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Colorado seniors set for Folsom finale
15 Buffs will play final home game Saturday vs. OSU
Five years gone. For some, just four. It has been a marathon and a sprint all at the same time.
Colorado fullback Maurice Cantrell recalls a summer day in 2004 when he and other members of the 2004 recruiting class checked in to the College Inn in Boulder preparing to report for their first training camp in black and gold. Only five of those players remain on the team today, though others exhausted their eligibility last year.
Cantrell, Patrick Williams, Daniel Sanders, Ryan Walters and Brad Jones. They are as close as brothers.
Cantrell was a linebacker then with hopes of crushing running backs and quarterbacks and leading the team in tackles for coach Gary Barnett. When he plays his final home game at Folsom Field on Saturday against No. 13 Oklahoma State, he will be blocking for running backs and quarterbacks and hoping coach Dan Hawkins, a former fullback himself, will give him a chance to get his hands on the ball a time or two.
The journey has been arduous but special for a senior class defined by a collective steadiness in handling its work and a family feel on and off the field. Not every senior class is close, and most certainly aren’t as a tight as these 15 Buffs.
“Camaraderie,” Cantrell said when asked what defines the group. “All the seniors, especially the class of 2004, we definitely went through a lot. Coaching changes, redshirting. We lean on each other a lot. I don’t know the next time I’ll be around this many guys who are my close friends.”
The majority of the group came to CU from California, but there are a few sprinkled in from others parts of the country. Linebacker Brad Jones came to Boulder from outside Detroit in East Lansing, Mich. He remains the same fun-loving young man he was when he arrived, but he is changed, too, by the influences of friendships built on and off the football field.
“I can literally say that every single guy who is a senior this year is one of my closest friends,” Jones said.
Colorado coach Dan Hawkins piled praise on the first two groups of seniors he has coached in Boulder the past two years. He hasn’t been the same in public with this group, perhaps, because he knows they don’t need it. Hawkins appreciates their maturity and describes them as quiet leaders who play hurt and do whatever is asked of them.
“I think in any organization, consistency is a big, big deal and so many of those guys, to me, are like that. ... You know what you’re getting every day,” Hawkins said.
While Cantrell takes a business-as-usual approach to his final home game, other CU seniors admit they are likely to be emotional about their final 60 minutes on Folsom Field.
“I’ve thought a lot about it,” Lucas said. “Basically, I just want to go out in style, making big plays and being remembered for the good things I’ve done.
“I have no regrets. I’ve gone through my whole college career doing everything I always wanted to do and doing everything right. I’m happy about this.”
The senior class has made its biggest impact on defense, where seven of its members start or play on a regular basis. Free safety Ryan Walters leads the team in tackles. Linebacker Brad Jones leads the team in sacks. Linemen George Hypolite, Brandon Nicolas and Maurice Lucas have played a majority of the snaps over the past three seasons together and safety D.J. Dykes made the game-saving tackle in a win just last week.
“Everybody in this senior class brings something different. Everybody has their own little quirk that they bring to the table,” Jones said. “We’ve played together so long, it’s like we work very, very well together. It’s like the United States. It’s like we’re a melting pot.”
Cantrell, center Dan Sanders and wide receivers Cody Crawford and Patrick Williams are the only regular contributors on offense, where the season has been a long with a lot of building moments for younger players.
The 2008 senior class hopes to play its final game together in December in a bowl game in Texas, Louisiana or maybe even Arizona. The Buffs have to find a way to win one of their final two games to make it happen.
“We’ve got two games promised and we’re working on that third one,” Williams said.
One of those seniors will be summoned to the area just behind the home bench after Saturday’s game where fans in section 119 will present him the Buffalo Heart Award. The honor has been given to one player every year since 1998. Fans vote for the player who exemplifies heart, grit, determination and desire on and off the field.
The award is not confined to seniors, but always seems to be given to one after the final home game of his career. Players such as Jordon Dizon, Joel Klatt and Cortlen Johnson have been honored in the past, and this group of seniors has plenty of worthy candidates.
Longtime CU fan Pat Grimes and several friends founded the award in 1998 and pay for the cost (usually about $17) each year.
“I hope it makes that final walk back into the locker room a good one,” Grimes once said.
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Posted by Ralphie2 on November 14, 2008 at 5:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you seniors! Let's go out with a win!
GO BUFFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by StopTheInsanity on November 14, 2008 at 7:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
vk,
Other than being a dyed-in-the-wool Buff fan, what possible rationale can you offer for predicting a 35 point CU win over NU? Your prediction last week of a 35 point KU win over NU missed by "just a tad". Your exuberance is admirable, but jeez, man, put down the kool aid and throw in a bit or reality to the situation.
Posted by ChicagoBuffsFan on November 14, 2008 at 7:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GO BUFFS!!!!
Posted by kimolukela on November 14, 2008 at 7:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Way to stick it out Seniors! Your presence will be missed! Let's go Buff's!
Posted by BuffTime on November 14, 2008 at 8:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't have a vote, but if I did I would pick Ryan Walters for the Buffalo Heart trophy this year. He has played hurt every game. Goes out for a play or two and comes back in banging it up and creating chaos on defense. He exemplifies true Buffalo Heart in every sense!
Go Buffs!
Posted by BuffSteve on November 14, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nepa you crack me up. Thanks for spicing up these boards a little bit. I don't always agree with what you write but it's fun to read your posts and often you do make very valid points. Even if there are those on here who can't take off their black and gold-colored glasses.
Go Buffs!
Posted by smokey on November 14, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Fish, no one has been too upset about the defensive play (no more so than at many programs around the country). The woes are obviously on offense, where barnett left an empty cabinet (unless you consider evan judge the greatest mis-used talent ever). And also on special teams, which points to a lack of depth. Dead wrong about Hawkins inheriting a "foundation". Defensively MAYBE, but overall. Not a chance. As I've said before, I don't like the 6, 7, 8-year rebuilding anymore than you do - but you can't change the past. Just keep building that future.
BTW - is anyone else wondering what's been holding hypolite back this year? I know he's garnering the double and even triple teams, but nicholas is no slouch either. I figured Hyp for a breakout year, but it almost seems like I've only heard his name a handful of times. I guess those triple teams have made for a breakout year for Jones.
Posted by montanabuff on November 14, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Looking back at the 2003 recruiting class, it's interesting to note that Ryan Walters was the highest rated member of the class, and he was rated as a three star .... quarterback.
Williams, Cantrell, and Jones were two stars, and Daniel Sanders was a one star recruit.
If you look at most elite teams, you will be looking at 10-12 fifth year seniors contributing. The cupboard may not have been bare for Hawkins, but it was not a feast, either.
Hats off to this year's senior class. Thanks for the memories. Buffs for life!
Go Buffs!
http://www.cuatthegame.com - Okie State preview posted!
Posted by DCBuff on November 14, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm with you bufftime, I hope Walters gets the award as well. That guy has played no matter what and used is body as a projectile against opponents throughout his career. Let's go seniors and chalk up a "W" tomorrow!! Go Buffs!!
Posted by westernbuff1 on November 14, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am proud of these seniors. They came in as boys and are leaving as men. Men who have withstood some really tough times both on and off the field. I don't believe any individual serving our country could be closer than these young men. Hats off to you all - you have battled and battled and battled some more. You have never given in...
Thank you for providing all of us with so much pleasure every Saturday in Autumn!
GO BUFFS!!!
GO SENIORS!!
Posted by rswright on November 14, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you seniors. Your school, fans and alums are proud of you.
Posted by HorizonBuff99 on November 14, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks Seniors for all the hard work and dedication you have given over your 4-5 years here the spirit of the buffalo will be with you always. Lets go get at least one more and get a shot at a bowl bid boys!!!! GO BUFFS!!!!
Posted by BuffTime on November 14, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
westernbuff1, sorry, but no sports team comes close to the connection that men and women who serve in combat together have. It is on a whole other plain.
But this is a tight bunch for sure.
Let's go out with a winning season! Beat BOTH OSU and the cream and go to a nice bowl game some place warm and have a story to tell your kids (how you and your class led a young bunch of Buffalos off on a great run!
Posted by BuffTime on November 14, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Either someone hijacked nepa's ID or he has been drinking heavily... Something just isn't natural...
Posted by buffalo_flyer on November 14, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
this board is getting creepy
Posted by buffalo_flyer on November 14, 2008 at 12:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
is there any sort of middle ground for you?, maybe you ought to look into meds
Posted by buff4life on November 14, 2008 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
...settle down nepa, you sound even more like a "schmuck" when you scream....actually you just continue sounding like a whiney, sorry, pathetic, buff-stalking, moron........the more you "post" dumbsh*t the more we laugh.....it must be close to end of the season cuz your "posts" suck even more now...give it a rest..why dont you and your silly husker girlfriends in here go play somwhere else for awhile...dont you girls get sick of getting laughed at everyday??....
Posted by montanabuff on November 14, 2008 at 1:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Since nepa has gone around the bend, perhaps we can discuss a little football ....
Encouraging: OSU is 110th in the nation in pass defense, and just 84th in total defense. The Buffs should be able to score.
Discouraging: OSU has been held under 30 points only three times all season (and one of those games was a 28-23 win over Missouri). CU will have to score at every opportunity.
The Buffs haven't had a non-offensive touchdown since week two against Eastern Washington. It's going to take a punt, kickoff, interception or blocked kick return for a score to help keep this one close.
Go Buffs!
http://www.cuatthegame.com
Posted by Saheeb on November 14, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Do we truly have ZERO official visitors for our last home game of the season? If so, that's a bit surprising, I would say. Anyone know if this is the case....?
Posted by BuffTime on November 14, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here's a link to a nice piece on Ryan Walters from the DP. Good strong Buffalo Heart beats in that man.
http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_1...
Posted by extrapoint on November 14, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The question is, Dr. Sarcasm, can Gumby, (whoops thats Felini's nickname) keep it up every game of the season. Will OSU be a little flaccid after 2 losses in a row?
Speaking o nicknames, I like the one your old man has for you, "neepad"
Posted by phibuffa on November 14, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Not that I have one, but my vote for Buffalo Heart Award would go to either Walters or the Rabid Goldfish (Hypolite).
I am going against my better judgment and predicting the Buffs to get a scad of turnovers, Scott to pick up his first 100 yard game, Cody to get 3 TDs and the Buffs pull off a major upset tomorrow. CU 31 OSU 30
Here are the other scores I have seen:
vkberlinn Buffs by 7 (do you have a score, VK?)
Nepabuff OSU 75 Buffs 0 (based on an email earlier in the week)
Posted by extrapoint on November 14, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Has to be Walters (slamdunk)
Posted by extrapoint on November 14, 2008 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Buffs cant pisss around for a half and expect to win this one. They have to play a full 60 minutes.
Once again the load is going to be on the D. They especially cant go to sleep in the waning minutes of the game.
I sense a bit more urgency on the Buffs part and a little sense of the feeling of the season being over for OSU after being undefeated for so long.
No score predictions. That is for people who play in fantasy leagues. I will say Buffs by 4. Which is probably a jinx.
Posted by BuffTime on November 14, 2008 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Even if he weren't a senior (which the award isn't limited to) how could you NOT give it to Walters after the year he has had?
Every game I have watched he has impressed with his play, his grit, and his fire even after going off for a play or two from yet another shoulder stinger? He comes right back in with just as much intensity. Gotta love his Buffalo heart!
Posted by BuffulanceMan on November 14, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm looking for Chap' to get a pick six this game & make up (in a BIG way) for one or two he missed way earlier in the year.
We've got to stop the run on 1st down and blitz on passing downs. That's the only way I see us stopping them. They don't have a good offense. They have a great offense. As in Missouri great. Is our D up to the task? Indeed, but they'll need help from our offense.
With the O, it always starts and ends, at least this year, with the embattled line. Given the pathetic group that is called the OSU defense, I look for CU, and it's line, to have it's best game, really all year. I think they'll open holes for DS & Sumler & will protect Cody as well as can be expected. It will be up to Cody to check down on the blitz packages they throw at him and hit the open guy. AND NOT TO THROW A PICK. He must be aware of where every defender is before the ball is snapped.
What's crazy is that we're 5-5, have played god-awful at times this year, playing the #13 team in the country and this game is toally winnable. I've seen us hang with Texas, beat WVU, and beat ourselves against FSU & A&M. If our line blocks & Cody plays like it's 2007 against Texas Tech, with nothing to lose, we'll be in it in the 4th quarter. Which is all you need when you're at home in front of 50K screaming fans at night on national TV for senior night and a bowl game on the line. If we're w/in a TD under 5 mins to play, we win.
CU 28 OSU 27. Goodman wins it with an EP off the upright.
Posted by BuffNut99 on November 14, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I sense CU will score a non-offensive TD tomorrow night, maybe a pick-6 early on...
And I hope it's COLD come gametime, that would even the odds some.
Go Buffs! Shock the world!
Posted by buffalo_flyer on November 14, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Per the media guide, this offensive line has been together for the entire Big-12 schedule. Im jumping on the improvement bandwagon
Posted by markf on November 14, 2008 at 4:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
wish all you want...pokes by 14
Posted by Black_Rob on November 14, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bizarro Nepa?
Since it's opposite day... "I love you Nepa. Please, don't ever get a real hobby and leave this website!"
Posted by BuffTime on November 14, 2008 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Per the media guide, this offensive line has been together for the entire Big-12 schedule. Im jumping on the improvement bandwagon"
I gotta say, I'm really looking forward to the position battles that will be red hot for next year on the O-line!
Posted by mgmtgrad on November 14, 2008 at 6:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Line up Cody, Hansen and DS in the back field and hike the ball directly to one or the other while mixings up rushing, screens and short 5-6 yards play action passes.
I'd like to see a DC adjust to two QBs and a RB in the backfield. One QB is a running threat and the other threw 4 TD passes in one half last week. Yes, I know those 4 TDs were against IU.
Two completely different types of QBs in the backfield with a RB, who do you key on?
Posted by BuffTime on November 14, 2008 at 8:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree mgmtgrad. Both Cody and Tyler could potentially pass it to each other, and Scotty McKnight had a decent pass to DS earlier in the season too.
Hansen or direct snap to DS could be a running play, but then as stated, Hansen can pass too.
Not handing off to DS does not mean he won't be out there to catch.
Also mixing in multi-back sets with both DS and Summler in at the same time with a FB to block could mean a pass to either Summler, DS, or the FB. It could mean a run by any of the three too. Or a pass to someone else. If only one of the RBs could pass well enough you could change things up in so many ways and still be relatively simple in your formations and executions.
Posted by sfbuff on November 14, 2008 at 8:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Marcus J - nice to see you weighing in again. Been a while. Love the misdirection approach, too bad Helfrich is calling the plays
Nepa - PTSD is treatable, you need to look into some help.
If the Buffs can hang around and play with these guys in the first half, they will win. If OSU rips us early, it's over. There will be no come back on this team. But if we can just hang in there... look out upset.
Posted by GoBuffs1 on November 14, 2008 at 9:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We want real Buff Fans to post to this message board. I am tried of all the negative talk. Coach Hawkins is the best coach for Colorado Football. This man goes to elementary schools in the off season to talk to the young students. This will eventually build a strong foundation. Trust me, I am from the South. All little kids think about is playing for Georgia Football. There is no reason not to have the same expectations. Give Coach Hawkins a break. The media virtually disroyed our recruiting,e.g. Rick Reilly. Hawkins is building this back from the ground up. Colorado football does not need negativety. We are going to make mistakes, but we need to continue to support Colorado Football. I was in school from 1989 thru 1993, and expectations were low. But the team and the students believed. That is what we need now. Support the seniors and support Colorado football!
Posted by BuffTime on November 14, 2008 at 9:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hanging with them for the first half will not be enough. The Buffs this year have come out flat in the third quarter too many times. They need to come out and punch them in the mouths again right after halftime in case they forgot that there was a fight going on. CU did that in the last game and they need to do it in this game too.
If CU is in it going into the 4th quarter they will pull it out. I feel it. They will not let it get away from them that late into the game.
The offense needs to come out attacking the OSU defense and the Buff defense needs to come out attacking the OSU offense. No let down. Make both squads want to get off the field and dread going back onto it every series. That is how the Buffs will win.
Posted by BuffTime on November 14, 2008 at 9:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
From CNN (regarding the Nebraska "safe haven" law, but funny from our perspective);
Governor: "Please don't bring your teenager to Nebraska"
That's right folks. Please, don't let your babies grow up to be Huskers.
Posted by lobobuff on November 14, 2008 at 9:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Seniors, for yourselves, tomorrow night is first night of the rest of your life. Enjoy it. For myself, so long guys. Thanks for the memories.
Posted by buff4life on November 14, 2008 at 10:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
....in a previous 'time period', the species of "BUFFALO" was almost driven to 'extinction' by the indians and the white man, however, the "BUFFALO" species proved strong and survived, even overcoming the harsh, cold colorado winters......today, "bonding" together, and only by SHOULDER2SHOULDER, we will overcome these harsh 'conditions' we now face today----huskers and longhorns trying to 'extinct' us again....but WE shall 'prove strong' again and the "BUFFALO"
will once again prevail......why?........because.....we are colorado....glory, glory, colorado.........
Posted by buff4life on November 14, 2008 at 11:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
....in a BUFF COUNTRY dreams stay with you....like ralphie's herd across the mountain side.......stay alive..........but i can look and breathe, and see the sun in the winter time.....in a BUFF COUNTRY.......
Posted by NCHusker on November 14, 2008 at 11:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You are all on bigtime meds...OSU 45 CU 10
Mark it!
Posted by NCHusker on November 15, 2008 at 5:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
marked
Posted by Cornbred on November 15, 2008 at 7:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Try NU 56 KSU 28 LOOkK OUT CU u SUCk!