BOULDER – When the Colorado Buffaloes found out they were going to San Antonio to play in the Alamo Bowl they were given an expiration date on their season. That date is Thursday. For an embattled senior class that saw as many wins in their first three seasons as they did their last one, this week’s matchup with Oklahoma State marks the finale of their careers at CU.
While it’s hard for them to realize it themselves or put it into words, some of the younger Buffaloes are able to describe their elders’ legacy.
“I would like to say ‘thank you.’ Thank them for everything they’ve been able to do for me and this program itself,” sophomore and soon-to-be-star defensive back Isaiah Oliver said. “They’ve endured a lot coming in when the program was where it was and staying here for the whole time, rebuilding the entire thing. I would like to say ‘thank you’ from me, the younger guys, the younger guys coming in here next year for turning around this program and allowing us the opportunity to be a part of it.”
Two of the guys that are specifically responsible for turning the tide at CU are Tedric Thompson and Chidobe Awuzie.
“Ted and Chido are all in my class,” said Devin Ross, who redshirted a season. “I’m really motivated to go out there and play my last game with them, it’s going to be pretty emotional at the same time too. They put all the work in, they had great season and careers here. I’m proud of them and I want to go out there and get that last win so they get a brick and memories for the rest of their lives.”
“Catching my last passes from Sefo (Liufau) one last time, that’s gonna be emotional too,” Ross continued. “I’m excited to see what Sefo has for his last time.”
The way Ross conveyed his emotions, was reminiscent of the final “Want to have a catch?” scene from the movie “Field of Dreams”.
These players will be losing, granted to graduation which is a good thing, some of their “brothers.” To Ross and many other Buffs players, the only way they can come close to justifying their time at CU is to win the Alamo Bowl.
“It’s definitely gonna be emotional I already know that, especially since we haven’t been to a bowl game,” Ross said as he doubled down on his feelings. “All the stuff before the game is gonna be a great experience to be with my teammates and the seniors one more time. It’s gonna be motivation to go out there and execute for our seniors for sure. That’s what we’re doing it for, we’re doing it for them and really the whole Boulder community.”
But for Ross and the Buffs, it’s not about putting on for the past and present; they are putting on for the future of the program, too.
“We just want to take it all in because we’re not promised this same thing next year or any other year,” Ross said. “We have to embrace what we have. Everything has been fun, being with my teammates and my brothers knowing we earned this together. This is a milestone for us, a building block for the seniors, they created a foundation for us to keep building on this for the next few years.”
The expiration date might be approaching faster than anyone wants but all Colorado can do is try to enjoy the emotional experience that will be sending the seniors off.
