom, located in the UMC.
Sanders said the loss has affected the entire program, especially players who may be experiencing grief for the first time.
"It doesn't make you soft for a man to cry," Coach Prime said. "It doesn't make you soft for a man to show his emotions. I want them to do that so they feel it."
Veteran punter Damon "Mate II" Greaves said the team has leaned on each other throughout the week.
"It's certainly been a very tough few days," Greaves said. "But the support we have around us with the coaches and support staff, we couldn't be more thankful for that. The guys have really embraced each other."
On the field, the Buffs turned the focus back to football.
Friday marked Colorado's first full pads practice of the spring, and the tempo was evident across both sides of the ball. Running backs attacked holes with authority, defenders delivered contact, and the pace of practice reflected the competitiveness that has defined early spring sessions.
The speed and explosiveness of the roster stood out throughout the workout, particularly among Colorado's influx of new players.
"These practices have been phenomenal," Coach Prime said. "The energy of the coaching staff has been extraordinary, and the support staff all around has been so helpful. I'm really thankful for what I see right now."
Colorado also enters the season with a revamped coaching staff led by offensive coordinator Brendan Marion and defensive coordinator Chris Marve.
Sanders said his goal when assembling the staff was to find leaders capable of running their units with authority.
"You're mainly looking for coordinators that have that head coach feel," Coach Prime said. "I want them to be the head coach of the offense, the head coach of the defense. Someone to lead that charge."
The collective experience of the group is significant. Coach Prime noted the staff brings 293 years of coaching experience and 192 years at the college level, along with decades of professional playing and coaching experience.
"I really feel as though we have the best staff that has been assembled in my tenure," Coach Prime said.
Early impressions from spring practices have also reinforced optimism about Colorado's revamped roster.
Coach Prime pointed to the competitiveness and unity developing across position groups, particularly on offense.
"It's a much better room," Coach Prime said of the wide receivers. "They blend together, but they got that thing about them. They're not jealous of one another. They love the practice. They love the work."
The Buffs are installing Marion's up tempo Go-Go offensive system, a scheme that Sanders said consistently produced one key benchmark.
"Thirty points per game is our threshold," Coach Prime said. "When we score 30 points per game we win. When we don't, we lose."
As spring practice continues, Coach Prime said Ponder's impact on the program will not be forgotten.
The team plans to wear a commemorative patch on their jerseys this season.
"He will be appreciated," Coach Prime said. "You will understand his presence this season because he was a vital part of this team."
For now, Colorado's approach remains simple: lean on one another, honor their teammate and continue the work.
"This ain't no joke," Coach Prime said. "But those kids have been wonderful. They've been mature and they've supported each other."
Colorado continues spring practices next week as the Buffs prepare for the annual Black and Gold Spring Game at Folsom Field.
Fans wanting to get a first glimpse of the 2026 Colorado Buffaloes football team can claim tickets now for the annual AT&T Black & Gold Day on April 11.
Football season tickets are on sale now and fans are encouraged to lock in their seats for six exciting games at iconic Folsom Field this fall. Be a part of the pageantry and excitement of one of the most unique college football atmospheres in the country by getting your tickets today!
