Get your last tailgate (brunch) of the year going early as not only is it an early kickoff, 12:30 P.M., they will also be announcing the seniors right after warm-ups at 12:10, so they can go into the locker room with the team and run with Ralphie before kickoff. Let’s send these seniors off with a rowdy home crowd for another beautiful afternoon at “the most majestic setting in college football,” as Mark Johnson introduces each week on the radio broadcast. [See the “Senior Day” post in the “Archives”]
§ High wind warning for Boulder on Saturday-up to 100 miles an hour! This could make tailgating interesting as well as the passing game for both teams, which probably benefits the Buffs somewhat as Arizona relies more on Nick Foles than we do on Tyler Hansen.
§ This Arizona team actually has a losing record, a rash of injuries, is playing a ton of freshmen it didn’t plan to, and overall looks just as pathetic as the Buffs do. But this game is in Folsom Field on Senior Day and this team is all too overdue for a win so if they are going to sing the fight song after a game, this is the one!
§ Before and throughout the game, fans from mostly the sections behind the CU bench (centered in 119) will vote for the Buff player who has shown the most heart, overcome the most adversity, and represented what it means to be a Buff, regardless of position or depth chart status. Although it has never been designated for seniors, it has always been awarded to one, starting with WR Darren Chiaverini in 1998 (last year it was Cody Hawkins; other past winners include QBs Gabe Leonard, Mike Moschetti & Joel Klatt, RBs Cortlen Johnson & Bobby Purify, LBs Thaddaeus Washington & Jordon Dizon and DBs Medford Moorer, Cha’pelle Brown and Ryan Walters). I had thought about a multiple-year-starter-captain-leader who had overcome injuries like Anthony Perkins, or an unsung hero like Patrick Mahnke or Travis Sandersfeld, or a give-everything worker like stud RB Rodney “speedy” Stewart, but my vote, surprising for some probably, is Tyler Hansen, who has truly given his heart and soul to the program. He gave us not just one, but two redshirts, part of his spleen and always great effort and attitude. And he did it all without ever bad-mouthing anyone, not even any Hawkins, keeping a positive outlook and forging forward, no matter the circumstances. After we all sing the fight song around 4:30 or so, the crowd will award the “Buffalo Heart Award” to Sr. QB Tyler Hansen.
§ Injury Update: We’ll have to just see who actually plays in the secondary-most everyone is listed as “day-to-day” and all have been reported differently during the week. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that Anthony Perkins will be able to play in his last game at Folsom Field.
§ Arizona believes this is their best chance for a win as well. They believe that Nick Foles can put up some big numbers, but also that RB Keola Antolin can put up some big rushing numbers as well. And, for some reason, they think their defense can keep us from scoring many point. Although CU has given up some big running plays this year, I just don’t think Arizona’s line or speed is anywhere up to the level of Oregon, Washington and USC, who had the most success running the ball against us. Likewise, when we are on offense, their injury-depleted defense will not able to hold us to the teens in points just because some other, much better teams did. Whatever it is, take the over.
§ Once again, much of the Buffs’ success will fall to the performance of the defensive line. Seniors Curtis Cunningham, Conrad Obi and Josh Hartigan need to lead and make a difference, limit the rushing attack and most of all, get some pressure on Nick Foles.
§ There will be at least 13 NFL scouts at the game, not to see which “4-5 seniors” Embree said will get a look from teams in the League, but mostly to watch QB Nick Foles, who also (like Andrew Luck) calls some of his own plays.
§ Speculation around who the 4-5 Buffs are seem to point to RG Ryan Miller for sure, with RB Rodney Stewart, TE Ryan Deehan, LG Ethan Adkins, WR Tony Clemons, QB Tyler Hansen (although I am very skeptical at the last two’s chances to succeed at the next level-Hansen just not talented enough with a relatively weak arm, and Clemons because he is very inconsistent and takes plays and practice time off).
§ Of the 28 seniors who will honored today, the one we will miss most of all, one who was almost unrecruited and unheralded, the man who was so vital to the offense, Rodney’s Stewart’s legs never stopped churning forward. He has been a do-everything for the Buffs, the all-time leader in all-purpose yardage. It will be very strange not seeing #5 lining up in the backfield next year. Good luck Speedy! Go Buffs!
§ Buffnik’s “uncensored” preview: http://www.allbuffs.com/content.php/1109-A-really-******-preview-of-CU-vs-Arizona
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