Colorado University Athletics
BUFFS SET SIGHTS ON STRONG FINISH TO SEASON
BOULDER ? As the University of Colorado football team (4-6, 2-4 Big 12) hits the final stretch in its season of conference play, the Buffs remain locked in on achieving one thing and one thing only ? the chance to play in a bowl game.
With two games remaining on the schedule, CU feels it has gained some much-needed confidence after earning a 21-16 victory this past weekend over a ranked Missouri squad. Knowing they must now take that newfound poise and turn it into momentum for a final run, the Buffs believe they can win out and put themselves in a position to earn a bowl bid.
“That’s the No.1 goal right now,” said senior linebacker Sean Tufts. “We all want to go to a bowl, and the only way we can have the chance of doing that is by beating our last two opponents.”
First up for the Buffs comes a test from an Iowa State team that many CU players believe to be much better than numbers imply. Though the Cyclones stand 0-5 in Big 12 play (2-7 overall), the Buffs realize they must remain completely focused, and treat every game as if it will be the last. Without this mentality, Colorado knows it’ll be sidelined at home for the holidays.
“I will be happy to leave with (a) 6-6 (record),” senior center Marwan Hage stated Monday afternoon. “We’re going step by step as always. Next up is Iowa State. We know if we go 2-for-2 in these next games, then we’ll have a chance to play in a bowl. Iowa State is just the next step to where we want to go, and we have to focus on that.”
Though the season hasn’t gone exactly as they had planned, CU’s seniors couldn’t think of a better way to end their careers than by playing in a bowl game. While it would have been nicer to finish with a winning record, many veteran Buffs realize that a .500 slate is an achievement in itself, given how tough the season has been.
“If we win out, then we know that we’ve finished our careers on a good note,” senior cornerback Phil Jackson added Monday. “Right now, we’re just trying to play well enough so 6-6 will get us over the hump. If we get the chance to go to a bowl, then we’ll take advantage of it.”
Even the younger Buffs recognize they are playing for something special ? something that they owe to their older teammates who have guided CU through the hard times this year.
“(The seniors) deserve it first and foremost,” sophomore quarterback Joel Klatt stated. “So, we want to get them to a bowl. They have been the leaders of this team and done a lot for this program. They deserve (a good ending) more than anybody.”
Practice Notes: Head coach Gary Barnett officially announced that sophomore Chris Hollis has made the switch from linebacker to defensive end. Hollis, who first saw some action at the new position against Texas Tech, has helped add speed and depth to the defensive line, in a move that Barnett called “natural” for the 6-foot-1, 235-pounder.