Colorado University Athletics
CU SENIORS HYPED UP FOR HUSKER CHALLENGE
BOULDER ? Come Friday, when the University of Colorado football team hosts No. 25/23 Nebraska (10:00 a.m., ABC), the Buffaloes senior classmen will have the chance to do something that no other senior class has accomplished sine 1961 ? beat the Huskers three times during their CU careers.
Realizing that Friday’s showdown could possibly be the last game they will play in the black and gold, the Buffs’ seniors are primed to make sure that their season does not end on a sour note. Should CU (5-6, 3-4 Big 12) beat Nebraska (8-3, 4-3 Big 12) for the third time in a row, the Buffs will be eligible for a bowl game, which every senior states is the proper way to end a strong career.
Knowing that the success of the 2003 campaign hinges on a victory over the Huskers, the senior class couldn’t think of a more exciting way to earn a bowl bid than by beating its cross-state rival. A “red-letter” game circled on Colorado’s schedule every season, the Buffs feel they have prepared well for the face-off, and are now primed to salvage a sub par year.
“It’s Nebraska,” declared senior center Marwan Hage. “We hate them and they hate us. It means a lot coming out with a win over Nebraska, especially as a senior. We know that this game can place us in an elite group in Buffalo history, but more important, get us to a bowl game.”
While Nebraska may not consider Colorado a legit rival, the Buffs have certainly given the Huskers many reasons to change that position over the past two years. Though NU leads the all-time count 43-16-2, the Buffs have made strong headway on tightening the large gap in a series that has included many close games. After scorching Nebraska for a record 62 points in CU’s march to the Big 12 Championship in 2001, the Buffs went into Lincoln in 2002 and came away with their first victory (28-13) there since 1990.
Now, CU would once again like to add more fuel to the rivalry’s inferno, as the Buffs will seek to beat the Huskers for the third consecutive time since 1958. Having completed practices during the week that head coach Gary Barnett has referred to as “really good" with good energy and preparation,” the Buffs ? and especially seniors ? are geared up for their final game at Folsom.
“This is a pretty emotional week,” senior wide out John Donahoe stated Monday. “For the seniors, this might be our last game. We don’t want that at all. This is our last home game, and it’s also the big Nebraska game. There is no question that this is something huge that we’ll be ready for.”
“It will be a wonderful atmosphere (Friday),” senior safety Medford Moorer added. “It will be all about going out there and making sure everybody does things right to get the job done. Whether (a bowl bid) is on the line or not, this is a big game for us. It just happens that this game will decide our fate.”
Fixated on extending the season and getting to a bowl game, the Buff seniors are not alone in their quest to overcome the Huskers. Knowing that the extra bowl practices and overall win would aid the development of the CU program for seasons to come, many underclassman have also zoned in on achieving the win.
“We feel like (the seniors) deserve a bowl game,” sophomore quarterback Joel Klatt stated. “They’ve had a great career here and done so many important things to make this program successful. We want to send them off properly and ensure that we continue to do things right here.”
Added Barnett: “There haven’t been many teams to beat (Nebraska) three times in a row, but that’s not the important thing right now; we’re just trying to get to a bowl and put ourselves in a position to end with success.”
Tuesday Practice Notes: Barnett said junior receiver Ron Monteilh (shoulder) “looked good today” and should be available to play Friday. Freshman cornerback Terrence Wheatley (shoulder) also practiced, and will be available.
The Buffs and Huskers will kick off at 10:00 a.m. MST on Friday, with Keith Jackson (play-by-play), Dan Fouts (color) and Todd Harris (sidelines) calling the action.